The Dickinson press., 1916-03-18
WIFE DESERTER
AND B|GAM|ST
PLEADS GUILTY
JOE ESSERT APPREHENDED IN
MILWAUKEE, AFTER DILL
GENT SEARCH,
Again Married Despite Fact That
He Had Wife and Four
Children Here.

Again married Despite Fact That
He Had Wife and Four
Children Here.
Joe Essert, for several years past
following the carpenter trade in the
city, is today behind the bars at
the state penitentiary, sentenced by
Judge w. C. Crawford to serve two
years at hard labor.
Essert's career has been a rather
eventful one and one full of trouble
to the local police authorities. His
wife and four children were neglect
ed and upon several occasions he was
under arrest for non support Of his
family. The last time he was up
on this charge was last November,
but was released upon the promise
that he would contribute $500 per
week towards the support Of his
family. This money was to be regu-
larly paid to Justice A. P. Folsom.
He had no sooner been released
from custody, however, when he
managed to pass a number of worth
less checks, and taking the money OBJ
tanned therefrom escaped to Mon
tana. Philip Krank and the Model
Clothing Co. were victims of his
check writing to the tune of about
$55. 1t is also alleged that he man.
aged to cash check in Glendive
for $50.
The local authorities got busy as
soon as Essert left Dickinson in eff
fort to locate him, but he shaved his
mustache and managed to evade the
net of the law.
ing in Dickinson gave a clue that
again set the machinery of the Jaw
into motion with the result that
Essert was apprehended in Milwau-
kee, Wis, where he was living with
young woman he had married a
few weeks previous. The visitor in
Dickinson asked a friend the question
where Joe Essert's property was To-
Gated in this city. Surprise was
evidenced at the question, as Essert
has never been the owner of any
thing of value here. This question
led to a story, substantially as fol-
lows:
Essert came to Milwaukee a few
weeks ago and Immediately began
to pay attention to Annie Kuemler, II
years of age, who is alleged to be
widow despite her tender years.
Essert claimed that he was
widower, his wife having died three
years ago, and was very ardent in
his suit. He told the young woman
and her mother that he possessed
large farm in the Dickinson vicinity,
and besides was the owner Of consid-
cradle city property. He also said
his bank account was a big one.
Well, the marriage ceremony was
performed last month, and Essert,
it is alleged, Immediately began to
urge his new wife's mother to dis
pose of her Milwaukee property,
claiming he was we'll able to look
after her. He was evidently schem-
ing for possession of the money
that this property would bring.
When the local authorities got wind
of the location of Essert, they i'm
mediately notified the Milwaukee
police to make the arrest, which they
did, and Sheriff George Brown later
went to Milwaukee and brought the
prisoner back. After a talk with
States Attorney H. A. Burgeson he
signifed his intention to plead guilty
to the dual charge of obtaining
money under false pretense and wife
desertion, and as a consequence was
taken before Judge Crawford and
sentenced as above stated.
Mrs. Essert No. !, who still resides
in Dickinson, secured a divorce the
fore part of last week, but not un-
til couple Of weeks after Essert's
marriage to the Milwaukee woman.
The result will undoubtedly be that
Essert will face the charge of big
amy when he is released from the
North Dakota penitentiary two
years hence-as it is understood that
the Milwaukee parties expect to push
that charge.
This case is but another example
of quick justice at minimum ex-
pense. Through the activity of
States Attorney Burgeson, the tax
payers of Stark county have been
saved many thousands of dollars in
the past three months alone, because
of convictions made on confessions
of guilt. He and Sheriff Brown have
worked together to splendid advant-
age, and their aggressive team work
is becoming an evil omen to all-law-
breakers Of the county. Mr.. Burge-
son never rests until he lands the
evil-doers behind the bars, once he
gets on his trail. Then his aim is
to secure conviction and proper pun
ishment at minimum expense.
ApPEcTED AMI FINED FOP