The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-03-16
LAID HIS OWN TRAP.
W1ilmar Man Under Arrest for Inn
proper Use of Mails.

proper Use of Mails.
A. E. Bischman, formerly a student at
the University OF Minnesota, and now resid-
ing at Wilmar, Mimi, was yesterday
ahmed before United States Commissioner
Abbott on the charge of sending improper
matter through the mails, and was held to
the federal grand jury, bail being fixed in the
sum of $3.50.
1t was through an advertisement that Mr.
Blschman is placed in his present position.
Recently the following advertisement appeared
In the want columns of local paper:
A REFINED LADY, GOOD HOUSEKEEPER
desires position as either housekeeper or
light housework. Mrs. Reid, 527 Emerson
avenue north.
Among the many replies received by Mrs
Reid was one from a gentleman at Willmar
signing himself BOX 172:" In the letter
the writer stated his desire to secure a good
housekeeper, and in connection Herewith
made very indecent propositio2 &c Mrs
Reid, the acceptance of which should be one
OF the conditions upon which she should Sc
cure the position. Mrs. Reid was at first in
clined to destroy the letter and say nothing
OF it, but upon the advice of friends, the
letter was handed to one of the federal au-
thorltles, and plan laid to locate the writer
and bring him to justice
Upon the advice Of the authorities, Mrs.
Reld answered the letter to the effect that If
the writer would give her his proper name
ADDRESS and references she would consider
the proposal To this she. received a reply
signed by A. E. Bischman who stated that
ne had been student at the university from
1881 to 1885, and referring to President North
rop and several Of the professors as to his
writer would be in Minneapolis Sunday
March IA, and would then call upon Mrs
REID and make fnai arrangements.
This suited tbs authorities exactly and
last Sunday, the date set for Mr.. Bischman's
visit to Minneapolis, Mrs. Reid returned to
527 Emerson avenue north where she had
been living with Mrs. ]. H. Dow at the time
the advertisement In question was inserted
and at which address Bischman was to call.
There were present there in addition to Mrs.
Reid and Mr.. and Mrs. Dow, Postofice In
spector Wood and Deputy United States Mar
shall Henry.
Just before the noon hour Buschman ap-
peared, and was shown in,o the sitting room
by Mr. Dow. He stated that he wished to
see Mrs. Reid, and in a moment that lady
appeared and Mr.. Dow retired.
Il am Mr.. Bischman of Willmar," said the
caller introducing himself.
"Oh, yes said Mrs. Reid You wrote
these letters to me?" holding in her hand the
letters she had received from Bischman.
Bischman acknowledged that he was the au-
thor of the letters in question and as he
did so Deputy Marshal Henry stepped into
the room and placed him under arrest. The
conversation which had passed between the
two was heard by every one in the house.
and in admitting that he had written the
letters Bischman had already made possible
damaging evidence against himself.
When arraigned before Commissioner Abb
bolt yesterday Mrs. Reid was put on the
stand and told her story, in substance as
above Mrs. Dow and Capt. Wood corroborat-
ed her evidence in so far as it related to the
conversation which had passed between Mrs.
Reid and the prisoner.
w. F. Booth, attorney for the defendant
attempted to show that the offense alleged to
have been committed was not covered by the
statutes, and quoted many former decisions
to substantiate his argument. The court
however, thought that the statutes covered
the case, and, as above stated held Bischman
to the grand jury.
United States Attorney O'Rielly wanted bail
set at $1,000. and long wrangle ensued be-
tween the two attorneys, Mr.. Booth asking
that it be set at $500. The court split the
difference, and made it $780, in default of
which Bischman spent last night in the county
iai1