davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1901-12-06

went out into the main hall off from
the private hallway. Her sister ran
back to get her pet kittens. Hearing
noise down the hallway, she looked
down and saw Pickett closing the door
to the bathroom.
On cross examination by Mr.. Cham
berlain, the witness described the first
Mrs. Pickett as woman about her
Town height, possibly about 8 feet a
inches, and rather slender.
She testified further, that when she
opened the bathroom door she pushed it
fully three quarters open. She stepped
partly in and the flames rushed over
her head, singing her eyebrows. Turn
| ing back, she met her sister and cried,
'My God, Mrs. Pickett is dead and
is burning up in the bathroom - She
made no attempt to save the Pickett
children, but told them to hurry out
as the house was on fire.
| When she came back into the hall
there was considerable smoke in their
hallway. She did not try to save Mrs.
Pickett and was positive that she was
already dead They looked down the
hall on hearing a noise. The door to
the bathroom was partly open and
Mr.. Pickett reached into the room and
pulled the door shut. A boiler fell
down or was pulled out by Mr.. Pickett.
So far as the witness knew, the re-
lations between Mr.. and Mrs. Pickett
were pleasant She had never heard
any quarreling in the Pickett fiat and
thought she would have heard any
such quarrel, especially if the voices
were loud. She was quite positive
that she could distinguish between
choking or gurgling sound and the
noise of vomiting in the Pickett fiat
even if the door was closed. The wit
ness was certain that although there
were flames about Mrs. Pickett her
night gown had not yet caught fire
when she looked in. There was no
gasoline or kerosene stored in the bath
room.
Just before adjourning for noon
Judge Elliott asked the witness:
"How long was it after the noise
ceased that you saw Mr.. Pickett in the
hall2"
about two minutes answered
the witness.
The cross examination of Mrs. Mel
son was continued in the afternoon.
Maria E. Harvard, who occupied
the hat directly beneath the Picketts,
testified that she heard noises as if
some one was being choked. This
illness claimed that she heard quar-
reliug for an hour and half before the
fire. Then she heard scream, some
one cried, "My God p then there was
the choking noise, then the sound of
body being dragged across the floor
and then the opening of door.
Effie Shepherd and Lizzie Flore,
occupants of the building where the
Picketts lived testified in corrobora-
tion of Mrs Nelson so far as hearing
noises were concerned, but they could
not hear the words uttered. as Mrs.
Nelson said she did.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1901-12-06
PICKETT'S TRIAL.
1t Begins in the Minneapolis
Court.
The Case Seems to Rest Upon Cir
cumstantiaI Evidence, as None
Saw Murder Done.

The taking of evidence in the
Pickett murder case began yesterday
morning in Minneapolis, County At
torney Boardman having opened the
case for the state late Tuesday after
noon. There is little public interest
in the case. Outside of the witnesses
and others having business in the
court room there we're not over fifty
people present.
Reuben G. Pickett, the prisoner, a
man of quiet and even impassive
demeanor, was surrounded by bevy
Of feminine relatives, among them be-
ing his wife, mother, sister and
mOther-in-law.
On the opposite side of the table
were seated a group of women sum-
mOned as witnesses for the state.
Most of them occupied the same fat
building as the Picketts at the time of
the FIRE in which Mrs Pickett lost her
life.
The first witness sworn was W. E.
Stoopes, assistant county surveyor,
who has prepared a diagram or plan of
the premises at SIC Eighth avenue
S., where Mrs. Augusta Pickett lost
her life fourteen months ago. Howard
B. Chamberlain, counsel for Pickett,
objected to the introduction of any
evidence in the case. He contended
that the indictment did not state facts
sufficient to constitute public offense,
in that it did not state the manner nor
the cause of death. 1t was further ar
gued that the prisoner was entitled to
know on what charge he would be
compelled to defend himself. The OBJ
lection was overruled by Judge Elliott.
Mr.. Stoopes testified as to the di-
mansions of the rooms and their rela
tive location. The Picketts occupied
three rooms in the rear of the fiat.
Opposite the door to their apartments
was a bathroom in which the body of
Mrs. Pickett was found by the fremen.
This bathroom is across the hall from
the rooms where the Picketts dwelt
1t is a small room about 615xS feet
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1901-12-06

