New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1903-04-01
NO new EVIDENCE GIVEN.
Testimony of Witnesses So Far
Given Varies Little From
Last Trial.
TANKE HOPES FOR ACOUITAL
Indications Point to Session OF
Several Weeks. Mrs. Tanke
at Court.


case was supported by many incidents
and facts brought out in discrimination.
Henry Spoerhause, bartender for
Richard Stengel of New Uln, testified
that the defendant came into the saloon
about $50 D. m. on the day of the cri ne.
Carl Fischer, who found the body of
Wellner the morning after he was MUIR
dered, was examined at some length.
Richard Bleraug,el father of Amelia Tan
Ike was the states next witness, both adj
herring closely to the testimony given by
them at the former trial at Henderson,.
Fischer described the appearance and
position of the body. ~ In
Only three witnesses took the stand on
Saturday afternoon. William Brinkman,
| a neighbor of Wellner's 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 60 to-
New Ulm. The state laid special emph-
asis on this testimony in order to bear
out the truth of It's contention that Tanke
made his first trip to New Ulm at about
4 p. m. , ....s..
This testimony was further strength
ened by that of William Bieraugel, 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 4:30 p. M, but Tanke failing
to put in an appearance Biearaugel left
for New Ulm alone@
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.
Since his arrest on Oct..1 /, 1901, Tanke
has been in the charge of three sheriffs.
From the time of his arrest until June 2,
| 1909, he was charge of Sheriff Mcmillan
in the Nicollet 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 The journal correspondent he
was eating his evening meal. He refrainec
from expressing himself definitely as tt
the outcome of the trial, although in
timating he was still hopeful.
"It all depends upon the jury," sale
Tanke in reply to question put him
He did not know whether the present jur!
would be more favorable for him than tn,
Henderson jury or not.
Il He recently had visit from his fathe
and sister, which he said he enjoyed. 81
also looks forward with pleas ure, he in
timated, to the coming of Mrs. Tanke
whom he has not seen since she wa
taken to Saltwater last July. It is hardl,
probable be will have an opportunity 0
seeing her, save in court, since it ha
been determined that she will not be con
fined in the Jail with her husband.
/ Mr.. Bieraugel was in the city Monda.
, and expressed the belief that the tria
would occupy the better part of tire
weeks and perhaps more. He thinks tina
the jury is composed of men who vii
| give verdict according to the evidenc
and will be honest. He does not expec
to see the prisoner acquitted.
+ While being cross examined on Mon
day Joseph Wild told Of attending
dance at the Wellner barn in: October
1898. Tanke was there, said the witness
, and danced q good share of the time wit
Mrs. Wellner.
"That's lie," spoke up the defendan
loud enough to be heard throughout tn
courthouse. 81 never was there" TIL
court had to call for order.
The witness afterwards said he wa
quite positive that Tanke was there, II
though he could not swear to it.
VIM. Willmert says he saw Tanke at
saloon ia Klossner on Good Friday i
1899. He showed the dice-box over I
the defendant saying as he d1dso, ..shoot
to which Tanke replied. Il haven't 60
anything 10 shoot; / threw it away. !"