The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1920-03-26
Council Chamber Turned
Into Court Room
STORIES TOLD ON STAND
Defendants Finally Waived the
Examination; What Was
Brought Out
From Tuesdays Daily.

interest mas DeeH TAKEN III IL CiSe dis
that of the hearing of Aomer & Kael,
which was held this morning before
Judge Hiram Golf in the municipal
court, on the charge Of arson in the
first degree. Long before the hour
for the hearing large crowds gathered
at the city hall in order TO listen to
The testimony. In order to accom-
odate the throngs OF curious people,
il was finally decided TO hold the
hearing in the council chambers.
Ever since the alleged attempt OF the
two defendants to burn the building
at 3l3 North Front street on the
night OF March Is people have
watched closely all developments in
The case.
The defendants were represented
this morning in court by Regan &
Grogan, while County Attorney c. +.
Phillips conducted the examination
of the witnesses for the state. Evil
donce was taken by the state up 10
q few moments before noon today,
when the defendants attorneys waiyy-
ed further examination OF witnesses,
and Judge Con bound the two de.
PENDANTS over to await the action OF
the grand jury at the June term or
the district court. . -
AT the opening of the hearing Mrs.
Aomer, wife OF Albert Aomer, one OF
the defendants in to action, was
present. with her brother, Mark King,
and sat throughout the taking OF the
evidence. much of which pointed
stronely toward the guilt OF her hus-
rand. She displayed no emotion
whatever.
First Witness Called.
The first witness called to tho
stand for the state was Fire Chlef
Ben Bangerter, who testified as to
receiving the call on the night OF
March Is about 1920 He described
at some length the finding of kero,
sene- saturated mops and other ma
terial in the building at 313 North
Front street, which pointed conclus-
jyely TO a fire of incendary origin.
, Chief Bangerter in his testimony
brought out the fact that the second
floor building on the night in ques-
ton. and for several months previous
had been occupied by Leo Klugherz
and his wife and two children.
Much of Chief Bangerter's evidence
, vas practically the same as his state
ment TO The Free Press the day fol-
lowing the fire. The basement was
found to contain a box of kerosene
soaked mops etc, in which had been
n,aced lighted candles. All of this
evidence had been carefully preserv-
ed and turned over to the custody oil
Chief of Police Jacob Hilgers. In
addition to finding the oiisoaked
MONS. etc. large number OF car
tcr,s of matches were found along the
drygoods side of the store. inc
cross examination of the witness. by
MIR. Grogan failed to bring out any
additional evidence. .
Captain Funk On Stand.
.rCaptain William Funk of the local
are. department was next called to
the stand. He stated that he and
FSreilan Jesse gained entrance TO the
building through the rear door which
was forced. Just inside the rear door
ON the first floor of the building Cap
tain, Funk found Two boxes, contain :
ing oil. soaked mops, in which lighted
candles had been placed. Over one
M these a dress had been placed and
this latter was partly burned. This
evidence was carried out OF the
building by Herbert Roos, one OF the
firennen. and turned over to Chief OF
Police Hilgers, who Immediately look
the same to the police station. In the
cross examination of the witness
Captain Funk stated that Leo klush-
err who lived on the floor above
aided him in breaking in the rear
door. When they entered the store
they found that all Of the window
shades web drawn down.
-. First Assistant Is Witness.
First Assistant Fire Chief Ernest
Eal,enstein stated that when he heard
the fire alarm he was at home Dut
ran the intervening three blocks TO
the fire, and arrived there Few
moments after the arrival OF the men
from the central station. He tried
tn enter the basement on two diner
emf occasions, but his lantern went out
eoch time the smoke and gas was SO
dense. II was not until the arrival OF
FIREMAN Jesse who had on gas
mask that the basement could be
entred. Like the witnesses who
testified before him Mr.. Fallenstein
told of finding the boxes containing
the damaging evidence against the
two defendants. In addition TO the
boxes. pals and coal scuttle, which
had evidently been, used TO carry the
kerosene oil with, were found in the
basement. 49,. 3D..
Asked in the cross examination
whether the building was heated by a
furnace in the basement, Mr.. Fallen
stein answered in the negative. He
said that the building was heated by
a stove on the first floor.
Fireman Albert Roos testified as
TO finding the boxes of oil soaked
mops with NcandlSs placed among
them Just inside q u rear door OF the
store. He said That these had been
turned over to Chief OF Police Hill
gers. ..ss
Sore Amusement 0ccasioned.
Considerable amusement was caus-
ed by The testimony of Clarence Tay-
lor. who testified that hearing the
department wagons dashing to the
fire he caught the aerial truck and
arrived at the building soon after the
alarm. The front door was locked and
,he curtains were down at the time.
Captain Funk. who is a light weight
called upon Clarence. who tips the
scale at about $50 pounds To
throw his weight against the
door. "The second jolt ] gave