The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-05-03
WITNESS ALMOST BREAKS DOWN
DR.. Stricken Describes Koch's Condi-
ton After the Murder.
Special to The Journal.

Special to The Journal.
Mankato, MINI, May 3:--More af-
fecting than any scene which the sec
ond Koch trial has yet produced was
that Of Yesterday afternoon, when DR..
O.. G. Stricken was on the stand. He
owns the building in which DR.. Koch
has his office, and shares a patients
waiting room with hlT
Frequently interrupted by his emo 9.
tions, which choked his voice until it
was scarcely; audible. and sent tears
surging to his eyes, Dy. Stricken told
his story, which was perhaps, more
damaging to the defendant than any
that has yet been recited here. When
General Childs asked the witness to
stand before the jury and illustrate
the manner of George r; Koch H, c4;o when en-
the Monday following. the murder OF
DR.. Gebhardt, DR.. Strickler said in a
low tone, while tears appeared on his
cheeks: "I could not give that de-
scription; the recollection is too touch
ing for me-
At the outset in his cross examina:
ton of DR.. Stricken, Mr.. Abbott asked
if the witness knew the Koch family.
the father, the sisters and brothers Of
the defendant.
~ do,'' said the witness. s
HYou have had the highest respect
for this family?v asked Mr.. Abbott.
stThe very highest respect" said DR..
Stricken, with emphasis.
"And you know, do you. not, that
George, the defendant in this action,
has always been a very upright young
man, correct in his habits?'
Dr.. Stricken hung his head and in
the marked quiet of the courtroom his
heavy, convulsive breathing could be
heard distinctly. -..'.s
Now, that isn't proper cross,examl'
nation,'' said General Childs, sharply
"and I object to it on that ground. -
ftThe objection is sustained,' said
Judge Cray.
Koch in Despair.
When General Childs asked him to de
scribe the next conversation he hat
with DR.. Koch, DR.. Stricken showed
more pronounced signs Of emotion. Thu
interview which he told about, will
hating phrase took place on the Mon
day following the homicide, and in DR.
| Stricken s office. ~ a
"What was the Defendants CONDITION
at that time, - asked General Childs
DR.. Stricken did not speak for severa
moments, and when he did, it was in ;
voice scarcely audible.
CT have no-no term to expires
his condition. he said. "You Nigh
say he collapsed, or was de
pressed. When I entered my office h
was standing, or walking up and down
Later he assumed chair. The wit
ness stopped, and General Childs asked
! HWhat was his apeparance2'
ellie was-well, should say de
pressed -
1 "What did he says"
"He said: FOh, Doc, I am almos
: daffy' [ went to him, and, as I di
not want to have any one see him i
that condition, I called DR.. Vogel. b
fore DR.. Vogel came the defendant wa
in chair, terribly agitated. When
entered he was walking in the waiting
room, swinging his arms violently
.What was done after that9D aske
, General Childs.
; 81 assisted DR.. Koch into the close
Of DR.. Vogel' S laboratory, because di
i condition. = said: Dr.. Vogel, won
J you take George homea We can't l.
, him go home in this condition. DR.. VI
; gel said to George: 'I,l take you HON
but WANT you to keep your head up.
General Childs asked DR.. Stricken
! describe the condition of the defer
i dant IS eyes when he was in a state c
! collapse. DR.. Stricken hesitated SON
, more. gulped, and said slowly:
His ewes were, l should say, pr
iecting. He was in great agony, an
his eyes protruded noticeably. The e,
: preston was vacant; it was, / think, a
: expression Of despair
Admitted Ownership of Kerchief.
. tsDid you ever have a conversatio
! with the defendant about the han,
3 kerchiefRo
3 g Yes, sir; DR.. Koch came to my doc
h a few days after the murder and aske
: me if remembered cocaine fer
I. who visited our offices, and wanted
{ know how long ago it was.
rs About, week or; ten days, T al
swered; what do you want to kno
i that fors He answered, 81 have q
idea he is the man who took my han,