The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1903-03-27
Wells Is Considerably Agitated Over a
Tragedy Near Walnut Lake.
Charles EberIein a Prominent Farmer
Was Shot Wednesday.
His Body Is Found Lying In His Boat
BY Two Neighbors.
Act Supposed to Be the Result Of
Trouble in Vicinity.
From Fridays Daily.

From Fridays Daily.
Wells is considerably agitated over
a tragedy which took place at Walnut
Lake. hunting resort about six miles
south of that city. The Wells Advo-
cate gives an account of the affair:
"Wednesday forenoon word was
brought to town that Charles Eberlein of
Walnut Lake had been found dead under
suspicious circumstances. Mr.. Eberlein
is a well known character of Walnut
Lake, was a great hunter, kept boats to
rent, and entertained hunting parties.
Tuesday afternoon he left home with
boat to hunt ducks in the creek near
his place. He did not return home that
night. and Mrs. Eberlein became greatly
alarmed. She started out and cot c.
Harper to begin search. Mr.. Harper
secured the assistance of Il couple of
neighbors. After brief search they
found Eberlein and his boat. The boar
was in the creek about IA mile from his
home and about two or three rods from
shore. MIR. Eberlein was lying in the
boat in an attitude that clearly indicated
that he was dead.
''Ihe body was not disturbed but II
team'was Immediately sent to Wells for
Coroner Holm. Dr. Holm was taken to
the place with all possible dispatch and
proceeded to make preliminary investi-
CATION. Eberlein was found to be dead
had with him his shot gun which was
loaded and cooked. 1t became apparent
at once that it was not a case of accident
OF suicide, but that there had been foul
play 1t was well known fact that
Eberlein had not been on good terms
with some of his neighbors, there had
been various outbreaks in the past. and
local feud seemed to exist Eberlein
seemed to be regarded with considerable
aversion and fear by some of his neigh
bors. 1t was quickly concluded that the
man who shot him was not far distant
A little quiet investigation soon made
out case against Bert Ronk, SON in
law OF Frank Whipple, an old resident of
Walnut Lake, and near neighbor of
Eberlein. Ronk is young man appar-
entity about twenty five years of age. He
came to Wells yesterday and staid all
day. In the evening he took room at
the Leland Hotel He was arrested at
about three O'Clock this morning by Mar
shall Dwyer. and is now confined in the
Wells jail. pending further investiga-
matter quite cody. and was quite ready
to make confession He signed Il
written statement, covering two or three
pages of note paper, which is in the pos
session of DIR. Holm, and will be used at
the coroner's inquest.
'Ronk alleges that he and Archie Whip
pie. son of Frank Whipple, We're out
hunting, that they passed near where
Eberlein was stationed, that with
out provocation Eberlein fired upon them
several times. That they started to
run. and he turned around and fired one
or more rifle shots in the direction OF
the blaze of Eberlein's gun We under
stand that at this writing Archie Whip
pie has not yet been arrested. The
coroner's inquest will be held today and
County Attorney Bulls of Blue Earth
was notified to be present. Of course the
matter will be thoroughly probed and
sifted. Mr.. Eberlein was stout, heal
thy, middle aged man, and leaves a
widow and four small children. He
also leaves several children by Il former
wife. None of the children by the first
wife are at home.
ct is interesting to recall that in view
of the trouble in his neighborhood ne
had remarked in joking way to a num-
Der of our citizens that he expected to