Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1917-10-23
THE FELTEN CASE

present.
The jury was composed of men OF
Marshfield, inasmuch as John FELTON,
died in st. Joseph's Hospital of that
city, and was as follows: P. J. Lyons
M; G. Fleckenstein, Frank Kubisiak
Edward Lollet, John Brockendorf and
Thomas Krieg. The MaTshfield Her
aid gives the following of the inquest
The first witness called was Andrew
Fischer. He said he and his brother
John had come to Marshfield that even
Ing in their auto, and about 7:30 at the
Adler Theatre corner they met John,
Joseph and Peter Felten and Henry
Jehle, all neighbore of the Fischers.
They had also just arrived in town in
their auto. The six men, after ex-
changing friendly greetings, visited
several saloons and at each place
drank considerable beer. At about
$3.50 John Felten proposed that they
take a ride into the country, insisting
that the Fischer boys accompany them.
There was five in the bunch, Peter
Felten for some reason or other re-
naming in the city to await their re-
turn.
They left here as near as the wit
ness could not remember, at 9:45.
Ihelr first stop was at the Chas. Foth
saloon, 51a miles out on the Mcmillan
road. After several rounds of drinks
1t was proposed that they go to Staadt,
but before they had proceeded on their
way more than half mile, and almost
n front OF the home of Frank Cigla,
who is accused Of doing the shooting.
they turned back. After passing the
roth saloon and about half mile this
side, they stopped their car in the
road, three of the men, Andrew and
John Fischer and Jehle, getting out.
Ihey remained near the back end of
the car. About that time a team 60
ing in the opposite direction drove I'D.
AS the driver turned out to go by,
someone in the auto asked him if thew
were on the right road to Marshfield.
An instant later there was the report
OF revolver.
The night was quite dark and the
witness did not seem to know what
transpired until he heard John Felten
who it seems also got out of the auto
cry Il am shot" He was lying on the
road and during the time he was
picked up the party who did the shoot
ing drove away. The auto party with
their wounded companion made no at
tempt to stop him but hurried back to
this city for medical aid, going direct
10 st. Joseph's hospital, where death
claimed the victim a few minutes after
their arrival there.
The other witnesses sworn who were
in the auto party, all corroborated the
statements made by Fischer, all SEEM
ing very much in ignorance of the cir
cumstances of the shooting or where it
took place.
On the afternoon of the tragedy
Frank Cigla, man 81 years OF age
and neighbor of the Feltens, was also
in Marshfield, remaining here until
late in the evening. He drove a one
horse rig and brought to town a small
load of cheese for Philip Wegel, who
owns a factory near his place. Cigla,
it seems, some three weeks ago had a
quarrel with Nick Felten, brother of
the dead man, over COW that tres
passed on his land, and in the argu-
ment that took place between the two
men, Cigla struck Felten blow over
the head with club. Since the above
occurrence there has been a bitter
feeling against Cigla by the Felten
brothers and it is said, hearing that
threats had been made, Cigla armed
himself with a revolver for defense.
The only evidence at the inquest
that would point to Cigla as the man
who had done the shooting was by
Weigel, the cheesemaker. The same
night at about 1100 o'clock, Cigla,
returning from Marshfield with a bar
rel of salt for Weigel got the latter
out of bed to deliver his load. Weigel
says Cigla seemed somewhat excited
and in the dim light of lantern was
seen to be bleeding at the nose. When
asked the cause, he said he had some
trouble with tramps down the road
and had fred a shot. He then drove
home.
At the conclusion of the inquest the
jury returned a verdict that the de-
ceased had come to his death by being
shot in the right breast by an un-
known person"
Upon being notified of the tragedy
the Marathon county authorities came
at once to the scene and made an in
vestigatioS. Suspicion pointed to Cigla
as the man who had done the shooting
and he was placed under arrest, but
was later allowed his freedom upor
furnishing bail bond of $1,000 fol
his appearance at preliminary hear
| ing to be held at Wausau on Friday
Oct Goth.
Drs. Mason and Potter made al
autopsy of the remains at the Remb:
undertaking rooms. 1t was found tha
the bullet that caused Felten's dealt
entered the body in the upper ~righ
hand chest passing directly through
and lodging in the back. The shoot
ing was done at close range as tn,
clothing and skin of the deceased
/ showed powder marks.
The dead man is a son of Mr.. an,
Mrs ppfar E1aItar oT 4ho 49,, - NJ.