the floor space between the bath tub
and the opposite wall being about four
feet by eight feet long. -
Following Mr.. Stoopes, the state in
troduced Mrs. Mary Nelson, the most
important witness for.the prosecution
The.witness was very'rsure .on matters
Of trifling.-importance, butesapparently
wasstrying.to tell what,shes conceived
was..the truth. She testified that she
andsher ter.-occupied :, three rooms in
from. and The Picketts ad.three rooms
in.the. rear Of thessssbnilding. :. There
was a. door connecting the two suites,
but this was always locked. Mrs. Mel
son and her sisters .werelsengaged..-in
dressmaking. -,.ssrsI.s '.s-z.s
On the night Mrs. Pickett was
burned, Mrs. Nelson was. awakened
by noise and heard scuffling and
sounds of choking and gurgling in the
Pickett fat. Later she heard moan.
Her sister, who was awake, asked:
''Do you hear that noiseP"
eyes. have heard it for long
time, - replied Mrs. Nelson. The wit
ness thought that burglars were in the
house and that they were killing Mrs.
Pickett.
Both sisters were much frightened
bat the witness thought the noise and
scufling continued for ten minutes.
The sister wanted to open the hall
door, sbut Mrs. Nelson objected and
suggested instead that they look over
the transom or open The front windows
and scream for help.
The sister, however, went to the
kitchen and opened the door. Hearing
the door creak, Mrs Nelson hurried
out and went into the kitchen and
then into the hall. Pickett came
down the hall toward her, pushing the
children. He was partly undressed.
He said: "For Gods sake, save my
children.
The witness said: 81 asked What's
the matter2' ThensI ran to the bath
room. The door was closed, but l
opened it by turning the handle. There
was no lock on the door, but there
was latch on the inside. Mrs.
Pickett was lying on the floor near
the head of the bathtub. There were
flames around her, but her night-gown
was not burned. Her hands covered
the upper part of her head and her
eyes were closed.
Mrs. Nelson said she then ran back
screaming fire, and told her sister
that Mrs Pickett was dead and was
burning up in the bathroom. She and
her sister ran to save their things and
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1901-12-06
REAL ESTATE TRANSFERS.

Warranty deeds filed:
Cornelius Kelly to Ellen J. Brooks,
lot one, block one, Davis & Coy's add. :,
for 81, 000
John G. Phillips to Chas. Ross, sw4,
ne4, and five acres in sell, nw4, sec.
26, Pleasant Mound, for 81, 200.
Nicholas Juliar to VIM, Bluhm, n15
sw4 and s1a, nw4, sec. II, Beau
ford, for Sc, 600.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1901-12-06
SOCietV....

The reception given in honor of Mr..
and Mrs. Reynolds at the residence OF
Mr.. and Mrs. Lorenzo Burrill OF
Kerns, Nicollet county. Nov. 26, was q
complete success. Those present were
the following:
Mr.. and Mrs. John Reynolds; Mr..
, and Mrs Frank Jefferson and daugh-
ter, Irene; Mr. and Mrs. Norman Door
and family; Mr.. and Mrs. Geo. John.
son and family; Mr.. and Mrs. Jesse
Keene and family; Mr.. and Mrs. Ned
Rist and family; Mr.. and Mrs John
Wright and daughter; Mrs. Fred
Whitcume and family; the Missse
Mildred and Bessie Purrier and Miss
Amanda Drake; Messrs. q. and W.
Drake, O. Door, W. Durham, F.
Loucks, D. and c. Purrier, J. and G.
Belts, c. Randell, G. Omstock, S.
Hudson, R. Hughes and others.
Those from abroad were Mrs. Clar.
ence B. Payne of Tacoma, Wash Miss
| MfIIlO L OStOl VI luuldA LdhO NIL
and Mrs Bert Tidland of Mankato.
Mr.. and Mrs. Reynolds were welcom-
ed and congratulated by many friends
all wishing them happy future. The
evening was delightfully."- spent il
playing games, music being furnished
by the Messrs. Dunnam, Drake, Jeffer
son and Tidland, accompanied by Mrs.
Jefferson at the organ.
A most delicious lunch was served
between ten and twelve o'clock
Everyone enjoyed themselves very
much and thank Mr.. and Mrs. Burril
and SON. for their deligent work ant
plan of entertaining. The only thing
we do regret is that Mr.. Reynolds will
not take up his old position as butter
maker of the Kerns creamery, but thu
best wishes of their many friends g
with them.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1901-12-06

Supt. Uline presented his report for
November, showing the attendance to
be as follows:
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1901-12-06

Among other things, Supt. Uline
said:
During the past two months I have
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1901-12-06
OFFICERS ELECTED.


