The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1905-05-05

| Cross examined, the witness said that
DIR. Koch took up his office at Hanska
two years ago. He came twice month
at first, then once month, then once
in two months. He had not been there
for two months previous to his last
visit. Witness had told him that he
had IA lot of work for him. He usually
came to Hanska on Thursday, but that
time he came on Friday.
Mrs. Kasz Saw the Hammer. a.
| Chief Klause was recalled by the
state. He knew Catherine Kasz. Was
present at Mayor Silverson's house two
weeks after the homicide. Mrs. Kasz,
Mr.. Rydell and another lady were pres
ent Witness had showed Mrs. Kasz the
hammer in evidence at that time, and
no other hammer.
Cross examined, Mr.. Klause said that
he and the detective were looking for
evidence and went into Mayor Silver
sons garnet to see Mrs. Kasz. He didn't
know who the other woman was. Did
not produce Mrs. Kasz at the trial at
New Ulm. Was employed for some
time, getting evidence for the state.
Mr.. Rydell was recalled by the state
and said that he was present at Mayor
Silverson's residence at New Ulm when
the hammer in evidence was SHOWN to
Mrs. Kasz. No other hammer was shown
her.
| Cross examined, witness said that he
was employed in getting evidence for
the state until January. Was trying
to get the hammer identified Did not
produce Mrs. Kasz at the New Ulm
trial.
More Hammer Testimony.
Edgar Dingler of New Ulm, twenty
four years old, and whose whole life has
been spent there, said that he has been
teaming for ten years past. Hauled
gravel for E. G. Koch in 1908, after mar
vest, taking it from the hospital and
drawing it to Mr.. Koch's barn. Was
hauling the gravel for day and half
putting some of it in the barn to be
used as a floor. Threw some in the
door and some in the window. Saw a
hammer lying on the window sill, where
| was throwing in the gravel. Witness
described the hammer, saying that one
claw was broken, pieces broken from
the face, and that it had home made
handle. Witness identified the hammer
in evidence as being the one that he saw
at the barn. The defendant was work
ing in the barn, spreading out the grav-
ell. Witness was threshing at Sleepy
Eye at the time of the murder, return
ing a week later.
On cross examination, witness said
that he had lived all his life time within
a few blocks of school house, but had
not gone to school much. Had been
teaming for himself for the past four
years. Lives at home and is unmarried
that he hauled the gravel to Mr.. Koch's
barn, if it was after harvest.
Don't know" replied the witness.
"Was it in June?"
Don't know"
"Was it in May?"
Don't know"
"Was it in April?"
/ Don't know"
"Was it in March,"
"Don't know"
"Was it in December
Don't know
"How large was the window where
you threw in the gravel?"
"Never measured it."
''Was it four feet square?"
Don't know"
"Was it six feet square?"
Don't know"
"Was it ten feet square?"
at wasn't that big"
| ;.4n
gravel into the door on the south side
of the barn, he was standing on the
west side of the barn. Saw E. G. Koch
take the hammer to pull some nails out
of dump plank. Saw the hammer
once again at the Herman's monument
picnic grounds in 1904. 1t was in an
old kitchen on the floor. Witness did
not know what month the picnic was
held, but it was held in the summer.
/ Witness claimed he did not know
whether it was in January. He finally
said that it was the last picnic of
the season, after harvest and just be-
fore cold weather. Saw the hammer
next four weeks after the homicide Did
not tell Rydell at once that 1 knew the
hammer, because / didn't want to.
Saw it at the police station, and said |
was not sure that it was the hammer.
1t was at the Dakota House when |
got sure. Didn't decide to "mix in it,
until my father told me that if | knew
anything about it / should tell it. For
got at the New Ulm trial to testify
about seeing Koch pull the nails. Re-
membered it the next day. | am work.
ing in a livery barn at Golden. Have
been in lots of places in the last four
weeks. Had lots of ''pards,' and rode
on freight trains.
"How long have you worked in the
livery barn at Cobden?"
Twelve days"
"And that is the only work that you
have done in the last four weeks, isn't
it?"
Il planted some potatoes at nome"
"How many hills?"
A Few Denials.
Witness said that he remembered 90
ing into Engelbert's saloon in December
and asking for Rydell. Did not say
that | knew anything about the ham
mer, nor that | wanted to be sure of
the reward before l said anything about
it.
did you cay to Fred J. Enbel in
Sittour & Hammond's saloon, about
| Dec. LIST last that Won were a witness in