The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1901-10-17
Accused Ex-AIderman is Released on
Bonds of Three Hundred DOL
lars Thursday Evening.
VERY STRONG CASE is APPARENT
District Attorney Claims That Alleget
Confessions Will BE Used.:Agatnst
the Accused Man.

The arrest of ex-Alderman John
Caster which was noted exclusively in
the Evening News Thursday even
ing is the sensation of the day. The
arrest of Caster fell with dull sick
| ening thud on the men accused of
bribery as the action of the District
Attorney had been wholly unexpected.
Caster was arrested at the home of his
brother-in-1aw, John Orth. He was
greatly surprised when he was sum-
moned by the sherifs but he accom-
panied him to the Office of Court Com
missioner Baker without word and
listened attentively to the reading of
| the warrant. ~sSsSM -
| While the warrant was being read a
representative of this paper dropped
into the Office andIGaster turning to
him said: ''We11, I'm up against it
now" The ex-a1derman realized the
serious position he had been placed in
but he made an effort to keep up his
nerve. The court commissioner could
not be found for a preliminary hear
ing and for this reason Caster was
forced to go to the Jail and remain in
the custody of the sheriff for more
than two hours. He was not locked
up and was accorded every privilege
possible.
Shortly after seven O'Clock Caster
was taken to the Office ofsCommission-
er Baker and had hearing. He was
released on bail, the bonds being fixed
at three hundred dollars. The bonds
were ready at once and they were
signed by John Caster, Chris Weier
and M. Orth.
The arrest of Caster had thrown con-
sternation into the ranks of the men
accused of bribery and they gathered
on the street and discussed the posi-
BILE outcome of the case. The hearing
of Caster has been set for next Thurs
day and at that time the sevidence to
be used against the last arrested man
will be revealed. Caster was repre-
sented at the hearing Thursday even
ing by Jacob Kroncke, but it is stated
that Attorney Friedman, of Chicago,
will be his attorney when the case
comes up for preliminary hearing. In
the warrant Caster is charged under
| two counts, each stating he received
money from Gustav L. C1ausen for his
vote in connection with the passage of
the ordinance.
District Attorney Buckmaster, in
speaking of the case Friday morning,
stated that he thought there was
strong case against Caster. The con-
fession which Caster is alleged to have
made was witnessed by several people
and these people stand ready to take
the stand and swear to the words used
by Caster in telling about the transfer
of the funds.
| AS vet it is not known what effect
this arrest will have on the other cases
but it is more than possible that Gas
ter will be tried before the other cases
are taken up and in this event his tes-
timony will undoubtedly be used
against Pirsch and Smith.
The fact that the confessions of
Caster are to be made public will as
sure that other men will be placed in
| compromising positions and it is prob
able that other arrests will follow the
publication Of the sensational state
ments of the ex-a1derman now under
arrest.
The reports that are being circu-
lated to the effect that the other cases
are to be dropped are!without any foun-
dalton and the District Attorney states
that these cases will go on as soon as
material witnesses can be secured.
District Attorney Buckmaster is re-
ceiving the congratulations of the en-
tire bar for the, splendid manner in
which he has handled the cases and
his last coup has been very favorably
commented upon. City Attorney
Slater is also receiving a great deal of
praise and it is !a1so understood that
the men are fighting the case against
4 foa rf11 odds.