The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1914-03-06
FATHER N. ], HOPPER
PUTSUPSI ,OOOBOND
MINNESOTA LAKE PRIEST ADMITTED
TO BAIL BY QUINN
Scene Of The Alleged Kidnapping Of
Russell laurisch Is Transferred
TO Fairmont

Falrmont, February 27.-The scene
l.: the sensational Minnesota Lake
alleged Kidnapping case was trans
ferred to Fairnont yesterday when
Rev. Father NJ. j. Helper, defendant
ia the case and priest of the Catho-
lie church at Minnesota Lake. APP
psared before Judge Quinn at the
court house and was admitted to bail.
Father Helper was arrested at
Minnesota Lake Tuesday on war
rant charging him and Alma Laurisch
with kidnapping Russell Laurisch, a
boy eleven years OF age. He had a
preliminary examination before
Justice of the Peace Albert Geriich
OF Minnesota Lake. Wednesday and
the evidence against him was con-
sidered strong enough to warrant an
investigation by the grand jury OF
Farfbault county, where the alleged
Cfiense was committed.
Penalty Is Severe,
As the penalty for Kidnapping in
Minnesota may be as much as forty
years in the penitentiary. che justice
had no jurisdiction in the matter Of
fixing bonds. Rev.. Father Helper was
not committed to Jail but given
into the custody of Deputy Sheriff
Joseph Hodge who brought him be-
fore Judge Quinn the following morn
ing. Philip Scheier, Frank Brecht and
Ed. Kremer also appeared as sure
ties for the father. -The court fixed
bail at $1,000 to guarantee Rev.
Father Helpers appearance at the
next term OF the Faribault county
court, which convenes at Blue Earth
April G. III.
The father naturally desired as
little publicity in the matter as pos
sible and on arriving In Fairmon
went to q hotel and sent a polite re-
quest to Judge Quinn to meet him
at his room and arrange matters.
This request was refused and the
accused required TO appear in court
the same as any other individual
charged with a serious crime.
From Fridays Daily.
John H. Hohmann and II. A. Pat
tersun of Mankato and Senator II.
y. Benson of st. Peter yesterday
noon met the highway committee
OF the Civic and Commerce associa.
ton in Minneapolis i'm regard to
the proposed new Scenic Highway
This committee was thoroughly fa-
miliar with the Scenic Highway pro-
iect, for in the spring of last year
II. L. Schmitt and John II. Hob.
mann appeared before that group
OF men and asked for aid for the
enterprise. The visitors yesterday
went over the entire proposition
with the highway committee and
told that body what had been done.
The visitors told of the many diffi-
culties that had been encountered
during the past year and also ex-
planned the present attitude OF the
government. The visitors explained
to the committee that IL the Scenic
Highway fund got the additional allot-
ment of $4,000 from the govern
ment. there would now be $4,000,
and that there would still have TO
be raised an additional $4,000 so
rs to have 100000 available. II
was explaine dto the committee by
the visitors that to raise this extra
amount II was necessary that both
Minneapolis and st, Paul contrib
ute and Minneapolis was asked to
contribute $4,000. The highway
committee seemed quite ,fayorably
inclined to the proposition and 1t Is
I to be referred to the executive com
mittee of the Civic and Commerce
association of Minneapolis.
After this conference the. South
erh Minnesota Spokesman went over
to St Paul and took the matter up
with J. II. Beck, secretary of the
Association OF Commerce Of that
city. The ST. Paul association last
year donated $1,000 to the scenic
highway project and this money has
been deposited In the treasures OF
the respective counties through
which the Scenic Highway runs. Mr..
Beck, who is thoroughly familiar,
with the proposition. and who Is
very favorable towards Il, offered
10 call special meeting Of the
directors OF the Association OF Com
merce OF that city 10 meet today.
But since the committee. which con-
sists OF thirty-two prominent bust
ness men Of St Paul. will have It's
regular meeting next Tuesday or
Wednesday, II was decided to let
the matter rest until this meeting.
The Southern Minnesota visitors, at
Mr.. Beek's request, viii appear at
this meeting next week. The visit
ors will ask st. Paul to pledge an
additional $1,000.
: Mayor Keller of st. Paul. who
was in Mr.. Beek's Office at the time,
also offered TO do all in his power
TO make the. Scenic Highway pos
sibility.
Mr.. Hohmann said today, after