The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1921-06-29
STATE PURSUES
EFFORT TO PIN
GUNNER GUILT
Preliminary Hearing of Fargo
Hotel Clerk is Con.
#% tinued
CRIME is DETAILED
CRIME is DETAILED
State Puts, Witnesses on Stand
To Tell How Marie Wick
Was Murdered

Fargo, June 20 The preliminar,
hearing of William GUNNER, %
charged with the murder Of Marie
Wick, 18. Grygla, Minn., continued to-
day with testimony on circumstances
surrounding the death of the girl
Gunner was night clerk in the hotel
where Miss Wick was found tied In
her bed gagged and with skull frac.
tured. ,r a.
Crowds Of curiosity seekers VIII,
yesterday jammed the corridors OF the
court house had abated somewhat.
Sheriff Kramer OF Cass county, tes.
tilted to Investigations made by him
Immediately after the murder. The
state continued attempts to show jus,
how the murder had been committed
and introduced evidence to eliminate
certain guests Of the hotel as possible
suspects. aa.-
Receive Telegram.
A telegram received at the offices OF
Attorneys Barnett and Richardson
while vague and unsatisfactory, hat
created no little interest and discus
sion, In connection with the prelim-
mary hearing OF GUNNER. The mys-
terious signer, Thomas Dowd, is un-
known here as far as can be ascer.
tained. Persons having knowledge OF
the telegram are waiting to see If BY
any possibility there will be any fu1.
ther Developments that will throw any
light on the horrible crime now un-
der investigation.
Following is the telegram:
minneapolis, MINI.
attorney Barnett and Richardson,
Fargo, North Dakota.
II have tried to reach the sheriff at
Fargo, l wrote two letters and no an
swer and one letter to states attorney
no answer yet, also. Stop the hear
ing of the Prescott murder trial until
you hear from me and advise me at
once. Thomas DOwd."
A telephone call from Minneapolis
tinged with like mystery was received
at the Courier-News Offices last night
After being connected with the editor
ial rooms. a mans voice asked what
progress had been made in the Wick
murder trial. Upon being told that
1t was about half way through, the
unknown voice Immediately cut off
after quick "thank you"
Efforts to locate Thomas Dowd in
Minneapolis who knew anything about
the case were unsucc essful last night.
Persons who went to the trial yes
terday with the hope Of hearing the
states attorney flash some hitherto
untouched evidence of a sensational
nature were disappointed. The prose.
cutiOn proceeded smoothly and slowly
evidently with the aim of first exclud-
ing any possibility of guilt on the part
Of the other persons who either were
in the hotel on the night of the mur-
der or had in any way been connected
with the actions Of the girl after her
arrival In the city.
Establish Fact Of Crime.
The prosecution is conducted by
States Attorney w. c. Green, the de-
fense Of the accused man being in the
hands of Judge w. Fl. Barnett, Fargo
and Claire F. Brickner, Fargo, who are
assisted by Judge H. E. Swenson OF
Devils Lake, a brother-in-law Of the
accused. ."..
When the case was continued at
P. M. yesterday afternoon, 1t was hard
ly though possible that the hearing
would be completed today as there
are many witnesses to be examined
and. the state indicated that it might
recall a number Of those who were
called yesterday.
Crowd Scranbles.
During the entire afternoon the vi
cinity of the court house resembled a
picnic ground, little groups Of people
having congregated here and there
over the grounds and in the shade OF
trees for a block or more in either
direction from the grounds.
Three hours before the preliminary
examination of the murder suspect
was scheduled to begin. a crowd was
beginning to gather at the county court
house. A goodly portion of the early
arrivals were women, many of them
having their lunch baskets on their
arms. As the crowd continued to come
into the court house and the estimat-
ed seating capacity OF the court cham
ber was reached the doors were closed
and special officers drafted from the
city fire department and elsewhere
placed on guard.