The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1905-01-13
MANKATO FREE PRESS.

1t is expected that the defense will
endeavor to prove that inasmuch as
these boys did not hear the screen doors
open or close that the murderer of DIR.
Gerhard must have been concealed be-
hind the screen doors when DIR. Koch
passed by, or perhaps that some person
suffering with a toothache went up into
DIR. Gebhard's office to have the molar
pulled. When partially under the in
fiuence of some anesthetic he became
violent, seized the hammer and assault
ed the dentist. While in his maddened
condition he cut and Smashed his pros
trate victim Realizing his awful work he
then escaped through the window of DIR.
Reineke's office
Not An Improbable Theory.
This is not an improbable theory
Persons have been known to become
crazed while not wholly under the in
fuence of some forms of anesthetics.
A case is cited of an actor of note, who
some years ago went to dentist for the
purpose of having an aching tooth pull
ed He was given an anesthetic and
when the ''man with pulls was in
the act of jerking the stubborn tooth
the actor became very. violent. He Jump
ed from the chair, seized the dentist and
was about to throw him out of win
dow. A lawyer in ain adjoining office
heard the screams of the terrified dentist
and rushed quickly to his assistance
The actor, on resuming his normal con-
dition, informed the dentist, that he
was fully aware of what he was doing
but he could not control himself. This
incident occurred in Wisconsin town
and the dentist often related it to his
friends.
Cecilia Martinka, one of the girls who
was with Polta on the night of the muir
der, told Attorney Childs that she could
read English, but she was German. She
demonstrated aftewrad that she could
speak the English language to the sat.
isfaction of all concerned She testified
that she heard screams in DR.. Gebhard's
office. When they reached The Review
office, a man came out, and went up
stairs, but she did not know who he was
Afterward she described the sounds as
'Oh! Oh! She admitted that she was
frightened. She reached her sisters
home about $3.50 O'Clock. She heard OF
the murder rthe' next morning, and re.
lated to hers mother and father what
had taken place the night previous
aaaThen a Detective Called.
Miss Martinka was next called upon
by a''detective to Whom she told the
story.o g3sfgno 7T
Under the guidancesof Attorney Som.
erville. Miss bNIartinka gave a detailed
statement of her movements that eve.
ming. WhehGlabout half a block from
Gebhard's Office they heard a noise. Polta
exclaimed: 'There is fight; let us
go over" Witness did not know what
time this. was. Witness did not know
Brooks. She saw a man go up the stair.
way, come down again and minute
later he was Joined by another man
They went up the stairs together.
The witness stated that the detective
who called on her gave her to under.
stand that he was employed by the city
He probably meant her to understand
the citizens committee She admitted
that he was a nice looking man.
Francis Roesch, comely maiden
whose home is in Lafayette, was with
Polta and Miss Martinka. She testi-
fled to hearing the screams They were
loudest when the party was half a block
away from DR.. Gebhard's office, and
grew fainter as the trio walked toward
the dentists place of business. When
they arrived at The Review office she
saw no one else thereabouts. She saw
Frank Behenke standing at the drink
ing fountain near the Brown County
bank. He was looking up towards DIR.
Gebhard's office. The witness described
the sounds. She saw two men go IN
the stairway.
Gave Somerville the Look.
When Attorney Somerville asked Miss
ROesch if she went into a saloon that
night, the girl gave her questioner look
that would make any not overly strong
minded man sink into his shoes. but the
attorney was not phased. He proved
himself "standpatter." The girl denied
entering a saloon, and her black eyes
snapped.
The next witness was Albert Kellar,
the young drug clerk whose name was
connected with the crime, but who is
as innocent as the babe unborn. Albert
is eighteen years old He was at the
Pfefferle drug store until 9:2O that
night, so he judged by the busses which
were enroute to the depot to meet
the 9:3o train. He was again in the