The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1904-11-18
Relatives of Dead Dentist Re-
tain Lawyer Of Chicago.
Attorney George Pompan Ex-
pected Within Few Days.
More Evidence Said to Have
Been Collected.
Especial to The Free Press. ]

New Ulm, Nov. Lett is quite likely
that climax will be reached in the
Gerhard murder case within the next
two or three days. 1t is reported that
chain of circumstantial evidence has
been linked together that warrants the
authorities in making arrests. 1t was
given out today that George M. Pom
pan, wellknown criminal lawyer of
Chicago, will reach this city either to-
morrow or Friday and he will proceed at
once to interest himself in the case. At
torney Pompan has been retained by the
relatives of DR.. Gerhard, and he is said
to be man who acts vigorously when
employed.
This evening a number of the promi-
nent citizens of New Ulm will hold a
meeting for the purpose of discussing
the situation, and to raise a fund for
the purpose of prosecuting the search
for the murderer of Gerhard. 1t is the
purpose of these men to leave no stone
unturned
1t is said that the evidence against a
certain party here is becoming more and
more conclusive, more so in fact than the
public has any idea of. '9@5''
Detective Rydell, it seems opposed a
change in attorneys in the case. He
stated to Mayor Silverson and Presi-
dent Eibner of the council that the in
vestigation had reached a stage that it
was deemed inadvisable for County At
torney Hoidale to step out of the case.
New Ulm, Mimi, Nov. l5.-Since the
latest cocaine fend suspect in the DIR.
Gerhard murder case has proved that he
was not in New Ulm on the day of the
tragedy, officials and detectives have
about Abandoned that theory of the
mystery and are casting about for new
clues or working upon others more or
less familiar to the public.
Sheriff Julius and A. p Brooks have
returned from Osceola, Wis, and de-
clares that the alibi of Thomas Thomp-
son, who says he is from Albert Lea,
is above suspicion. Thomas produced
witnesses to show he was not in New
Ulm on Nov. | and Mr.. Brooks could
trace no resemblance between him and
the man he saw plunge a knife repeated
ly into the neck of DIR. Gerhard.
Some of the detectives have insisted
from the outset that the kerchief found
in the murdered dentists apartments
furnished the only tangible clue brought
to light, and are now returning to that
phase of the case which has given Dr.
George r. Koch so much prominence.
Despite the fact that DIR. Koch's alibi
has been made good by several reputable
witnesses and that a committee, compos-
ed of county commissioners aud men of
affairs and standing in the community
exonerated him after an exhaustive
examination, it is asserted that he may
be arrested this week and subjected to
court proceedings.
A step of this kind means that Asa
P. Brooks, the New Ulm editor, will
also be arrested as accessory after the
fact, in that he knows who the murderer
is and is shielding him. s,,ss - 10
A Thiel detective agency man has
Photographic exposure of three new
suspects and as soon as they are devel-
oped and printed, will present them to
Mr.. Brooks for Identification No one
here yet knows who will be brought under
suspicion by this proceeding. The pic
lures may be ready some time this af
ternoon.
While the local excitement has sub.
sided to some extent, there are almost
as many rllmors affoat as ever. The
latest is that the person sending the
bottle of poisoned medicine to DIR. Geb.
hard has been found The chief of po-
lice says he knows of no such discovery
and the report is not credited.
No Confession Made.
This afternoon report reached Man
kato that DIR. Koch had made a con,
fession, following his arrest. This re.