The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1904-11-25

tend that the murder was committed
by Koch say that professional jealousy
was the motive. 1t is said that Koch
was forced to close his branch office at
Hanska because his patients were trans
ferring their patronage to Gerhard in
New Ulm. 1t is said that Gerhard made
the remark to a friend that he was get
ting quite a number of Koch's patients.
Another story is that Koch was at
Hanska about the time that Gerhard re-
ceived the bottle supposed to have con-
tanned poison, and which was mailed on
a Minneapolis & st. Louis postal car, a
fact which was established by Detective
Rydell. These things are condolences
to say the least.
Discussing Koch's Alibi.
There are people in New Ulm who do
not hesitate TO discuss Koch's published
statement giving his whereabouts on the
night of the murder. They do not seem
to comprehend how a person could go
rabbit hunting on a dark night, as it GER
tainly was not moonlight night, and it
is questionable whether one would be en-
abled to see with any degree of salts
faction Koch is willing that he shall
be arrested because he feels absolutely
certain that jury of fair-minded men
could do nothing else than prove him in
nocent He is not at all fearful of the
result.
Attorney Popham made the following
statement:
"There is a chain of circumstances
throwing suspicion on DR.. Gebhard's
rival, but they are simply incomplete at
this time. l am satisfied that there will
earthed as the work progresses and
have simply advised that arrests be
postponed until the case is complete"
The Chicago man will probably stay in
the city a few days longer and then I'M
less he finds his services required further,
will return home. The advice of the
Chicago expert is considered by County
Attorney Hoidale's friends as vindica-
ton.
Mr.. Hoidae has believed all along that
there is not at present enough evidence.
to justify an arrest.
Why People Talk.
New Ulm people have got through
discussing the sweating process to
which Koch was subjected on the after
noon when County Attorney Hoidale,
City Attorney Somsen and Attorney
Somerville, who was retained by Koch,
got together and proceeded to investi-
gate the case. Not a police officer, not
a detective, not even the sheriff was al
lowed to be present The people are
free in their criticism of this manner of
procedure, inasmuch as Somsen is Koch's
brother in law, Hoidale is Somsen's part
ner and Somerville is Koch's retained
| 0ouiooi. IIs'u Vic ehiel VI pOilct, the
sheriff and Detective Rydell been present
at the inquiry, the people would have
| been better satisfied
Popham at Fifty Per Day.
George Popham, the Chicago attorney,
will receive $50 per day for his services.
This will be paid him by the committee.
1t is expected that within few DAYS
a Pinkerton man from ST. Louis will be
on the ground and he will work in con-
junction with the committee of five. 1t
is believed that the committee will work
on the theory that a New Ulm man COM
mitted the deed 1t is expected that in
a day or two the committee will have
$4,000 at its disposal
The meeting of Saturday night has de-
veloped two factions in the CITY. One
of these is making considerable noise be-
cause the meeting was held and the
committee appointed, and the other en-
dorses the massmeeting and the COM
mittee.
The citizens committee has commenc-
ed work on the Gerhard case with vigor.
They met in the law office of Albert
Pfaender for several hours yesterday to