The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1913-10-17

ST. Paul. October 14-This is the
heading over plea for pardon re-
ceived by the state board yesterday
from Amelia Wellner Tanke serving
life term for the murder of her
first husband, John WelIner, at La
fayette, Nicollet county, New Years
eve, 1898.
When she entered the penitentiary
in July, 1902, Mrs. Tanke could not
read or write. The statement she
has prepared for the board is type
written, the language is clear and
the grammar for the most part good.
Sensational Murder Case.
The Tanke case was one of the
most celebrated murder mysteries in
the state On New Years morning,
1899, the body of Wellner was found
near his barn. Mrs. Wellner said he
had been killed by bandits. The
story went unchallenged. until the
spring of 1902, when Sheriff John
Mcmillan of Nicollet county began an
Investigation. After the murder, Mrs.
| Wellner had married John Tanke,
employed on the farm at the time
of the crime. Both were arrested
and indicted. The prosecution was
conducted by C.. r. Davis, now con-
gresham from the Third district.
Informed Counsel of Her Guilt.
In her statement Mrs Tanke says
| she admitted to her counsel, ]. A.
Eckstein of New Ulm, who also rep
resented Tanke, that she killed Well
ner and she was advised to plead
guilty Not being familiar with court
procedure she says that she did not
make an attempt to tell her story in
which she thinks she could have
indicated herself by asserting self
defense.
Tanke was convicted subsequently,
and also is serving a life sentence.
Mrs Tanke tells wildly of her
troubles with her former husband
and accuses him of all manner of
cruelties.
Loved Mr.. Wellner.
81 loved Mr.. Wellner and married
him." she says. 81 was very happy.
| did everything he told me to do.
No work was too hard for me in re-
turn for his love, had he loved me
as well as I loved him. was ignor-
ant and good-hearted and through
that l am here today"
She says that the day before her
first child was born Wellner COM
PEELED her to go with him in
plowed field to assist in breaking
a colt.
HE did not like children and
am sorry to say that through that
and his stinginess he lost his life"
adds the woman.
Dragged Her Out BY the Hair.
She then tells what happened the
day of the, murder She had some
bread in the oven when Wellner
came in and demanded that she help
him put hay in the barn. Womanlike
she said she had to watch tt bread.
But he dragged her out by l-or hair.
That night, she says, he cursed
her. After he had retired she at
tempted to leave the place to go to
her parents who lived nearby. He
followed her from the house, chased
her into the barn, where she hid
among the COWS. Believing that he
had gun in his hand she reached
into a box where she knew a re-
(volver was kept, got it, aimed it at
him and then she fired.
! Wants One More Chance.
"a shock went through me-" she
says. 81 felt myself sinking to the
ground. l did not realize just what
| had done until l heard the clock
strike in the house"
She ends her plea by saying:
81 ask that you give me one. more
chance for life. ] have served and
suffered much. ] know there is a
God and through his mercy and
through earthly help there viii come
brighter day
There are two children, both girls,
one of whom is married, and Mrs.
Tanke wants to be with them again.
/ An invitation to lend the United