The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1901-07-26

sons rooms Just pleasant social
time. Rooms were not frequented by
men, only by boarders and few
friends Did not examine the body of
the man found and did not know who
it was. Said he was dead, but did not
know why he did so. Thought he saw
blood beside him. Admitted he was
not much excited over the affair. Did
not notice the nature of the injuries.
; Walter Daniels, of the police force
was next called. He related how Mr..
| Castor came to him at city hall and
I, told him there was a man..dead or dead
drunk in the rear of Ait South Front.
Said this was about 80 a. m. De-
scribed finding the body of John Wi
dell Sent for Coroner Kennedy and
Dr. Holbrook Talked with Miss Ellef-
son about the affair and found her
considerably excited. Searched the
rooms but found nothing out of the
way
| L. A. Linder-Had seen John Widell
two or three times on Friday. Paid
him $34. SO on Friday, also 800 on
June II, also $50 day or SO later.
Said John told him he had bought
some land. Did not know whether he
used the money or not.
Warren Fuller-His testimony did
| not differ materially from statement
given in Free Press Saturday evening
Joe Lang-Said he saw John Widell
at Klondike saloon Friday night about
nine o'clock. Claus Widell was with
him. There was no trouble there
From there they went to Larson's.
Here there was a sort of scuffie, and
Widell was struck but was not
scratched.
Henry Dreher-Said John Widell
was at his place about II 80 Had his
hat on then. There were two small
blood marks on left side of his face
and blood was running down. Took
him back and had him wash his face.
Widell was there but few minutes.
Took drink and went out. Appeared
to have been drinking, but could
handle himself all right Saw him go
by about ten minutes before he enter
ed the saloon. Did not notice any blood
or scratches on his face Thought he
would had they been there.
Mr.. Cole-Knew John Widell. Had
been around town with him some.
Knew Carrie Ellefson. Said Widell
had gone to her place four or five
times in the last two months. Always
called in the evening. Asked witness
once not to mention where he had
been.
H. Pomadt-Knew John Widell.
Was sitting out in front of F. G.
Heinze's restaurant Friday evening
shortly after eleven O clock and saw
him go by. Walked as though he was
somewhat intoxicated. Leaned over
one side little. Had hat on then.
F. G. Heinze-His testimony did
not materially differ from that of pre-
vious witness. Thought deceased had
on light linen coat when he saw him.
Frank Hotaling-Knew John Widell
by sight Saw him at Henry Dreher
place Friday night. Did not notice
any marks on his face at that time.
John Fischer-Knew Widell also
Miss Ellefson. Took his meals at her
place. Said they rushed the growler
there some. Had seen Wiaell there
Mr.. Adams-Am painter. Roomed
in one of Mr.. CASTOR rooms up to the
first of July. Take meals at Miss
Ellefson's. Was not up for breakfast
Saturday morning. When he went to
dinner Miss Ellefson told him that
CASTOR had found dead man that
m orning and that it was John Widell.
Said they did not know how he was
killed Saw Widell at her rooms once.
That was about the first of June.
Had not seen him since There had
been some quarrelling there but moth
ing serious. Said the "growler" was
rushed occasionally. There were gen.
orally several present on such an occa
sion. In all the talk about the death
of John Widell they all claimed no one
was up at the rooms Friday night.
Had not heard them advance any
theory as to how Widell might have
met his death.
Mr.. Olson-Knew John Widell and
saw him at Klondike saloon Friday
night. Did not see him after that
Thought he wore vest when he sa W
him.
Gus. Widell-Gave John 800 time
check on July 9Th. There was some
$52 on his person when body was
found Thought the time check was
in addition TO what Mr.. Under paid
him at the bank.
DR.. A. o. Bjelland read sworn
statement signed by himself and DR..
Holbrook, describing body when found
and the nature of injuries, the sub
stance of which has heretofore been
given Said death was caused by con-
cussion of the brain and pressure of
blood between the skull and brain.
Thought all the wounds on the face
might have come from a fall. 1t was
possible they could have been so made
The injury over the eyes would cause