The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-12-14
SAY MURDERER
WAS A MANIAC
Defense Seeks Evidence Implicat-
ing Louis Spreng as Geb-
hard s Murderer.
His Home Searched for Blood.
stains Grand Jury Swears
i. First Witnesses.
Special to Tho journal.

Special to Tho journal. 44zsF
New .Ulm, MINI, Dec. 14.-Persons
connected intimately with the defense
in the murder case brought against DR..
Koch profess to believe, and in some
instances confidently assert, that they
have found the real murderer of Dr..
Gebhard in the person OF Louis Spreng,
now an inmate off the state hospital
for the insane at Rochester.
1t was to see 7Spreng and to identify
him, if possible, as the murderer that
Henry Somsen, attorney for DR.. Koch,
and A. P. Brooks, the friend of the de-
PENDANT, went to- Rochester early on
thur F. Tilton of the hospital and held
long conference with officials at the
institution, visiting the ward where
spreng is kept. 7-6es ~ 49,.
Brooks denies the story that he told
friend while at Rochester that the
man who murdered Gerhard was in that
place. Every effort has been made since
but both he and Mr.. Somsen have as
| sumed sphinx-like silence and say they
have nothing to reveal as yet.
t" Searching spreng's Home.
That the defense is following up a
clue which it hopes will clear DR..
Koch is evident from the fact that it
today sent an attorney and detective to
the home of Mrs. Spreng, mother of the
| insane man, to look for bloodstains and
any other evidence that would support
murderer. The woman was highly in
dignant and ordered them to leave the
place and not return.
Spreng was in New Ulm on Nov. l,
| the date of the murder, and was com
mitted to the hospital on Nov. FL. He
, is 38, single, of light build and blonde
hair, corresponding only in remote de-
gree, apparently, to the description of
the murderer given by the witness,
Brooks. Spreng 81 mother says he was
at home the night Of the murder and
that an alibi can be established.
| It is known that the defense had no
success at the Spreng home in gathering
evidence that would. implicate him in
the bloody affair. He had long been
simple minded and was sent to ~Roches-
ter at the instance Of young woman,
whom he annoyed with his attentions.
He was not known as a malicious char
acter and his mother asserts he was
quiet and inoffensive. f.,s---.-
Jury Takes First Evidence.
The grand jury took up the. case
against DR.. Koch this forenoon. County
AtCOlISJ t*14o4ldlc tsAOI Lldlly ISuOuuccu
all connection with the. hearing, and
stated that former Attorney General
Childs would represent the state. ~
The first witness was Miss Lydia
Schappenkahm, employed by DR.. .Geb-
hard in his Office She, testified that
| the hamm er used by, the murderer did
! rot belong to Dr. Gehhard.
Asa P. Brooks, who saw the muir.
derer, was the next witness.
William Gavanaaagh; a plumber, who
was called by.Brooks and saw the back
of tho nnufderer3as he was preparing to
| fly from the scene Of the crime, was also
sworn this forenoon. o''.9,' -
%. @, mo Indictment for Assault. I. =,
No Indictment has been returned
against the sheriff and chief Of police
for the alleged assault in the Jail upon
! DR.. Koch. The matter was considered
late yesterday afternoon. The officials
may be~censured in the jury's report.
AS near as can be learned the state
is making a point to establish the ex
act time when the murder was com
mitted. The witnesses have been close
ly questioned along this line.
The :. jury. may be engaged. the re
mainder of the week with the case, as
a mass Of: evidence. is to be taken. Elk
perts are coming tomorrow from thu
east. If an Indictment is found and
trial decided upon at this term, it will;
in all probability not. take place unit
January.