Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1907-09-05
Madison, August 80.

A pathetic case of a woman, fresh
from the old country and ignorant
of American ways and language being
sent to prison for life on her own
evidence, which she did not under.
stand, came before Governor David
son yesterday in a petition for pardon
for Wilhelmina Baehr
| She came to this country as an i'm.
migrant girl about 20 years ago and
met a family up in Shawano county
by the name of Baehr. The mother
of the family had died anu the
grown daughters persuaded the ig-
norant immigrant girl to marry the
old man, convincing her that it was
a chance to get a good home for life.
Wilhelmina married old man Baehr
and Immediately became the slave to
him and the while family, working as
a common drudge at the command
of the old maids and the man. A
stranger, Michael Sell, came along,
possessed of some money. The
Baehr family concocted a plot to kin
and rob him. It is said that there is
now absolutely no doubt whatever but
that old man Baehr Planned the muir
der and either did 1t himself or by
threats and violence compelled his
immigrant girl wife to commit the
crime. Sell was murdered on Novem-
Der 25, 1889, in the town of Washing
ton, Shawano county. Old man
Baehr, fearing conviction and punish
ment, committed suicide and the i'm
migrant girl was taken in hand by
the town chairman, 1t appears that
he assured her that If she confessed
to her part in the crime she would
get light Jail sentence and would IN
that way get out of the trouble. He
made the formal complaint, charging
murder in the first degree, and the
girl pleaded guilty and was sentenced
/ to the state prison for life, not know
ing the gravity of the charge against
her and believing she was doing right
according to the advice given her!
| She believed that she was being
sent to jail for seven months instead
of to the. state penitentiary for ali
her life. Now, after she has spent
16 years in prison, an effort is made
to get justice for her, In so far as
the exercise of executive clemency
will get it.
The documents have been laid be
fore Governor Davidson and he will
consider all the facts and act as he
is persuaded is right. The trial
court, district attorney, complaining
witness and in fact practically every
person in that part Of the state famil
/ lar with the circumstances of the
conviction of this woman are now pc
titioners in favor of the gTnnting of
the pardon.
More Effort for Fenner.
Governor Davidson has given anoth-
er hearing to the application for a
pardon for Marvin M. Fenner of
Wood county, the famous mule
team" murderer. Attorney Henry r.
Cochems appeared for the applicant
ard Governor Davidson took the mat.
ter under advisement Fenner. as
shown by the record, agreed to pur
chase team of mules from an old
/ man named John l.. Hester and they
/ drove acToss country to place where
Fenner said he would get the money
to pay for the mules. On the way
/ he murdered the old man, robbed him
of the mules and sold them at a
lumber camp. The crime was com
mitted in 1883, when the murderer
was 20 years of age.
While in custody he and another
prisoner made an attempt to break
jail and 1t seems that this plan in
volved the possibility of numbering
the jailor. Fenner was convicted by
jury after a trial presided over by
the late Judge John r. Bennett.
Denied by La Toilette.
This case was the subject of a
long contest for pardon before Gov
ernor La Toilette nearly four years
years ago, and a storm of protest
/ was raised by the people OF that
neighborhood against tho exercise of
executive clemency in this case, for
IL was protested that the record OF
the crime showed that 1t was deliber.
ately planned. that the young fellow
determined In cold blood to Kill the
old man, who was over 40 years of
age, and that II a pardon were grant
ed IL would be an assault on the law
and an invitation by the governor 10
others TO commit such crimes. Among
those who opposed the granting OF the
pardon and who are now fighting II.
are the sons OF the murdered man.
Lesson in Temperance.
State Senator Julius r.. Roehr. &C.
companied by friends OF his client.
presented the application for a par.
don Of John Bernhard of waukesha.
who was convicted Of murder in tho
first degree and sentenced to state
prison for life. No decision was rem.
dered by the governor. as some time
VIII be necessary for examination OF
the records and documents presented.
John Bernhard was is years old
when he ccvnrnfffe1 IT, x.f.nz rr