| Wilkin post, G. A. R., last night
elected the following officers for the
ensuing year:
81. S. Eldred, commander; S. 81.
Grannis, senior vice; John G. Jones,
Junior vice W. P. Coffin, chaplain;
I. G. Peart, sergeant; M. Hanna,
quartermaster E. B. Cooper, officer of
! the day; Frank Rollins, officer of the
guard; Fl. G. Tibbetts, E. D. Wilmot
and I. c. Peart, delegates to the state
encampment; G.. L. King, J. G. Lewis
and Geo. Parrett, alternate delegates
to the state encampment; W. N. Ply
mat trustee for three years; Thos.
Hodson, trustee for two years, Gen.
! j. Fl. Baker, trustee for one year.
The membership of the post is in
creasing through the coming back of
former members.
The Woman's Relief Corps held it's
annual election last night with the
following result:
Mrs. 7. G. Peart, president; Mrs.
Jane Grant, senior vice Mrs. Abbie
Bean, junior vice Mrs Nettie Mead,
treasurer Mrs. Mary j. Welsh, chap
lain; Mrs. Elmira Walker, conductor;
Mrs. Cora J. Fritz, guard Mrs. Mans
field and Mrs. J. A. Lewis, delegates
to the state convention; Mrs. Clark
Keysor and Mrs. Elizabeth Oliver,
alternate delegates to the state con-
vention.
Blue Earth encampment No. 73O,
Modern Woodmen of America, held it's
annual election Tuesday night and
chose the following officers:
D. G. Davies, venerable consul; N.
A. Frost, worthy advisor T. J. Jones,
esteemed banker; W. j. Jones, clerk;
G. A. Keene, escort; W. G. Clark of
Kerns, manager for three years; E. W.
Owen, manager for two years Drs. J.
S. Holbrook and E. D. Steel, physi-
clans.
Superior lodge No. 8. Degree of
Honor, has elected the following off.
GERS for the ensuing year:
G. of H., Mrs. Barbara j. Bowen L.
of H, Mrs. Cora J. Nixon; G. of c.,
Mrs. Rosalia Phillips; recorder, Mrs.
Mary L. Lang financier, Mrs. Emma
Nichols; receiver, Mrs. Tillie Ter
williger S. NJ, Mrs. Minnie Gerlach;
l. W., Miss Anna Throdahl o. W.,
Mrs. Theresa M. Voolfolk trustee Mrs.
Clara E. Widell; representative, Mrs
Alice Bradley; alternate, Mrs. Nettie
NJ. Davis captain of the degree staff,
Mrs Alice Bradley.
This is the eighth time that Mrs.
Mary Lang has been elected to fill the
Office of recorder. which is an evidence
that she must be competent and
faithful officer, and that the lodge ap-
preciates the good work that she has
done
Court Undine No. % V. o. F.,
elected the following officers last
night: Chief ranger, Mrs. E. Barn
ard past chief ranger, Mrs, E. Foley;
vice chief ranger, Mrs. Pass secre-
tary, Mrs. NJ. Eichstaedt; treasurer,
Mrs. A Kuhn; chief archer, Mr..
| Thomas chaplain, Miss Title Swan;
inner woodward, Mrs. Olson outer
woodward, Mrs. Johnson physician,
Dr.. J. S. Holbrook court deputy,
Mrs. E. Foley.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1901-12-06

systematical arrangement. If there
was any posi- bility of introducing this
course in the schools next September
it was time that the board was max
ing arrangement for it.
Mr.. Fletcher asked where the work
could be done.
President Davis said that there is
room in the basement of the high
school building, but that this was a
matter for the committee to report
upon.
Mr.. Davies said that if manual
training could be introduced in the
high school it would be the means of
getting many more pupils to go to the
high school for two or three years at
least. He was in favor of adopting
manual training because of its general
success and the favor with which it
has been received by the public wher-
ever it has been introduced. He was
satisfied that it was just what the
Mankato schools need.
Mr. Fletcher said that the high
school course is loaded down now, and
asked whether German or some other
subject would be thrown out to make
way for manual training.
The motion to adopt the report was
carried by vote of four to two,
Messrs. Fletcher and Keysor voting
"no.
The special committee was con-
tinued, on motion Of Mr.. Comstock.
Superintendent Report.
Supt. Uline presented his report for
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1901-12-06
DEATHS ROLL CALL.

Mr. and Mrs. John Mccarthy of
Madison Lake lost their three months
old child Tuesday. The funeral took
place from the house Wednesday after
noon.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1901-12-06

Geo. Derby sold his quarter section
of land for $50 per acre to Mr.. Shores,
Ceresco. The sale was made through
q. P. Christensen. He bought it a
year ago for $50 per acre.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1901-12-06
DEATHS ROLL CALL.

