The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1907-02-01
Bold ShOOtist Held to the
Grand Jury.
HEARING IN POLICE COURT
Nothing Startling Developed at Pre-.
liminary Examination; Two New
Witnesses Are Introduced.
From Mondays Daily.


Fred Deef was given his preliminary
hearing this forenoon on the charge of
assault in the first degree upon Henry
POtz. A fair sized crowd gathered at
the police court to witness the proceed
ings. County Attorney Plymat appeared
for the state, and W. r. Geddes for the
defendant. Potz was so far recovered
from the bullet wound in his arm and
shoulder as to be able to attend.
James Maher was the first witness
sworn by the state, and told of the
things that happened in the saloon that
led up to the trouble. He and Deef
had gotten into an argument over the
use of German and about Catholics, be-
tween five and six o'clock, and the bar.
tender had finally put Deef out. Cross
examined, Maher said that Deef had
talked about the Irish, and he had slap.
ped Deef, who had then grabbed spit
toon and threatened Maher. Maher had
showed Deef against the bar.
L. p Zimmerman told of the sale to
Deef of 80 calibre revolver, soon after
five o'clock on Jan. IL. Deef seemed
nervous and excited. George Zimmerman
corroborated what his brother had said,
and added that Deef was in the store
ten or fifteen minutes.
Frank Draper, driver of an express
wagon, testified that he saw the shoot
ing. He noticed two men standing near
the Wiedeman building, and saw the de-
PENDANT fumbling in his right pocket
and draw gun. He saw the gun dis
charged and then saw iotz make a rush
for Deef. Potz was standing two feet
from the front of the building when he
was hot. Deef had come up and asked
Draper whether he ''saw what that man
did to him.
Henry Potz then took the stand. He
said that in the saloon Deef and Maher
had had controversy and Deef had
must stick together. The damned Irish
and Yankees stick together" Potz had
then told him that he had better keep
still. Soon afterwards the bartender,
Tillman, had put Deef and another man
out. Potz afterwards went out and saw
Deef, who said: "You - -
don't stick up for me-" They had then
turned at the Mulberry street corner,
and Potz had told Deef to take it
back, and had taken him by the collar
and shaken him. Deef had then said :
Il take nothing back. If you want any
thing, hit me-" At the corner, Deef had
pointed gun at the witness and shot
him. Then Potz had rushed upon him
and had him down when Deef fired
again. 1ney had always been friends.
Cross examined, Potz said that he had
been in town since 1870 a. m. and had
drunk one glass of whisky and five of
beer, but was not under the influence of
liquor. At the corner he had shovel
Deef up against the building, but he did
not know how hard. Deef had ierked
away and ran, and did not strike at
Potz Potz had walked after him, but
had not intended to take, hold of him
again. Deef did not tell Potz to keep
back
DR.. Andrews testified as to the wound.
John Richel said that he had gone
to the saloon and had seen Deef outside
and Deef had told him to keep out and
not to say anything. Witness had then
walked across the street to the shoe
store.
Albert Tillman, Chief Miller and Off
GERS Bienapf and Vogel We're called and
gave as evidence what has already APP
peared in The Free Press regarding the
shooting and the arrest of Deef
The state rested, and the defense did
not put on any evidence. Deef was
then bound over to the February tern,
of the district court and remanded back
to Jail, as the court has no jurisdiction
about fixing bail.