The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-03-30
net IS TIGHTENING
State swears Fischer, Who Found
Wellner's Body, and Several
Other Witnesses.
Tanke Declares It All Depends on
the Jury and Is Hopeful
Of Acquittal.

Special to The Journal. w..
st. James, MIMI March 3O.-Trial of
the Tanke murder case was not resumed
until this afternoon. The state sWore
several witnesses and its theory OF the
case was supported by many incidents
and facts brought out In the examination.
Henry Spoerhaust, a bartender for Rich
ard Fengel of New Ulm. testified that the
defendant came into the saloon about $3.50
p m. on the day Of the crime.
Carl Fischer, who found the BODY OF
Wellner the morning after he was muir
dered, was examined at some length.
Richard Bieraugel, father Of Amelia
Tanke was the states next witness, both
adherng closely to the testimony given
by them at the former trial at Henderson.
Fischer described the appearance and
position of the body. .~ -
Odds and Ends Of Evidence. a@
Only three witnesses took the stand on
Saturday afternoon. William Brinknan.
a neghbor Of Wellners at the time Of the
crime, told Of a conversation which he
overheard between the defendant and
Wellner then told Tanke he had better
go into the house and get ready to go to
New Uln1. The state laid special enph-
asis on this testimony in order to bear
out the truth of its contention that Tanke
made his first trip to New Ulm at about
4 p. m.
+, This testimony was further strength
ened by that Of William Beraugel, the
last man to see Wellner alive. The wit
ness had previously arranged to meet
the defendant at the Wellner house or on
the meadow at 430 p. M, but Tanke fall
ing to put in an appearance Biearaugel
left for New Ulm alone. e..
Miss Josephine Hansen was on the
stand to testify to the condition Of the
weather on the night in question. She
said she plainly heard the ringing Of
church bells six miles distant in the early
part of the evening.
-s Not at All Cast Down.
Since his arrest on Oct. II, 1901, Tanke
has been in the charge of three sheriffs.
From the time of his arrest until June 2,
1902. he was a charge Of Sheriff Mcmillan
In the Ntcolet county jail at st. Peter.
On that date he was transferred to Hen
derson. Sibley county, where he remained
under Sheriff Gaffke until March %, 1908
when he was brought to St. James. Sher-
if Forsyth now has him in charge.
Tanke Is the sole occupant Of the jail
In the basement of the courthouse. Wher
visited by T e J ournal correspond
emit he was eating his evening meal. He
Irefrained from expressing himself definite
ly as to the outcome Of the trial, although
tntinating he was still hopeful.
1T all depends upon the jury" sale
Tanke In reply to a question put him
HE dld not Know whether the present jury
would be more favorable for him than the
Henderson jury or not
He recently had a visit from his father
and sister, which he said he enjoyed. HI
also looks forward with pleasure, he in
timated, to the coming Of Mrs. Tanke
whom he has not seen since she wa.
taken to Saltwater last July. 1t is hardl,
probable he will have an opportunity O.
seeing her, save in court, since it ha,
been determined that she will not be con
fined in the Jail with her husband "-."--~'