Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1923-05-16
STATE DROPS
PATTERSON
DEATH INQUIRY
Farmer Wins Freedom
After Preliminary

Upon motion of Dist. Atty. Clement
son Arthur Patterson, West Grant
farmer held for preliminary hearing
in connection with the death of his
wife, Mrs. Elva Patterson, was set at
liberty following a hearing Thursday
afternoon.
Mr. Clements n's motion followed
an address by Arthur Kopp, attorney
for Patterson. Mr.. Kopp argued that
no evidence has been produced to
warrant holding Patterson for trial
for murder AS Mr.. Clementson CON
Cured, Justice Burrows, presiding,
dismissed the action.
Testimony was taken entirely from
the states witnesses. Drs. Lewis,
Mclaughlin and Baldwin testified as
to attending Mrs. Patterson. They
had no evidence as to foul play. r.
n. HOskins, undertaken, said he had
cared for the body and noticed dark
confusion on the right hip. He paid
no particular attention to this at the
time.
Testimony was next taken from DR..
Wilson Cunningham, one of the au-
topsy physicians. He told of a con-
gested condition in about 80 inches
of the bowel, indicating cause Of
death from hemorrhage. IntoXication
and shock from obstruction of bowel
due to thrombosis or blood CLOTHING il
veins, would act as a cause, the doc
tor said.
DR.. Cunningham's opinion was that
the cause of hemorrhage was a con-
fusion produced by a blow received
when the muscles were unfexed. He
explained briefly that when a person
is aware that a blow is coming the
muscles stiffen involuntarily to take
the EFFECT of the blow. This would
cause confusion on the outside sur
face, But should the blow come un-
awares the shock would be trans
mitted to the interior inficting dam
age without any apparent damage to
the exterior.
In DR.. Cunninghams opinion Mrs.
PattersOn's condition was due to
confusion or blow Of some kind.
DR.. S. w. Dooiittle, following, con-
Cured, with DR.. Cunninghams find
ings except that he declined to say
what he thought was the cause Of
death. This, he said, might be due to
a number of causes or even from dis
ease.
A astrological report of DR.. Bunt-
ing, State Pathologist, was read. The
report confirmed the examination Of
inquest physicians. DR.. Bunting de-
clined to state that he believed that
abnormal and diseased conditions he
noted in samples Of viscera sent him
were due to any act of violence. This
point was significant and is said to
have. had strong influence in causing
the case to be dropped.
Ruth Stark, IA, and lola Stark, 10,
children by former marriage, were
next called. They told of Patterson
coming home drunk Feb. Is, the day
before Mrs. Patterson was taken ILL.,
Ruth said that a quarrel arose and
that Patterson struck his wife in the
chest several times. Mrs. Patterson
was knocked against cupboard, the
child swore The little girl tried to
protect her mother, she said. Pat
terson continued in drunken state
until next day when the doctor was
called, according to Ruth's testi-
mony. Iola's testimony confirmed
Ruth's.
Sam Blum, Is, a farmland employ
ed by Patterson from Jan. 81 to Feb
10, was next called. He told of quar-
rels and said that about Feb. II he
saw Patterson throw his wife on the
floor and kick her in the head. Blum
helped the woman to bed, he said, and
about II that night Patterson pulled
his wife from the davenport and or
dered her out of the house. Mrs.
Patterson went outside, the witness
testified, coming back in Is minutes
upon urging by Blum and the little
girls.
Mr.. Clementson, while stating that
he had no positive evidence to hold
Patterson, declared him to be brute
who deserved good horsewhipping
to say the least.
Patterson, a man of fine appear
ance, preserved a quiet demeanor at
the hearing and received the con-
gratulations of his family and friends
at the close.