The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1905-01-20
SAYS IT IS A Pipe
Continued From Page Three.)

home. He was put on the stand and
stated his father lived in Germany and
that he was doing chores at the Koch
home for his board
Hettaus swore that the occupied a
bed in the room used by the Koch broth
ers and that the clock in the room is US
ually fast.
This witness testified that he saw
Koch after supper on the evening of the
murder, shortly before ten o'clock. They
exchange greetings as George came into
the house. George went up stairs at
ten o'clock. Witness said he afterward
compared his watch with Professor
Schaller, Detective Callahan and Mr. Sill
version. This was on Nov. 10 and there
was but a moments difference. 1t was
learned on cross examination that Koch
remained in the house about thirty five
seconds and then went out.
Impeach States Witnesses.
Frank Behnke went on the stand and
testified that he did not see Miss Mar
tinke and Miss Roesch that evening after
nine o'clock. They had testified that
they saw Behneke near the Brown Coun-
ty bank after nine o'clock
Witness thought that when he came
out of the billiard hall he had noticed
two young ladies and gentleman in
front of Och's store.
Witness said when he went to get the
light for the officer it was ten o'clock.
''When you were in the room did
Weisenbrim say: There is live man in
the room?'"
Witness replied yes and he said every
body ran down stairs
''IIow long was this before you look
ed at your watch?"
at must have been about seven min
utes."
''When you looked for the light, no
one had been in the back room?"
mo"
Prof. REIN testified that he saw moth
ing unusual in the appearance of Koch
the morning after the murder.
New Ulm, Jan. l3.-Since the opening
of the Koch trial the attorneys for the
defense have received scores of freak let
tiers. One came from Minneapolis wom-
an last night and declared that the &C.
R. X" handkerchief in !Gebhard's office
meant nothing, as she left it there while
she was in the room earlier in the eve
ming of the murder. She could not tell
any more about it, for it would break
up happy home. The letter was a
sample of a score or more that have been
received.
One of the witnesses for the defense
yesterday was Anton Horsak, the shoe
maker, who said that at about $50.
which is earlier than DR.. Koch appeared
on the scene, on the night of the muir.
der, saw this man enter the stairway
leading to the scene of the deadful crime.
The defense will try to show that the
stranger waited until DIR. Koch went by,
then tramped heavily up the stairs, muir
dered DIR. Gerhard, left the pencil and
handkerchief and escaped, leaving all this
damning evidence against the second OBJ
ject of his hate, DIR. Koch.
The defense has summoned several
handwriting experts.
After the state had rested its case
Attorney Brown moved for directed YER
dict for the defense. Judge Weber de-
MED the motion.
1t is the general opinion in New Ulm
that the jury will disagree. Should this
be the case, another trial will be had,
probably in some other county.
DIR. Koch's sweetheart, Miss Fitzpat-
rick, a pretty young lady, was in the
court room yesterday and when oppor
tunity presented itself, she talked with
her lover.
The opening address of Attorney Som
erville for the defense occupied about one
hour and half. Among other things
he said:
demands the life of George R. Koch.
1t is not incumbent upon him to prove
his innocence. If there is reason
able doubt of his guilt you must ac-