Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1923-01-17

He said there vas some talk about
cutting down some timber on his
land to be used for railroad ties and
that he (Kneeskern) told them TO go
out and cut all the timber they
wanted; but if they got better than
working wages out of it they could
give him the balance and everything
would be o. X.
he said he asked Frank Tehel 70
so, out hunting with him. but that
Iehel replied, 81 would, but have
Mt got license"
Drives to Cabin
kneeskern said he then started out
alone and that his gun and am
munltlon We're in the back of his
car. He left his car in the "jop IN
the road west of Swenson's. re-
moved his gun, ammunition and
coat, also the groceries ne had pur-
chased for the Van Bucklins, from
the car, followed the footpath 10
the bridge near where the cabin was
situated where Elmer Van Brocklin
had lived, then swung along a foot
path from there to Charlie and Ir-
ene's cabin.
He said he thought that he must
have arrived at the cabin at about
lilo O'Clock, as he stopped at Van
Horns house just before he start
ed out from Castalia, looked at his
watch there and it was just 1890
o'clock.
At the cabin when he entered il,
he said, were Charlie and Irene Van
Brocklin, Will Cook and George
Moore. He said that there was some
talk about an old blind mare that
he had given to Charlie and that
Charlie told him he had chance 10
sell it for $12. He said that Charlie
paid him for the groceries with a
check, and that he returned change
due Charlie in cash.
He learned that Elmer VanBrock-
lin was in the neighborhood through
conversation that occurred in the
cabin. Irene said Elmer was down
there, he said. When asked what
he had heard had occurred earlier
in the day between Charlie and
Irene and Elmer, Kneeskerm start
ed to answer but the court again
called attention to the ruling that
no testimony relating to what, was
said about Elmer when Elmer wa
not present could be given.
Shot at Coffee Pot
Bobby Schoonmaker, 10 years old,
was the next arrival at the cabin,
Kneesken said. There was more
talk about the horse deal and
Charlie started to leave the cabin.
Where are you going?" Kneeskern
asked Charlie.
"Over to Swenson's" was the re-
ply, according to Kneeskern.
Hurry back want to hunt o
little. Shall | give you a start ?"
,Kneeskern said to Charlie, he testi-
| fed. ~.
Kneeskern said he was standing
in the doorway of the cabin and
that Charlie pointed to a can about
| 40 or so fee away.
"Shoot it." Charlie shouted 10 him,
, Kneeskern said.
Kneeskern said that he shot at
the can, which was in reality an
old coffee pot, and then went back
into the cabin.
Talked of Corn Thefts
George Moore, Bobby Scnoor-
maker and Irene were still in the
cabin, he said, and there was some
talk about a corn DEAL (alleged
thefts of corn by Elmer NanBrock-
inn. Kneeskern said that he turn
ed to George Moore and said for
Gods sake 90 AND have that affair
settled" Moore said that he would
according to Kneeskern, and then
Moore and Bobby left, leaving nun
(Kneeskern) and Irene alone in the
cabin.
al told Irene to get ready 10 go
hunting, as Charlie would be cacK
soon" Kneeskern said.
"Where was Charlie Van Brock
lin the last time you saw him." At
torney Hart asked.
"He was walking along the road
towards Swenson's," kneeskern re-
Piled.
"Was that the last time you saw
him alive?" :.
al never saw him alive after that. ;"
IL walked in a southerly dlrec-
ton from the cabin, then went a con-
siderable distance TO an old sawmill.
| saw someone approaching the cabin
it was near the footbridge, the one
towards the Moore residence. ] did
not know who it was. | thought il
was Charlie coming back, so ] head
ed in the direction of the cabin.
When I got four or five rods from
the cabin ! heard a quarrel. Then
I heard some one say III shoot you,
,,ou Then i
thought | heard a shot. After that
| turned west. | heard faint sound
as though someone was closing a
door, or a dull thud as though some
one had been hurled against the
wall. ! went back TO my car. ] was
fumbling with my shotgun, with the
safety device, with the gun pointing
towards a corn shock. pulled the
trigger. The gun was discharged,
the load going into the shock OF corn,
"Then I went to Cooks house and
told him of the trouble ! believed
was at the cabin. Both Of Us walk
ed back and went into the cabin
4 W. founI on the floor near the door