The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1898-01-27
KOCH PLEAD GUILTY.
SUDDEN TERMINATION OF THE
BRIBERY CASE.
MINIMUM FINE rs ASSESSED.
Koch Gets Of EASY by Paying $500 Fine
and Costs-Chicago Parties of Note
Appear in His Behalf and Put Up
the Money to Satisfy the Pine.

| After all the talk and buster about
the case of attempted bribery against
A. Koch, the slot machine man, the
case took very unexpected turn this
morning. The preliminary hearing
last Friday morning was quite sensa-
tional and from it the lawyers and 9TH
ers interested in the case supposed that
a very strong fight would be made, but
the events of the day show that the
men who have been influential in
defending the case against Koch have
given up the fight and. Koch has paid
the penalty or his crime. The first
indication that the end was at hand
was met with Friday afternoon, when a
plumber of Koch's friends came down
from Chicago to attempt, if possible, to
save the gambler from serving a term
in the states prison at Waupun. AS
soon as this committee, which came
from Chicago, was made acquainted
with the circumstances of the case,
they realized that the evidence against
the man was of most serious nature
and they at once made an effort to
bring about a compromise. For this
purpose they at once went to District
| Attorney A. E. Buckmaster and eX-
planned their mission. The committee
was headed by Henry SEVERN, mem
Der of the Board Of Equalization of the
Sixth district of Chicago, and consisted
of several we'll known residents of Chi
cago. They presented letter from
Circuit Judge of Chicago explaining
that they were all beyond reproach
and that their statements in regard to
the man Koch were worthy of his care
| full consideration. The men stated
that the prisoner had a splendid repu-
tation and was man who had never
been in any like tronble at any time in
his life. They also urged that he be
treated as leniently as possible Oh &C
count of his family, which are said to
be in a very pitiable condition. The
agreement was finally reached that the
man should plead guilty and the attor-
ney for the prosecution would ask that
the lightest penalty for the crime be
imposed. The men, having made this
arrangement, at once dismissed AttOr-
neys Lloyd ana Heyer, who had prom
sed to give the public a pyrotechnic
display when the case came up for
trial.
The case came up in Justice Penne-
feathers court this morning at 10I
o'clock and the defendant waived eX-
animation and asked that he be bound
over to the Circuit Court. He was re-
turned to jail and the papers were at
once drawn up which would allow the
man to plead guilty before the County
Judge. The case was hurried and the
case was before Judge Slosson at IL
| O'Clock. Koch appeared and the in
dictment was read and the Judge eX
planned the law in regard to the crime
of which he was accused. Koch plead
guilty and Attorney Fisher, who has
acted for District Attorney Buckmaster
asked that the lightest punishment
under the law be placed upon the pris
oner. Koch then stood up and Judge
Slosson sentenced him in few words,
stating that corruption was the great
est enemy of the public welfare and
that the foundations of society rested
on the purity of the officials of the law.
The fine Was placed at 5000. The
costs amounted to 5000. The fine
was at once paid and Koch at once
took the train for Chicago.
1t should be said in favor of Koch
that during the trial he has acted in a
very gentlemanly manner and has
made no small objections on account OF
the way III which the attorneys of the
defense attempted to conduct the trial.
Before leaving he stated that he had no
enmity for any of the officials, but he
thought that the action in his case
would have quieting influence on the
gambling devices in the city.
This abrupt settlement of the case
gives general satisfaction, and while
the punishment is not deemed any too
severe for the crime, the circumstances
of the case were of such nature that
all right minded people should be sat
isfied with the outcome.
Coming Dances.
Al III