Benjamin Laube of Decoria died yes
terday afternoon of stomach trouble of
nearly two years standing. He was
sixty three years old and leaves wife
and eight children. He was an old
resident OF the county. The funeral
will occur from the German Lutheran
church at two o'clock tomorrow after
noon.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1901-12-06

Miss Nina Cowgirl entertained sixteen
young ladies Tuetday evening in honor
of her 18th birthday. Dainty refresh
ments were served, games were played
and very enjoyable evening was
spent.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1901-12-06
ADVERTISED LETTER LIST

List of letters remaining uncalled fol
at the postoffice at Mankato MINI.
for the week ending Dec. 9TH, 1901.
Anderson, Mr.. :; Anderson, Chris
Andrews, Miss Roa.
Behnert, Chas. Bruggeman, Geo.
Conner, VIM.
Davis, NJ E.
Everett, Edward.
Firth, Mr.. & Mrs.
Harris W. N. Hawkes., Miss Ada.
Johnson, Mrs A. G. (2); Jones,
Mrs Everett; Jones, Fireman.
Kid, FL. B. Knutson, Miss Mar
garet.
Palmer. R.; Pettis, Miss Mary
Peterson, P. G.
Schaefer, Miss Ida; Sivertson, Mrs
Thompson, VIM.
Vine, V. V.
In calling for the above letters please
say 'advertised' and name the date
of this list. One cent extra will be
charged for each advertised letter.
Letters remaining unclaimed at the
expiration of Is days from date will be
sent to the dead letter Office.
L. P HUNT Postmaster
The Van Buren press., 1901-08-17
GA = II oRIA,
Bears the Hhs Kind You Have A!xays Bought
signature Of &ZzN

The recent rains put enough water
into Lees Creek to cause it to flow over
the dam several inches deep,
Mr.. and Mrs. Geo. Conklin left
Wednesday for Los Angeles, Calf. =,
where they expect to live in future.
Misses Agnes and Lydia Walsh ar.
rived Thursday from Little Rock on a
few days visit to Van Buren, friends.
James White, Bryantsville Ind says
Dewitt s Witch Hazel Salve healed
running sores on both legs. He had
suffered six years. Doctors failed to
help him. Get DeWitt's. Accept no
limitations. II. G. JOHNSON.
Miss Mamie E. Mayors of Fort Smith
spent part of Sunday in Van Buren,,
guest of Mrs. Durham.
Miss Florence Chew after an extended
visit here to the family of her uncle, left
Monday for her home at Ell Dorado,
Ark.
Earl Ward left Tuesday afternoon for
West Ford, where he expects to spend
a few weeks IN the hope Of benefitting
his health
A lame shoulder is usually caused by
rheumatism of the muscles and may be
cured by few applications Of Cham.
berlain s Pain Balm. For sale by JOHN
O. KANE, Druggist.
W. j. Bryant, for several years prin-
cipal of the Van Buren, colored school,
died Wednesday night at Alma from
consumption.
Harry Pernot has gone into the
wholesale Photographic supply business
having purchased an extensive stock
first Of the week.
II our growers do not get into good
circumstances financially this year 1t s
because they do not know how to take
care of what they have.
The Van Buren press., 1901-08-17

Il had a severe attack Of bilious
collie, got a bottle Of Chamberlain 8
Collie, Cholera and Diarrh9a Remedy,
took two doses and WAS entirely cured, -
says Rev A. A. Power Of Emporia,
Kan. My neighbor across the street
was sick for over q week, had two or
three bottles of medicine from the
doctor. He used them for three or
four days without relief, then called in
another doctor who treated him for
some days and gave him no relief, so
discharged him. went over TO see
MIN the next morning. He said his
bowels were in terrible fix, that they
had been running off so long that 1t
was almost bloody fux. asked him
If he had tried Chamberlain 8 Collie,
Cholera and Diarrhpa Remedy and he
said No. went home and brought
him my bottle and gave him one dose
told him to take another dose in 10 or
20 minutes II he did not find relief but
he took no more and was entirely cured.
/ think it the best medicine | have ever
tried" For sale by JOHN O. KANE,
Druggist.
The Van Buren press., 1901-08-17

A wedding Is scheduled for next We'd
nesday In which Rob Jones and young
lady Of Fort Smith will play prominent
parts. THE PRESS wishes 10 advance to
extend It's congratulations.
The Van Buren press., 1901-08-17
CASTORIA
For Infants and Children.
Tho Kind You Have Always Bought
signature s..,. ,.: ., AzZzZx

Not another season should DO allowed
TO pass, without operating the canning
factory. Thousands Of bushels Of
peaches not good for shipment but en-
cellent for canning purposes have gone
to waste In the orchards surrounding
Van Buren,. These peaches, " canned
would not ALONE furnish market for
this waste fruit and give employment to
many hands but would, IA prospects
now ARE, yield u handsome profit to the
man or concern that operates the plant.
Beside, what Is going to waste now will
be doubled next year with even smal
lar crop per acre, The matter OF oper'
atins II should be taken up this fall,
The Van Buren press., 1901-08-17

