The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1915-07-16
Queer Actions Of Man Cause
Probe Of Think Tank
HELD At MARTIN COUNTY IAIl
Written Several Communications In
Which He Spoke Of Things That
Do Not Exist

Fdirmont, July 1.-THE S%entinel
publishes the following sensational
story: When Conrad Kuefner a ma
tive of Germany. stepped into the Of
flee OF Clerk OF Court Fygare Monday
Afternoon to take out his second citi-
zenship papers, he walked into the
custody OF Sheriff Carver, who imme-
diately placed him under arrest and
locked him up In the county jail.
The reason for this summary action
was the queer actions of Kueiner and
several sensational letters he had
written accusing the Snyder brothers
and the Kruger brothers. all promin-
ent and highly respected Rutland
farmers Of maintaining murder farms.
I'm his communications Kuefner de-
clsred that the farms OF these men
contained many raves of hired men
who have been murdered by their
employers for their money and the
bodies buried In round graves. Long
letters giving gruesome details were
received by Clerk of Court rFygare,
Rev. o. II. Zemke. Fred Snyder and
q cousin Of K%uefner. residing I'm I'LL
nois. A perusal thereof leaves little
doubt OF the writer's insanity.
Kuefner Is a man about twenty-five
years OF age. He came to Martin coun-
ty two years ago. For a few months he
was employed by William Wherland at
Pierce Lake. For a year and a half he
worked for George and Fred Snyder.
He was an exceptionally industrious
and trustworthy farm hand and al
ways satisfied his employers I'm every
way.
Had Plenty of Money.
On the nights OF June 3 Kuefner
LETT the Fred Snyder premises. The
next day he returned. took his trunk
and received settlement for wage due.
He explained that he was leaving
because someone vas circulating dam
aging reports about him which we're
being published In The Sentinel.
kuefner then cashed I'm on all his re-
sources and came into possession OF
about 81. 800 In cash. When arrested he
had only a little over $50 I'm his DOS
session.
Since leaving Fred Snyder's place.
Kuefner seems to have been wander
ing about between Fairmont and Ma
della. He is reported to have been
seen several times In the vicinity of
the Snyder and Kruger, places and
Is believed to have visited the George
Snyder place i'm the absence OF the
family.
The murder farm letter to Mr..
Flygare covers both sides OF eighteen
sheets of letter paper, In good hand
writing. IL was written July Z and
mailed at Madelia ut IL a. m, on July
3. On the back OF the envelope this
is written: Postmaster, send these
letters where they belong. Three men
know that ] dropped them here
"Has Seen Things"
The F1ygare letter gives details OF
terrible doings on the Rutland farms.
A plat accompanies the message,
showing the location of fifteen
"round" graves which the. writer
claims to have located. He specifies
one which he says he opened and
found a body In a mangled condition.
Many names of neighbors and others
are mentioned.
The accusations, although brought
by one who Is doubtless a lunatic or
a cunning criminal himself, are en-
barassing to the Messrs. Snyder and
kreuger. They are men of spotless
reputation and demand a complete
Investigation that no stain may at
tach to their names.
When taken into custody, Kuefner
had I'm his pockets two loaded revolt
vers. He Is known to be a most ex-
pert shot with any kind of fire arm.
During the time he has been I'm GUS
today he has acted in an entirely nor
NAL manner and given no indication
whatever of insanity.
Kuefner's letter to Rev. Zemke Is
said to be even more startling and
gruesome than that TO Mr.. Fygare.
Was Wholly Imaginary.
Sheriff Carver visited and exam
Inc the Snyder and Kreuger prem
lses n found Kuefner's story OF hav-
ing dug up human bones and dead
bodies to be wholly imaginary.
The young man was examined as to
his sanity Tuesday afternoon by a
commission consisting OF Drs. Hunt,
Dewey and Richardson before Judge
Fancher. 1t was the conclusion of the
physicians that the young man is sub
Ject to hallucinations and the best
thing to do was to send him to the
detention hospital for treatment. In
general he appeared intelligent and
perfectly sane. In fact the only evil
dence OF Authorizations the ir0estiga-
tions disclosed was contained I'm the
sensational letters.
The court could not concu in Kuef-
ner's suggestion that the best way to