Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1909-08-04
.PUELICHER DENIES
WAGNfR'S STORY.
MigwAukss BANKER rgsTieiss
hs NEVER Discussed
STEPHENSON MONEY.
M. J. REGAIN DECLARES EmPHAT.
IcALLY THAT HE DID NOT ACT
AS eo-sETwEEN.
Madison. July 2e

of the Marshall-Ilsley bank at Milwau
kee, took the witness stand in the
municipal court yesterday Afternoon
and absolutely denied that he dis
burseG Stephenson money to Assem-
blymen 1Somas Ramsey and John T
Farrell of Milwaukee, and Silas A
Towne in room 1853 of the Plankinton
house on February 20, last, or at any
other time.
NJ. J. Regan, tie complaining wit,
ness, also denied having acted as q
go-between in the transaction alleged
by Private Detective Frank T. Wagner
to have taken place. He furthermore
declared that on or about February 20,
he was at Palmyra.
Mr.. Puelicher testified that ne re.
turned to Milwaukee on the evening
of February 10 from Madison where
he had given testimony before the
senatorial investigating committee and
that being Ill. he retired at once, On
the following day he remained in bed
and was unable to attend to his duties
at the bank. Mr.. Puelieher took excep-
ton to the word "dlsblrse" when At
torney Edward Yockey asked him If
he disbursed the funds of Senator
Stephenson. He declared emphatic.
ally that he acted as custodian of Sen.
ator Stephenson's campaign fund but
that he did not distribute any of 1t.
How much did you pay out that
way?" inquired Mr.. Yockey.
District Attorney Mason entered an
objection. He said that such ques.
tons have no bearing on the case and
simply tend 10 delay the trial unneces.
sarily. Judge Donovan held with Mr..
Mason.
Mr.. Jockey wanted to know II the
statement made by the bank to the
banking commissioner last April includ.
ed the funds distributed In behalf OF
Senator Stephenson. Mr.. Puelicher
replied that money which has been
paid out is never included In bank
statements. The funds of Senator
Stephenson were entered on the books
placed on deposit. In order to make
his connection with the funds more
clear. Mr.. Puelicher said that he was
the custodian of the senator's money
only during the primary campaign and
that he never paid out anything ex.
cept on order of e. A. Edmonds, man
ager of Mr.. Stephenson's campaign.
corroborates Fathers Testimony.
Miss Gertrude Puelicher. daughter
of the banker corroborated the testi-
mony of her father to the effect that
he was in bed on February 30. She
said she was positive that her father
was home on that day, which was
Saturday. He left for the east Marco
4, and Miss Puelicher said that he was
home on the two previous Saturdays
on account of Illness. AS further evil
dence that she could not be wrong in
her declaration that her father was
home on February 20. she said she re-
membered distinctly that Mr. Pue.
licher asked Mrs. Puelicher to remain
at his bedside and that her mother
then told her to do the homework.
The witness stated that she disliked
housework
Detective Daniel Il. Kyle of the
Plankinton house told OF having seen
Wagner at the hotel on the Monday
preceding February 90. Following the
rules OF the hotel to ascertain the
business of those who are not regis
tered there, he Swallowed Wagner
and the latter then left. Mr.. Yockey
asked the witness If he did not dis
like Wagner and If he did not tell
some one at Milwaukee that he had nc
use for him Mr. Hyde denied having
made such a statement
Did Not Identify Wagner.
Joseph NJ Crowley. deputy city
! comptroller OF Milwaukee, denied tina
he identified Wagner at the Marshall
Ilsley bank or that he introduced hin
to Mr.. Puelicher He said b. haC
seen the defendant around politica
headquarters at Milwaukee and tina
he had talked with him but he did no
know Wagner's name until the latte
had given his testimony before tn,
committee.
Too Late for Insanity Plea.
Mr. Regan testified that he neve
saw Wagner at the Plankinton OF
February 20, or that he acted as a 90
between between Mr. Puelicher an,
the three assemblymen mentioned b,
Wagner.
On eross-examination, Mr., Yoke.
asked Mr. Regain II. In his judgment
Wagner was sane or insane at tn
time he had conversations with Wap
ner Mr.. Mason interposed an objec
ton on the grounds that two separat
causes can not be tried at the sam
time. After Mr.. Yockey had cited sey
eral authorities, Judge Donovan quo
ed the law. which expressly state
that plea Of insanity must be mad
before the commencement of the trial
He sustained the objection.
Then you had occasion 70 knoI
what the mental characteristics Of tn
defendan, were?" further asked Nj
Yockey.
That never entered my mind" re
piled Mr.. Regan.
No Trsnson oyr- Door.
j II. s. Green, manager Uf the PIanE
inton house. testified that Wagner
sketch Of rooms 152, t53 and 154 wa