Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1898-10-27

took recess for dinner. The morn
ing session had been short on account
OF the illness of one of the Jurors
Thos. Hunsaker. For the same reason
a two hours incoming was announced
which was afterward prolonged until
2:S0 O'Clock. Shortly before that hour
Judge Clementson entered the court
room. VIM. Holzer was already there
and had been engaged in earnest con-
versation with his wife. He accosted
the judge and asked to talk with him.
They sat down in two jurors chairs
and remained there short time con-
versing in low tones Meanwhile the
attorneys had come in and by their
looks showed surprise at the confer
ence of judge and accused. Mr..
Clementson soon arose and asked the
attorneys on both sides to come with
him and Holzer. They went into the
Clerk of the Courts office.
Very soon the jury filed into their
seats and the court room filled up
with its usual curious, expectant
crowd. For an hour they waited.
Finally at $50 the party returned and
filed into the room and took their
places. 1t was evident that an agree
ment had been made. Mr.. Gardner
rose and with considerable feeling
made formal offer to the effect that
the defendant would enter a plea of
guilty to one of the degrees Of homo
eide if he might first tell his story to
the court and the jury. The district
attorney consented to the proceeding
and Holzer took the stand.
The court room was crowded now,
but stiffness prevailed. All ears were
strained to hear the story of a crime
from him alone who knew the details
of the awful deed. 1t was remark
able and memorable. The Judge
was in his chair looking unusually
grave. The jury's attitude of dread
responsibility was relieved here and
there by looks of wonderment and
hope, that not on them would the
burden rest to state the measure of
this mans guilt. Around the tables
the lawyers were seated, their heads
bowed with new and startling res
possibility; behind them mourning
and desolate family group,-the wild
ow of John Fank whose intense grief
had so often during the trial relieved
its pent up flood in tears and sobs, and
her two daughters just merging into
womanhood. whose young lives are so
cruelty saddened and burdened by the
by the circumstances of their fathers
tragic death. Across the aisle from
them sat another family goup-a neat
and comely appearing woman of per-
haps thirty years with quiet manner
and impressive face which gave no
hint of her knowledge, thoughts or
feelings in the case.
Around her were her three children
-, Russell, and May Holzer whom
the defendant loved so dearly and to
shield whose feelings and reputation
from the shame and disgrace of testi-
mony about to be introduced he was
voluntarily surrendering his chance of
acquittal. The boys were too young
to fully realize the solemnity of the
occasion and their bright CHEEKY faces
were in strange contrast to all about
them. The girl was crying bitterly.
AS Holzer began his story all eyes
were turned to him. His pinched, sad
face was perceptibly brightended
through the influence of worthy mo-
tive The warmth of human SYM
pathy for him which he could feel all
about him seemed to Danish the
thought OF penal 5ervitude and he
told the story Of his troubles and his
crime in a straightforward manner
that convinced most hearers that his
words were true. Even the groups
of Bad Ian IS faces in the audience
were softened, his crime for the tine
was forgotten, the story of his wrongs,
misfortunes, and self-sacrIfce was up
permost in the minds Of all. Such is
human sympathy! He said in sub
stance: | was born in Ohio, left there
when | was Il years old. My father
lives near Preston. Pas not here he's
nearly dead with consumption. !
have lived in Lima for about five
years. Haven't much education, can
read and write. / have three children