Baraboo weekly news. [volume] (Baraboo, Wis.) 1912-197?, 1913-09-11
|COURT IMPOSES
| fine OF 81 900
Blowing up of Traction
Engine Near Ableman
Has Been Cleared.
RELATIVES COME TO AID
Quick And Clever Work of
the Authorities in Lo-
eating the Guilty.
RELATIVES COME TO AID

AT M Adison on Thursday evening
Emil Kowalke OF North Freedom was
given a fine of 81 900 and costs of
$25 88 on the charge of malicious
destruction of property. A traction
engine belonging to August Harman
was badly wrecked with dynamite
and the charge was LAID at the door of
Mr.. Kowalke. The offense was
severe and the charge was made from
one more criminal TO the above in
order that it might be as easy as
possible for the offender who has
always borne very good reputation
in the neighborhood.
Soon after the explosion on Tuesday
night on the Verthein farm where
thres ing was being done, the officers
In Baraboo were notified. 1t was
known the accused had purchased
dynamite and on this clew the myS-
terry was solved. Sheriff Welk went
to the place where Kowalke was rum
ming another threshing outfit and ac-
companied him to Baraboo. In Justice
Halsted's court before the sheriff and
District Attorney James IL. Hill, he
stoutIy denied knowing anything
about the wreckLDg of the engine.
After about three hours questioning IL
was decided TO Issue other warrants
and have him account for tbs night
on Wnic2 the damage was done.
| When he saw that relatives and neigh
bors were to be drawn into the case
he decided the wise course to pursue
was to make clean breast of the at
fair, which he did.
rne matter then came before Justice
| E. Ray Stevens at Madison who inn
posed a fine as indicated above.
Sheriff Welk, Attorney Hill and
number of relatives of the accused
were present. The work done by
Sheriff Welk, District Attorney Hill
and Justice Halsted in clearing up the
whole aft air in so short time at no
expense to the county is to be highly
commended.
/ Kowalke is interested in threshing
outfit and there was some rivalry
among the owners.
KowaIke was fined on the first an
niversary of his wedding, being mar
ried year ago Thursday. He resides
in North Freedom where he owns q
home.
Had Been Drinking
The Madison Democrat gives the
story as brought in court rs follows:
| Emil Kowalke, farmer near North
Freedom, Sauk county, learned in the
circuit court here yesterday that the
wilful dynamiting Of machinery is an
expensive pastime.
While under the influence of liquor
he dynamited a gas engine belonging
to his cousin. He pleaded guilty to
ipjuring property and Judge Stevens
sentenced him to pay fine of 500
and costs or spend six months in the
Sauk county Jail. The court also or
dered him to pay for the damage which
is estimated at $500. Kowalke expect
ed to raise the money.
Kowalke was unable to give any
| reason for his act. He was formerly
part owner of the engine but some
time ago disposed of his interests. AS
far as could be learned he had had ne
trouble with his cousin. He himself
| told the court that he is on good terms
with his relative. He had been drink
ing with a number of friends one
night and after he had left them went
to the farm of his cousin and planted
the dynamite under the engine. Then
he returned home and went to bed.
The explosion occurred at 8 O'Clock In
the morning.
| A number of Sauk county residents
interceded for Kowalke and District
Attorney ]. Ii. Hill recommended
that he be given a chance TO pay for
the damage and that light sentence
be imposed. Kowalke will have to
pay about 81 600.