The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1905-01-13
WEAV|NG A WEB ABOUT DIR. c. R. KOCH
State Produces Some Very Damaging Testimony
Today---The Defense Is Upset BY the Evil
dence---The Defendant Squirms.
Especial to The Free Press.l

to interfere with the examination of
Attorney Childs.
The remaining half hour was TAX
en- up in testing the witness recollec-
tions of proceedings that took place up
on that particular day.
Bottle Again In Evidence.
The bottle was again brought into
evidence and Druggist Alvin was called
to testify concerning the bottle in the
shelf in DR.. Gebhard's office the morn
ing after the homicide. Mr.. Alvin stat.
ed that he was handed the bottle during
the coroner's inquest by DR.. Reineke, and
that he had looked at it for several min
utes, then handed it to Eugene Taylor
who had it in his possession few mo-
ments.
"You did not open the bottle when it
was in your possession"
mo, sir, l did not"
"Was it opened in your possession at
any timer"
"No, sir, 1 did not see it opened at
any time"
''Can you state positively that it was
not open?"
"No, sir, can not, because / was in
different rooms in the building at diff
ferent times, during this time"
George w. Barnes was called by the
state. He was first questioned concern
ing what his business was, and where his
offices were locaetd and informed the
court that he was connected with the
Minnesota Fire Insurance company and
the Accident Relief association of this
city. Mr. Barnes was then questioned
concerning the position of his office in
the postoffice block and also office of the
defendant, DIR. Koch
did the Mutual Fire Insurance COM
pany, have in its possession a Smith
Premier typewriter previous to the
homicide? ?"
''Yes, sir, it did.
"What was the style of this type
writer?"
at was what is called the policy ma
chine and had a very wide carriage.
This machine was returned to st. Paul
during the month of November
"What kind of ribbon was used on this
machine?"
81 do not know"
The witness then described the loca-
ton of the different offices with regard
to the insurance office.
'Did the defendant ever come into
your Officer"
''Yes, sir, very frequently"
H. p. Baird, manager of the Smith
Premier agency, st. Paul. He was ask
ed concerning typewriting machine made
by, his company. Witness was allowed
to describe the mechanism of the ma
chine when a key is struck and the diff
ferent ailments of the machine We're en-
tered into. Witness described it thoro-
ughly.
"Did your company receive letter
relative to the sending of this machine
to st. Paul?"
81 cannot answer this question in
telligentl because our communications
are received by the secretary, Mr.. Reed.
The witness was shown the address
on the package received by DIR. Gerhard
and described the alignment of the let
ter which was imperfect. He testified
that the company shipped machine to
the Mutual Fire Insurance company of
New Ulm on Oct. l6, 1904.
Could Have Made the Letters.
Witness was shown ribbon on the
machine and asked if it could have
been used to make the letters upon the
package and he stated it could.
"When did you get the machine back
in st. Paul?"
"Nov. lst, 1904.
Witness then made letters upon the
machine as follows: CDR. L. A. Gerhard,
New Ulm, Minn.," the repetition of the
ones on the package of the box received
| by DIR. Gerhard. Childs then showed
witness the box and asked the question:
"Were the words upon this box made
| by the typewriter in question:"
eyes, sir"
! Witness was cross questioned by
Somerville at this time and forced to
state in what capacity he had been en-
ployed by the Smith Premier Co. and
at what place.