The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1907-11-22
Doctors P0stmortem Is Being
Had at MapIeton Town.
Testimony Does Not Throw Any
More Light on Death.
Find Tracks Left BY Man En-
Route to River Bank.

Nothing of startling or sensational
nature was brought out at the inquest
over the remains of Isaac c. Wheeler,
held at Napoleon today. Up to noon
five witnesses had been examined. These
We're Mr. and Mrs. II. l.. Cotton,
James and Andrew Howieson and
George Alderman.
Mr.. Alderman told the story of how
he discovered the Wheeler house to
be on fire, and what he did to arouse
the neighborhood. James Howieson re-
lated his experience at the Wheeler
home on the morning of the fire and
the discovery of the blood spots on
walls. doorknobs and the floor. He re-
lated how every effort was made to
locate the Wheeler's body after it was
house.
Mr.. and Mrs. Cotton both testified
to the contract that had been entered
into between Wheeler and themselves
and that they had made preparations
to move into the house. Wheeler had
given Mrs. Cotton a key to the house,
but this key was not in her possession
on the Thursday Afternoon prior to the
tragedy when she carried jar filled
with jelly and left it on the doorstep
of Wheeler's home. This key is now in
the possession. of Mr. Cotton.
Mr.. Cotton On Stand.
Mr.. Cotton told the jury that Wheel
er was at his home on Thursday
night. Practically all this feature OF
the case was brought out by the Free
Press and no new feature developed
during Cotton's testimony.
Mrs. Cotton told the jury that
few DAYS previous to the disappearance
of Wheeler the old man informed her
that he had received letter from his
relatives in Nerndale. She read the let
ter. but she was not asked to relate
its contents Mrs. Cotton stated that
the propositiOn to take care of Mr..
Wheeler came from Mr.. Wheeler nm
self.
Had Talked of Disappearing.
Andrew Howieson's testimony was
interesting. He stated that on the Sun
day prior the tragedy he together with
Mr.. Birr. went to Wheeler's house.
Birr had purchased some hogs of Vince
Ter, When the two gentlemen reached
there Wheeler stated that he wanted
to have a talk with Mr.. Howieson
alone. and at this Birr departed. Wheel
er asked Howieson his opinion of the
contract he had entered into with the
Cottons. Mr.. Howieson replied that he
considered it a good thing Wheeler
EXPRESSED himself in the same way, ana
added: ''Old Ike will sit by the fire
all winter and toast his shins." But
this expression did not seem to lit with
other remarks made to the witness
bv Wheeler. One of these was that
Howieson need not be surprised if\Old
Ike should die some of these days. lie
would disappear and his body never
be found. Mr.. Howieson told Wheeler
that he would live for ten years at
least. Wheeler replied: "Iou would not
saw that if you knew what condition
| am in. | will not live month.
Mr.. Howieson wanted to know what
his condition was Wheeler repled:
81 had two shocks this morning and
have to stamp my feet and clap my
hands before | can get out of bed. You
incident be surprised some day to come
down here and find Old Ike dead on
the floor"
The jury is made up of A. j. Ellis
James Daley, Fred Gerlick, William
Mcqueen, II. C. Hotaling and Jud Cor
nell.
It was brought out in George Acker-
mans testimony that he was the per-
son who discovered the papers under
the dish in the lumber wagon.
1t seems that Mrs. Cotton did not
read the last letter that was received
by Wheeler from his relatives at Nern-
dale. Wheeler merely informed her
that he was in receipt of such a COM
munication; that the folks were all
well. Mr.. Wheeler acted as If he
were keeping something from her.
Adds to the Suicide Theory.
49, Sheriff Donahue spent yesterday and