New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1902-02-05
CHANGE OF VENU E.
TRIAL OF FRANK TANKE is HOyED TO
siBLEY COUNTY. JUROR INSANE.
ONE HUNDRED YENIRE MEN EXAMINED

ONE HUNDRED vENIRE MEN EXAMINED
ATTY DAVIS, OPENING ADDRESS. WHAT
PROSECUTION EXPECTS TO PROVE.
Affairs in the Tanke case were sud-
denly brought to a standstill on Mon
day when Anton Rachel went violently
insane. He was examined by physicians
and is reported TO be bopelessly 50.
Confronted with he dilemma the
seourt and, attorneys for the state and
defense conferred the opening Of
court and by the consent of the attor-
neys. Rachel was discharged from the
jury: It was then proposed by the state
that the case proceed with eleven Jurors.
Mr.. Peck of the defense would not con-
sent to this. It was then suggested
a juror be drawn to take the place of
MI. Rachel, but the defense again OBJ
jected on the ground that there was no
statute to warrant such proceeding.
The court then took recess until af-
ernoon to permit the attorneys to look
up the matter and the attorneys for the
defense moved for change of venue
and the case will be taken to Sibley
county for trial. -.
Rachel, the Insane man, Is about thir-
ty years of age and was summoned from
Lake Prairie. He is a fine looking
young fellow and was regarded as one
of the best men on the jury. There has
been insanity IN the family. A sister
has been in the insane asylum. and y
brother committed suicide. The occur
rency is very unfortunate and is apt to
complicate the situation.
The cost Of the trial up to to-day has
been in the neighborhood of $1,000 to
$4,000. If it must be started over again
it will entail much larger sum. ="
In St. Peter there are great many
rumors afloat relative to what Mrs.
Tanke will do. One of there stories is
that she wants to turn states avidence.
It is said that few days ago Mr.. Bier
argel, her brother, who resides in Lafay-
cite, called at the jail to see her and af-
ter long talk she promised to turn
states evidence. It is said. too, that
her attorneys learned of this and advised
her not to carry out her intention.
The address of County Attorney Davis
is as follows, as reported by the St. Peter
Free Press:
"This is the highest crime under our
law-murder in the first degree. You
will either have to find him guilty as
charged or net guilty. There was a
farmer in Lafayette for many years call
ed John Wellner. Was killed in that
town sither evening of Dec. 81, 1898, OF
New Years morning following. His
wife named Emile Wellnerl survived
him. Since then she has changed her
name to Emile Tanke, having married
Frank Tanke. Grand jury last fall about
three years after Wellner's death have
seen fit to indict Frank Tanke and Emil
lie Tanke for murder IN the 1st degree.
Althoug b several years elapsed before
an attempt was made to bring the guilty
party to justice, remember that there
were many difficulties and our authori.
ties were batf1ed. In order to pass intel
ligently upon this most serious question
you must follow us step by step. Frank
Tanke had been working for Wellner
about two months previous to his death.
He was the sole and only hired man on
the premises. On Saturday he was work
ing for him hauling hay mostly. Emelie
'Tanke assisted in the work. About 4
o'clock on that Saturday afternoon
TaDke and Mrs. Wellner 90 into the
house, for the purpose Of the former
getting ready to go to New Ulm to at
tend one of the dances. Had made ar
engagements to 60 with VIM. Bieraugel
and was to meet him IN the meadow.
He did not meet VIM. Bieraugel who
kept his appointment. VIM. Bieraugel
saw Wellner in the meadow loading hay.
This was the last seen Of John Wellner
alive. He was found dead next morn
ing about 5 CLOCK. Bierangel spoke a
few Words with Wellner and then drove
of.
Eve will further show that. Frank
and Emelie Tanke claim that Tanke left
the Wellner house about 4 orl5 o'clock
and walked the entire way to New Ulm.
That he got there at 8 certain time and
went to certain places and did certain