The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1908-06-11
A VOLUNTARY EXILE
Chris. Rasmussen Gets Tempo.
rary immunity From Punish,
ment by Accepting Exile
MUST NOT RETURN HERE
Charges Against Man Who Scalded His
Wife and Three Children Held
In Allegiance in Court Pend
ing Good Behavior
(From Tuesdays Daily.)

Exiled from Kenosha. This was the
self imposed penalty Of Chris Rasmus
sen, a Pleasant Prairie farmer, who has
been in Jail for weeks charged with
scalding his wife and three small child
rem. Rasmussen was to have been
tried in the Circuit Court this morning,
but when the case was called it was
found that neither the wife nor any
Of the members of the Rasmussen
family would appear against him and
the case was continued for the term.
Rasmussen was allowed to go on bond
signed by himself, but the bond is the
most unusual ever presented If the Cir
cult Court. 1t was approved by Judge
Belden and at noon Rasmussen left
Kenosha never to return save twice
each year when he may be present at the
opening of the Circuit Court and have
his sentence Of exiled continued. Ras-
mussen gives bond of one thousand
dollars and as a further consideration
he agrees that he will leave Kenosha
today and not return to the city save
to be present in court. He will never
again attempt to see either his wife or
any one of his three children and that
should he ever meet them by accident
or otherwise he will make no effort to
speak to them. Rasmussen declares
that he will meet the condition of the
bond and when released from the jail
he started for the west with the inten-
ton of securing work on farm.
The case was set for trial at the ses-
sion Of the court on Monday, but at
that time it was found that it would
be impossible for the district attorney
to get the witnesses in the case to APP
pear for the prosecution of Rasmussen.
The wife who was one Of the victims
OF the scalding water has since secured
divorce and has found home with
one of the leading families of the city,
The children are also being cared for
and the wife informed the district at
torney Monday that all she desired was
for her husband to let her and the
children alone. The same sentiments
were expressed by the children. Two
of the children have entirely recovered
from the assault of the father, but the
third still has a great sore which re-
suited from the burns inflicted and it is
possible that she will carry scar of
this sore through life. Rasmussen
has pleaded that he was drunk when
he committed the crime charged, but
since that time he has shown every
sign OF penitence. 1t is claimed that
the man in his sober hours was intense
~ fond of his three children and that
for this reason the sentence which he
himself imposed and which was accept
ed by the court will be the most awful
penalty that he could be asked to pay
for his crime. In the meantime the
charges against Rasmussen will not be
nolled and should he return to Kenosha
otherwise than provided by the bond
or should he attempt to see or speak
with his wife or the children, his bond
will Immediately be forfeited and he
will be brought into court and punish
ed. The crime of which the man is
charged carries with it sentence to
the state prison.