The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1905-08-11
CAUGHT A QUARTET
Police Round Up a Naughty
Bunch This Morning,
They Were Occupying Quarters
at a Local Hotel.
0ae the Wome Wife OF a
Window Business Man.
He Was On The Scene When
Convey Was Unearihed.
From Mondays Daily.

in high life was laid in the municipal
court this morning, when two erring
couples from Window pleaded guilty to
the charge of disorderly conduct and
each of the quartet was sentenced to
pay fine of $l5 and costs. The fines
were paid by the men, and the quartet
took their departure,
All four gave assumed names, Oscar
Larson, Mary Amundson, Harry HUI
bert and Avis Powell. The publication
OF their real names would set the
tongues of the gossips waggmg in sever
al southern Minnesota towns. One is
an insurance man, the other man is
connected with telephone company,
one of the women is the wife of one
Of the best known of WINDOWS young
business men, and the other conducts
store there in her own name, while her
husband holds a position with a com
pany and is absent good deal.
The lady who gave the assumed name
of Avis Powell and is the wife OF
the business man is twenty years
old. and is very attractive brunette.
The so-called Mary Amundson is
blonde Of about the same age and is
young woman of many attractions
Neither one appeared to realize the hui
initiation of their situation as they
stood before the court and answered
the questions asked of them by Judge
Comstock They showed no emotion,
and when they sat down their para
mours Joined them and laughed and
cHatted as though they might have been
al soda water fountain.
How They Were Captured.
The manner of the capture of the
two couples was worthy of a Sherlock
Holmes, and was brought about by the
fine work of the business man whose
wife was one of the quartet. His wife
left home Thursday, ostensibly for st.
James. where her husbands sister was
sick. She went there and remained
two DAYS and then took the train for
Mankato, being joined by the other
three. On their arrival in this city they
sought hotel and the two women
registered as Miss Smith and Miss
Small Red Wing" and were assigned
a room. Their paramours registered I'M
der their own names at the same place,
so the proprietor was thrown entirely
off of his guard.
The business man was given tip
by a friend and arrived in the city on
the ) a.. IN. train Sunday morning. He
sought the different hotels until he had
found the right one. Failing then to
get police assistance for want OF evi-
dehce, he secured the room next to
that taken by the ladies, and waited for
three OF four hours in breathless silence
listening to the sound of voices Pres
emily he was rewarded by seeing
through his door that was slightly alar
his wife emerge from the next room ana
knock upon another door and present
IL return. Then he took his departure
hastily and returned to Window, where
he engaged the services of Sheriff Sc
version and Attorney ID. A. Stuart The
three returned to Mankato on the a.
IN. train today, and Messrs. Severson
and Stuart, assisted by Chief Donahue
and Officers Klughertz and Bienapf,
raided the rooms, with the help of the
proprietor Both couples were taken by
surprise, and the numerous witnesses
can give the testimony that would re
suit in the granting of two divorces.
Both couples were taken to the city
hall, and waited until nine o'clock, when
they We're arraigned.
Business Man Was Broken Up.
The business man was completely
broken up. He stated to The Free Press
that he had had suspicious concerning
his wife's conduct for some time past,
but had no evidence that would verify
them. He said that he would start pro-
ceedings for divorce at once His home
had been a most happy one, and his
wife had every luxury and inducement
to maintain the honor of the family.
An elegant home, her own horse and
carriage, a $500 piano recently presented
To her by her husband, and a social po-
siti6n at the very top of the Window
crust, ought to have made the life of
this lady a happy one and filled her
with that pride of home and name that
would have made her proof against any
dishonorable thought. Now she has
forfeited all, and her own good name.
She has no children to bear her dis
grace.
The other woman did not have the
same pleasant home environments, ac-