The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1919-12-05

Thirty men were called before a
jury was secured in the case of Dr.
A. A. Wohlrabe yesterday and the
drawing of the jurors took from
eleven o'clock in the morning until
five o'clock in the afternoon. The
last juror on the list had been called
before the necessary twelve men 10
tty the case were secured.
Attorneys G. J. Ldurisch and Viii
liam Stradtmln are representing Dr..
Wohlrabe in the action. The defend
ant was in court throusAout the
proceedings in the case yesterday
also. County Attorney c. e. PhiIiipS
is conducting the case for the state.
johnson the First Witness.
Andrew G.. Johnson was the first
witness called to the stand in the
case This morning 10 testify. Mr..
Johnson related the same story as
he told at the preliminary hearing
in September. Merrill Stone was in
his store TO make a purchase short
ly before the accident happened. He
went out OF the door anu a moment
later Mr.. Johnson, who had walked
back TO the cash register, heara
screams that attracted his attention.
He hurried TO the front OF the store.
or 10 ire street and there saw the
Tsfis Coy lying on tie curb. mr.
Johnson was the first man to pick UP
the lone boy He reiated later in
cidents after the accident occurred
Testimony of r. 6. Gcrlach.
F. E. Gerlach, next witness called
a. los, HxNrr- Ln e
standing at the window OF his apart
ment on North Front street, how he
saw little Merrill Stone run out from
the store, saw him endeavor TO stop
when lie reached the street, saw him
slip and faiI, saw the car approach
ing. swerve slightly, heard the child
scream and a moment later run back
To the curbing.
Mr.. Gerlach was questioned close
ly in regard 10 the appearance OF
the car, the direction it was going,
whether he noticed the occupants
and similar questions. The witness
stated that the machine was a black
sedan. He did not notice the occu-
PANTS nor did he notice whether o.
not the glass windows in the sedan
were closed or open.
What kind OF scream did you
hear?" asked Mr.. Phillips.
III. was just an ordinary childs
scream" nswered Mr.. Gerlach.
The witness stated that the child
ran toward the curb with both
hands on his stomach. Gerlach stat
ed he then ran downstairs and when
he reached the street A. G. Johnson
was with the boy at the curb. he
stated the car did not stop but slow
ed down slightly and then went on.
Gerlach Cross Examined.
Attorney c. J. Laurisch cross-ex-
,mined the witness. He asked if the
windows in the Gerlach apartment;
we're closed at the time the accident
occurred and Mr.. Gerlach replied that
thew were. The witness, under cues
tioning by Attorney Laurisch, testl-
fed that the boy ran against inc
passing car, as nearly as he couiG
Judge. about where the running board
ended and the rear fender curved
sbruptly upward.
William Purdy, baggage car drive
for the ID. c. auto livery, was the
pext witness called by the state. MI
Purdy testified that he saw the &C
cident in which the stone Doy WaI
injured. He stated that the accident
happened about in front of A. u
Johnson's store and that he wa
driving his baggage truck short dis
lance behind the machine that strucf
the boy.
Purdy testified positively that n.
saw the rear right wheel Of the ca
mass over the body of the boy ant
that when he came out from unde'
the wheel the younester rolled Owe
ON his right side. The car he des
cribed as an enclosed machine witt
white wire wheels and an extr;
white wire wheel in the rear.
The witness stated he did not hea
the bow scream, after the accident oc
Cured. He stated that the ca
swerved slightly before he saw tn
hov came out from under the rea
right wheel. The witness was cross
examined by Attorney Laurisch, AM
several other witnesses were calle'
nv the state today.
1t is expected that the trial will las
tbe greater part of tomorrow.
Senate Orders Probe.
atph