The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1910-09-23


left the car in Mankato, the night
of the tragedy.
Testimony of Thurston Carsen.
Thurston Carsen was the next wit.
ness. His home in Webster City, Iowa.
Had lived in Webster City since March
and worked in livery barn. Had
been following fairs for about three
weeks. Known Wheeler for some time.
Stopped on the fair grounds in Clarion
with Wheeler. Mr.. Dawson, myself
and Wheeler were the only occupants
of the car when we got to Mankato
1 went to the depot to find out when
train would pull out. Wheeler had
some money, saw him have SO at one
time. We played smear and he got
out some money. We played for 10
cent and l5 cent stakes. Did not
see him when he left the car at Man.
kato. I came down town for break
| fast but did not drink anything and
did not stop on the way except at
the restaurant. Darlington and | came
over town together. Had no trouble
with Wheeler. Arrived in st. Peter
about noon next day. County Attorney
Plymat asked the witness if ne in.
uuired where Wheeler was when they
left Mankato. To this he replied
that they talked the matter over and
concluded that Wheeler probably had
taken passenger train from here to
st. Peter. They made no inquiry
around town about Wheeler. Heard OF
Wheeler's death first in st. Peter the
afternoon of same day. Saw an ac-
count of it in the paper. Came to
Mankato after tragedy. There were
two other cars of horses on their train
and three people in other cars.
Testimony of Mr.. Moon.
G.. H. Moon was called and said:
"My mother runs hotel in Rowan,
Iowa. Had known Wheeler for three
or four years, was at Clarion fair
and slept in same tent with Wheeler.
Came on one of the other cars; but
OIL same train that Wheeler was on.
Had no other man or woman in tent.
Said nothing about being afraid OF
anyone Arrived in Mankato about
midnight Did not leave the car after
arriving in the yards. Saw Wheeler
shortly after stopping in Mankato. He
came to my car which was directly
back of his car. Wheeler said ne was
going to the depot to find out when
our train would pull out. Wheeler
went to depot and came back in about
fifteen minutes. Wheeler says: II met
a lady. Won't you go along" | said
NO. Wheeler then went toward the
depot. l heard no noise during the
night. About daylight came up. to
breakfast. Heard of no one being
hurt. l sat on the railing at the
culvert and wondered where Wheeler
was. Heard of no one being hurt
Wheeler said what money he had would
not last him long. First heard of acct
dent in st. Peter drug store. Wheeler
did not say where he would meet the
woman.
i Corrigan a Witness.
James Corrigan: My home is in Ce-
dar Rapids, Iowa. Am taking care OF
horses. Was with Mr.. Rowe and
Moon the night of accident. Had a
horse in same car. Left Clarion Sun
day morning. Saw no woman after
arriving in Mankato. Went to the
depot to find out when car would leave
and on returning met Mr.. Rowe about
four O'Clock. Did not hear the talk
between Wheeler and Mr.. Moon rela-
tive to the woman. Saw Wheeler last
when he arrived in Mankato. HearC
no talk with woman. Had been drink
ing that night and was not in con
dition to state time of arrival in Man
kato. Got pint OF whisky at Sibley
Iowa. Rowe and ! drank it. The cal
stood about 2.l00 feet from where the
BODY of Wheeler was found. Went tC
depot and met Rowe OH way back &c
the car. Was gone about twenty
minutes. Did not come over town
Did not see Wheeler, was not acquainted
with Wheeler. Heard some one around
our car while in the yards but it was
dark.
Some one jumped off all incoming
freight and run around our car. II
was dark and could not see who il
was. Heard no revolver shot. Heard
man outside remark: "Did you gel
him" or "did you see him?" Heard nc
cries for help.
Story of the Doctors.
DIR. A. E. SOhmer, who was called
to attend the man at the city hal
and later at the hospital and who
treated him and later in company will
DR.. Holman held post norton ties
titled. He was first called to the
city hall about $3.50 in the morning
after the injured man had been brought
to the city hall. He found Wheeler
!, unconscious and fully dressed. Wheeler
had vomited. There was no smell Of
liquor about the man and his judgmen,
was that he had not been drinking
From the appearance the man hat
eaten meal about four hours befon
that as the meal was still undigested
He vomited repeatedly. His right ey,
showed symptoms of paralysis. Hat