The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1907-11-22

devoid of furniture. There were no
comforts, and his bedroom was any
thing but an inviting place for a man
to lay his weary head. Until few
weeks ago Wheeler did not have a
bed to lie in, but slept on the floor,
his clothing, boots, hat and all being
used as his covering Sometimes he
would enjoy pallet of straw. The
bed which was burned early yesterday
morning was gift from the Cottons
who probably did more for the old
gentleman than anyone else. Last
spring they nursed him back to life
after he had been critically ill for
several weeks with pneumonia.
Like Slaughter House.
Last night the Wheeler home pre-
sented the appearance of a slaughter
house. Blood spots stained the walls,
doors, window and door castings, the
stairway and almost in the center of
the barren sitting room floor there
was pool of gore that would in
dicate that critter had been killed
there and it's life blood permitted
to ooze out. All last night men living
in the neighborhood sat in this room,
keeping watch over the premises.
They spent the slow going hours in
retailing ghost stories. The dim light
of lamp and the gruesome sur
roundings made the flesh creep and
crawl. 1t was weird scene indeed.
Deputy Sheriff Philips and a Free
Press man remained with the crowd
until the eastern sky was lighted up
by Old Sol. As soon as the sky broke
and it was light enough the search
for Wheeler's body was resumed.
Made Contract Oct 80.
1t was on Oct. 80 that Wheeler
made the contract with the Cottons
that they should have his property if
they would move into his home and
care for him the balance of his days.
1t was the intention of these people
to surround the old man with COM
forts. He was not man to look
| carefully after his own welfare, but he
was a humane man, caring for his
stock, his horses and his chickens.
These he did not neglect. Frequently
he would put himself out to feed
his cattle and horses at night and 60
supperless to bed. He was a peculiar
man.
Although it has been said of him
H. L. ,oI hot ho
did not care to live, he was not averse
to consulting doctor whenever ill.
He wanted to make a contract with a
Mapleton physician to care for him
in sickness at the rate of $25 per
year. This was the amount he was
| to receive for that purpose from
the Cottons. The report that he had
suffered two strokes of paralysis was
incorrect.
Had Sold His Stock.
Wheeler had disposed of most of
his stock and chickens, retaining a
team of horses for his own use. Those
who knew him best claim that Wheel
err did not carry much money on his
person nor was he in the habit of
hiding cash on the premises. He had
$50 deposited in the First National
bank of Mapleton and on Thursday
drew out $40, receiving cashiers
certificate for the balance. On the
same day he purchased So worth of
meat and had it charged. He re-
marked at the time that he guessed
he would live long enough to pay the
BILL
Just what position the tragedy
leaves the Cottons with respect to
gaining possession of the farm re-
mains to be determined. They had
intended to move on the place next
Monday. They had stored potatoes and
other staples in the cellar and were
making arrangements to improve the
house, which by the way is sub
tantial two story structure.
Mr.. Wheeler's only heir is the
nephew, Charles Williams, who lives
at Verndale, MINI. He is the son of
Wheeler's sister The quarter section
of Nebraska land is near Grand Is
land, Neb. The patent to this land
was signed by President Grant.
Was Not an Eyewitness.
Mr.. Wheeler was once before in the
lime light 1t was at the time Gather
inc Cling murder in Minneapolis, when
a letter purporting to be from Wheel
er was introduced in the case. Claim
ing that he was an eye witness to
the crime. He had not been in Min