The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1919-09-26
CASE OF DOCTOR WAS HELD
BEFORE. JUDGE GOFF
STORIES TOLD ON STAND
Eye.Witnesses Relate How Mer.
riIl Stone Was Run Over
BY An Auto


Arthur A. Wohlrabe, city health Off
Ger, charged with having knowingly
run over a person with his automo-
bile and failing to stop to give aid or
identification, was held before Judge
Hiram Goff today. The hearing start
ed at ten o'clock this morning.
Tho large number of people in at
tendance az the case testified TO the
interest which it has aroused in the
community. DR.. Wohlrabe is sus-
pected of having been driving the
car which ran over the body of lit
tie Merrill Stone, about two weeks
ago, causing injuries which later
proved fatal. DIR Wohlrabe was pres
ent in court, seated directly behind
his attorneys. He appeared deeply
interested in the proceedings and list
cned intently to each witness.
Evidence was taken slowly. Judge
Golf appeared to desire to establish
definitely the story OF each witness
and took pains TO question several
himelf. Late this afternoon the case
WAS till in progress.
Stories Told BY Witness.
F. c. Gerlach was the first witness
called by the state. Mr.. Gerlach
told of seeing the car. which he des-
CTibed as black sedan, with white
wire wheels, speed up the street after
the boy was struck. He related how
he helped Andrew Johnson pick up
the little Stone boy and carry him TO
a nearby car. after he was struck.
He stated he believed the fender
struck the 10y, and that he was not
run over.
Andrew Johnson, on the witness
stand, stated the boy had been in his
store a few moments before the acct
dent occurred. He saw the boy run
back to the sidewalk. screaming. saw
him fall on the curb and helped pick
up the PROSTATE body. Mr.. Johnson
stated the boy wore white suit and
he saw blood spot on the clothes
when he, assisted by Mr.. Gcrlach,
picked up the body.
Taxi Driver Testified.
William Purdy. driver for the ID.
c. Livery, testified that he saw the
rear wheel of the car pass directly
ever the body of the boy. saw the
body come out from under the wheel,
roll over once and then the lad leap
ed TO his feet and ran screaming to
the sidewalk. Mr.. Purdy stated that
he was driving directly behind the
car when the accident happened
The car he described as being en-
closed. with a white wire wheel be-
hind Beyond this he was unable TO
give any description because the ma
chine was directly in front OF the
car he was driving.
Dir. Purdy stated he saw the boy
as he left Johnson's store, saw hin,
run cut toward the oncomins sedan,
missed the lad a moment and then
saw his Dedy roll out from in under
the rear right wheel.
81 could see the car jolt rs it went
over the body of the boy Mr.. Purdy
testified positively.
Attorney John Temple. represent
ing DR.. Wohlrabe, cross questioned
Mr.. Purdy TO some length. County
Attorney Phillips also re- questioned
him and Judge Golf asked several
questions to Einke certain facts OF
his testimony.
North Mankatoian Called.
John f. Larson, North Mankato
painter, who testified he was driving
home in AFFORD car at the time the
accident occurred, was next called to
the stand Mr.. Larson gave the
most complete version OF the acct
dent, having been in position to
see the events clearly. He stated he
was driving home, south on Front
street and was about in front OF Sill
ber's store when he saw the boy as
lie left Johnson's grocery store.
81 saw the boy run out from the
curb. looking back. Suddenly he APP
peared to see the car coming and
tried to stop. He tried 10 stop SO
hard that he slipped down and slid,
feet first, under what appeared TO
me the middle of the car. The car
swerved TO the left as it neared the
boy. The boy fell on his back and
slid under the machine this way. |
could see the car jar. / think as 1t
went over the body. ....
Mr.. Larson said the boy then
leaned to his feet and ran TO the
Z sidewalk, screaming: I'm hurt, I'm
hurt"
The machine which stuck the
youth, Johnson testified, was a black
sedan, highly polished, had nickel
plated radiator. white wire wheels.
he declared the machine slackened
up and then went on AFTER the dc-
cident. Mr. Larson said he paid no
attention to the car, but watched the
hoy.
..If / had known the car would not
stop I'd have turned around and
taken the number" Mr. Larson said
during his testimony.
You did not see tho car go over
the boys body, you simply Judge this
took place" said Attorney Temple.
Mr.. Larson replied that the jar
was on the 'far, right hand corner
of the machine in the rear"
Mr. Temple asked if it might have
been that in swerving the machine
Continued on Page Two
would not have jolted and caused the
lar mentioned.
at might have happened, but il
didn't in this case. In this case the
lar was from human boy sal!
Mr.. Larson.
Boy SIir Uncer Car
The vitness testified he Ga not
notice the occupants of the machine
~IJnder cross examination of Mr.
Phillips he stated the boy slid under
the car, the jolt. on the rear right
hand side followed Immediately after
and then the lad emerged from in the