The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1906-06-29
Judge w. L. COmstOck Severely
Reprimands Offender.
STREETS MUST BE MADE SAFE.
Gang Of HoodIums Frle Upon One
Who Would Protect Lady
Friends.

Chauncey Fowles was arrested late
last night by Officer Klughertz on COM
plant of three young ladies who were
returning to their homes from the opera
house, and who said that he had grossly
insulted them-so grossly, in fact, that
the larger one of the three had slapped
his face Fowles and several companions
were standing in front of block IA, about
the time that the performance at the
theatre was over, and when the three
Young ladies came along the latter
claim that he stepped out in front of
one of them and with an oath said
that he would like to take her home
with him, or words to that effect. She
slapped him roundly, and he then used
language so foul that they absolutely re-
fused to repeat it to the officers. They
at once crossed to the city hall and re-
turned with an officer and pointed
Fowles out and he was taken into Gus
tody, but was allowed to go on his
promise to appear in court this morn
ing.
Fowles appeared with H. W. Volk as
his attorney this morning, and at first
pleaded not guilty, but after some con-
sultation changed his plea to guilty.
Witnesses were called by him in order
to try to show mitigating circumstances,
and these, as well as the defendant,
claimed that the young lady struck
Fowles without anything being said. and
they claimed that he did not use vulgar
language afterwards.
The young ladies were then placed on
the witness stand by City Attorney
Daley, and told the story as they had
done to the officers. One of them said
that Fowles had intercepted her on
the bridge one night month ago, and
also early last evening. Two of the la
dies live in North Mankato, and two
of them are employed at the knitting
mill. They are sixteen or seventeen
years old.
Officer Robb testified that about $3.50
o'clock last evening he saw Fowles in
tercept two other young ladies in front
of block IA, but that they broke away
from him and ran. He then accosted
Fowles and warned him that such con-
,of in, &c ri with
him.
1t is also claimed that Fowles was
throwingt corn at ladies as they pass
ed him on the street yesterday, and act
ing very ungentlemanly.
Judge Comstock, found that the evil
dence did not show any mitigating cir
cumstainces or reason for leniency
There are certain young men in this
city who are thoughtlessly going the
pace that kills." said the court, "and
they will be painfully aware of it in
the near future. The court wants it
to be distinctly understood that it wants
to make it possible for respectable la
dies to walk with safety on the streets
at any time
The court said that he greatly regret
a precedent of severity, as all knew, in
cases of this kind "Your father is a
particular friend of mine," said he, ''and
I very much regret to be called to sit in
judgment upon his son. He has done ev-
erything possible to educate you and
make it possible for you to make your
way in the world with ease. This trou-
BILE is something that you have brought
upon yourself"
The court said that he greately regret
ted to make an alternative sentence in
this case, but did so because there was
some question as to the validity of a
sentence to Jail unless an opportunity
was given to pay fine. He sentenced
the defendant to pay fine of 500 and
costs or to be confined in the county
Jail for thirty days. The fine is the
maximum.
Fowles was on May 2lst arrested at
two o'clock in the morning for creating
a disturbance on Front street, and
pleaded guilty and paid fine of $40 and
costs.
Young Fowles' uncle paid the fine and
costs and the young man was given his
freedom this forenoon. His father is out
of the city.
1t appears that the efforts of the court
to make the streets safe for women af-