The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1902-01-03
THE ARSON CASE.
Preliminary Hearing OF the
Buckh0ltzS.
The State Forced to Disclose Its Hand
Early in the Game---The
Testimony.

The examination of Fred and Geo.
Buckholtz who are charged with set
ting.6re to the barn and other out
buildings of VIM. Seefeldt of Medo,
was commenced before Judge Shissler
of the municipal court this forenoon
at ten o'clock. The state. was repre-
sented by County Attorney Wilson as
sisted by A. R. Pau ST., who was en-
gagged by Mr.. Seefeldt W. E. Young
and W. R. Geddes looked after the in
terests of the defendants There was
a large crowd present, many coming in
from that neighborhood, where much
interest is taken in the case.
The complainant, VIM. Seefeldt was
the first witness called, and he was ex-
amined by A. R. Pau on the part of
the state. He gave a description of
the buildings on his place, how locat-
ed, and those that burned, also the d.
rection and distance the two defe nd
ants lived from him. Said they were
sons of his sister. His testimony as
to the occurrences on the night of Sept
4, 1901, when the fire took place, was
in substance as follows:
Said he had been at home all day
and was at home during the evening
and night of the 4tb. The other per-
sons at his home were his wife and
hired man. Everything was appar-
emily all right when he went to bed a
little after nine o'clock. There was
nothing to attract attention. His wife
went to bed soon after he did, and
shortly after heard the dogs barking.
Woke him up and said they were max
ing a good deal of noise. She went
out on the porch but saw nothing and
went back to bed. A little later, saw
light on large window and got up and
looked out and saw barn on fire.
Called him and he got up and called
the hired man. This was about IL
O'Clock. When he looked out the new
barn was in flames, also the horse barn
and straw stack near the new barn.
Directed. his efforts to saving his pro-
perty, but they could do little. Said
Fred Buckholz and wife were the first
to come to his assistance and they
helped some. Nine buildings in all
were burned. also windmill and tank.
Only granary and house were left
Heat so great it broke windows in
house next to fire.
After the FIRE they went into the
house and Fred Buckholz said he
looked out and saw light at witness
home Looked a little later and saw
none. A little after that saw reflection
on his barn and looked out saw wit
ness building on fire. Others who
came were Herman Schultz, and thu
Trembach boys. Said Herman thought
they ought to arouse the neighbors ant
offered to go, but Fred Buckhol1
thought he ought to go. Soon afte
this others came and among them tn
defendant Geo. Buckholz. He lait
down by the gate and said "Hello
you have pretty bad luck" Witnes
said 1.-THE man set this fire ought t
be tied to broncho an
torn all to pieces. DEPENDENT droppe
his head and said not word. Sal
he had talk with George few day
after, on the 9Th he thought. Was re
turning home from Mapleton, whe
George stopped him and said that he
1.-THE witness) had been telling aroun
Mapleton that George had set the fir
and that he must take it back. Sal
witness and wife wanted to send hiI
over the road and added: 81 al
smarter than you and I fixed you.
Also talked with Fred. Fred said tn
fire must have been set inside the ha
NOW also asked witness what he wen
to Mankato for.
Afterwards he went to Mapleton an