The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1918-06-06
STATE news ITEMS
Telegraphic Glance of Events
Through Wisconsin.
IL ARRESTS UNDER SPY LAW
County Judge Becker of Monroe Re-
leased on Bonds of $5,o00-De-
PENDANTS Indicted by Grand
Jury at Superior.

Madison, June 5.-Twelve arrests
already have been made on federal
warrants following the session of the
grand jury In Superior, during which
149 indictments were returned on
cases coming within the scope of the
espionage law. In practically all of
the instances where the persons
named in the indictments have been
taken into custody they have been re-
leased on bail. One of the first ar
rests made was that of County Judge
J. III. Becker, who was served with
warrant at his home in Monroe. Eight
counts were specified in the indict-
ment returned against Judge Becker,
all of which are predicated upon state
ments he is alleged to have made in
an address before the county board of
supervisors of Green county on Febru-
airy last. Among the statements
charged to Judge Becker are: that the
fuel shortage was ridiculous; that the
alleged shortage of food was equally
as ridiculous: that the war with Ger
many was rich mans war; that men
seeking higher salaries instigated the
war; that the alleged shortage Of seed
in Green county was false; that the
farmers should disregard statements
sent out by the government and that
they should not pay excessive war
taxes. Judge Becker, who has been
on the county court bench for Is
years, came out with an announcement
about three months ago that he intend
ed seeking the nomination for COVER
nor on a platform indorsing every
thing that Senator Robert M. La Fol-
lette espoused. In his attempt to OBJ
in the Twelfth circuit Judge Becker
was defeated by Judge George Grimm.
Judge Becker was arraigned before
Judge Sanborn in the United States
district court in Madison and was re-
leased on bonds of $1,000 furnished by
w. D. Schoenfleld and Louis Hirsig,
both of Madison. Former Assembly
man r. x. Schilling, town of cassel,
Monday by United States Marshal
Frdank P. O'Connor on a charge of
aiding selectmen to make false replies
to questions in filling out their ques-
having been too liberal as a member
Of local board in granting claims for
exemption from military service.
Schilling is teacher and farmer. He
formerly was president Of the Mara
thon County Telephone company and
for one year was treasurer of the G.
q. G. Germania, benevolent society.
Heinrich Williams, a resident of the
village of Marathon, also WAS arrested
on Monday and taken to Madison to
answer to charge of having made an
alleged threat to shoot President Will
son. 1t was on charge Of a similar
nature that Mrs. A. e. Gebert wife Of
a prominent merchant at MiIladore,
Wood county, was arrested and re-
leased on bail Of $4,000 Gustave
Sternburg, Wausau, also indicted by
the grand jury on 18 counts, scout on
$500 bail, following his arraignment
on a charge, among others, of having
advised draftees to violate the selec-
tive service act. Leaders of the Holy
Rollers sect of Baronette, Barron
county, were caught in the federal
dragnet on charges of having coun-
selled their members not to register
for the draft. Bail in each instance
was fixed at $1,000. The men under
arrest are: James Christian, Louis and
Edward Larsen, Caesar Fredericks
Peter Wedlund, Hans Reuned and Os-
car Moedberg. All entered pleas Of
not guilty. Other arrests on the in
dictments returned will be made as
rapidly as the persons named are To-
Gated. 1t is understood that those ar
rested under the espionage act and
who stand on their plea of not guilty
will be tried at the July term Of the
federal court to be held in Eau Claire