Rich Reece was In town first OF the
week and gave out the statement that
the heirs 10 the Robinson estate, who
own the burned corner 9th and Main,
had perfected arrangements to erect
three one.story buildings, ssxsO feet as
soon a. men and material can be
secured Mr.. Reese, who has been
making his home ut South McAlester,
expects TO move his family back TO Van
Buren, before long.
The Van Buren press., 1901-08-17
GA 9ToEIA
Bears ,b. 11he Kind You Have Always Bought
''', 4 &HzZzM

Remember, II you have not already
given In your assessment you must do
so before next Tuesday rs on that day
the assessor closes his office.
Saturday and sundays rains amount.
ed In Van Buren, 10 I 20 inches. There
was a heavy rain Sunday mp Frog Bayou
that raised the creek several feet.
Eruptions, cuts, burns, scalds and
sores Of all kinds quickly healed by
DeWitt's Witch Hazel Salve. Certain
cure for piles. Beware of counterfeits.
Be sure you get the original-DeWitt's.
II. G. JOHNSON,
The foundation for the new Stater
building near the head Of Main street is
nearly completed and the work OF build
ing the superstructure will not require
long,
A good many hogs are reported dying
along Lees Creek west and north OF
Uniontown from what is called cholera,
but indications are that more than like
" mast worms are the cause.
The cotton crop looks the finest that
has been seen In several years. Even
on the uplsnds the plants are large and
vigorous and setting bolls profusely'
The only danger now is from the boil
worm.
Mrs. s. II. Airport, Johnstown,. Pa.
says, Our little girl almost strangled 70
death with Group, The doctors said she
couldn' live but she was instantly
relieved by One Minute Cough Cure,
Il, G, JOHNSON.
Marriage license was issued Saturday
by the county clerk to Joe Roastingear
and Miss Mary Sanders. Mr. Roast
ingear il a prominent Cherokee, who
has many acquaintance among our
merchants,
Col. II. =. King has let the contract
for the wiring and switch boards to be
used IN his new opera house TO +. NJ
Masters of Fort Smith. II will require
a complicated system Of switches and
wiring for the stage illumination, etc
Az soon ~ the county is able hnan'
cially m addition should be made to The
court house 10 that better accommoda'
ton can be given the jurors The pre-
sent jury rooms are nothing but sweat
boxes during the hot days IN June, when
ono OF the terms Of court IL held
A number OF views showing the peach
industry Of Crawford county have been
taken by Photographer Clark for Park
Crutcber, one of the state commission
ara for tho 81, Louis Exposition Cuts
aro to be- made from these photos to be
used In illustrating literature treating
Of the resources Of the county
~ Won have u baby IN the house yon
,,,iil wish 10 know the best way "
cheek any unusual looseness Of the
howals or diArrhpa no common to small
children, O.P.M, Holiday OF Deming
Ind, who has Nm ll-months-old child /,
snys, Through the months or june
ana .Julv our baby WAS teething aud
,"ok RAINING Off Of the bowels and
.tc J. ,sss M the stomach. Hls bowels
,,,onlI moye from avo 10 eight times 4
S WU | mad n bottle Of Chamberlain 9
|,I,e Cholera and Diarrhna Remedy
G ~ ,h. honSs and gave him four drops
IN n tenspoonful Of water and he 20,
hatter nt once. - For sale by JOHN
4 O'RhNr Druggist,
The Van Buren press., 1901-08-17
RAILROAD TIME TABLES.
MISSOURI PACIFIC.

MISSOURI PACIFIC.
GOING WEST.
so osl. Arr. S;27 pm. Depart Ss5 pm.
~ 599 =" Hl0s.m. 3;l5am.
10. 24s, " li2S am. stops al van buren,
GOING EAST.
IA 90 Arr. 100 pm. Depart, l:35 pm.
" 59i 1870 am. 1925 g. m.
~ NJ Ifiill Local Arr. lE25 am 220pm.
GREENWOOD BRANCH.
Loc AIT ' AZ Gra peps5a S S pm
Ne 1.l Daily except Sunday.
Trains 2sl, 2s2, 2ss, ga run daily
mains 2i3 and pa do not run on Sunday.
rains 2Sl, 1872 233 234 243 and pa will carry
,aseneers. Pullman sleepers on 233 and 234
RRs,ough tickets on sale TO all points For fur
"e' p. J. ONEILL, Agent.