The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1904-11-11
New uIm's Iraqedy.

the Staying of DR.. L. A. Gerhard, the
young dentist, at New Ulm. So far as
known no tangible clew or evidence has
been secured by the authorities that
would warrant them in placing anyone
under arrest and charging him with this
most awful crime. 1t must be conced-
ed that the officers have worked most
diligently on the case, and have followed
out every bit of clew that has been
brought to their attention. One thread
after another has been taken up, and
these have proven so weak that moth
ing has come of the inquiries, and the
police officials are at sea.
We do not wonder that the people of
New Ulm are greatly excited over the
affair. Murders have occurred in that
city before, and the perpetrators were
zens are more than anxious to apprehend
the murderer. In this they display the
proper spirit. They could illafford to
allow this crime to 60 unpublished.
Their feelings can be readily appreciat
ed, and when they took it upon them
selves to call massmeeting whereat the
public could take some action which
might lend assistance to the authorities,
they could not be blamed, as peculiar cir
cumstances at that time surrounded the
case
This was one of the most remarkable
and sensational murders that has ever
been recorded in the history of the north
west. A young professional man, bear
ing spotless reputation, a character
that had never been blotted by wrong
act, so far as the public at least has
been able to ascertain, one who appar-
emily had no enemies, but on the con-
trary was held in the highest esteem
by everyone, is murdered in his own Of
flee at comparatively early hour in the
evening, after a struggle which lasted
but a few minutes. In the closing act
of the tragedy the murderer is seen by a
newspaper editor leaning over the life
less form of his victim whom he had cut
and slashed almost beyond recognition.
The murderer made his escape from the
building by window, leaving no
trace. He soon became lost in the dark
ness. His identity is undetermined. A
bloodstained handkerchief was left in
the death-chamber. This piece of linen
bears the initials of rival dentist, who
has since given an account of his where
abouts on the fatal evening, and has
furnished an alibi that seems to be most
complete. This alibi has been related
to newspaper men. The detectives have
not as yet been given an opportunity
to discuss the case with the young
man whose name has been dragged into
the affair in such a disagreeable man.
ner. But no one in New Ulm has OPEN
ly expressed the belief that this young
man had any connection with the crime.
He bears most excellent name. He
is the son of most respected parents,
and his standing in the community is
of the best. And from all that can be
learned there was no ill-feeling between
himself and the dentist who was so
brutally slain. Thus there could be no
motive for the act on his part, and the
detectives have thus far been unable
to locate any motive for the crime. Geb-
hard had no enemies; he had never in
jured anyone, and who could there be
that was seeking revenge?
One of the regrettable features of this
affair is the feeling that has been en-
gendered in New Ulm. Factions have
been created and certainly these do not
result benefcially to New Ulm or any
other community. The people of New
Ulm should lend every assistance posi-
BILE to the authorities to the end that
the murderer of DIR. Gerhard shall be
apprehended, his trial and conviction
follow, and that he be speedily punished.
Martin NJ. Pratt Mapleton's aged
veteran of the civil war and of the