| |
What a sad, sad tale.
We've been looking
for Nellie's second husband Louis Blow for quite some time now.
What a shame to find him under such awful circumstances.
Though it's good to finally get some answers. We can't pretend to
interpret this material yet, so for now we'll just post what we have.
EagleEye Bill & EagleEye Jeane,
you guys
are the BEST.
Anoka
County Union, December 29, 1874
A TERRIBLE MURDER!
A MAN STABBED TO THE HEART
We have learned but few particulars of a terrible murder
committed at Centerville, in this county, last Saturday
night. It seems that quite a number were at a
house warming, and nearly all present imbibed pretty
feely of poor whiskey, &c. A quarrel arose between
five or six of them, and Louis Bleau, a half-breed,
received a stab in the heart, killing him instantly.
The weapon used was a knife. On Sunday, the
Sheriff, Coroner, and others, went from here to
Centerville, and as they had not returned before we went
to press, we have failed to get the full particulars,
but will endeavor to give them in our next issue.
|
Anoka
County Republican, December 31, 1874
The Knife - A Man Stabbed and Instantly Killed at a
Dance Near Centerville.
On Sunday
morning last Coroner McCann and County Attorney
Butterfield were notified that a man had been murdered
the night before at a dance at the house of Wm. Ramsden
jr. in the western portion of Centerville Township and
some fifteen miles from this city.
They immediately proceeded to the place, and found the
remains of a half breed named Louis Bleau, who had been
stabbed and almost instantly killed by a man named
Nicholas Mulladore. From what could be gathered at the
inquest it appears that Nicholas and Mathew Mulladore,
brothers, had a grudge against the murdered man, because
he informed against them for stealing fish some time
last spring.
Knowing that he was to be at Ramsden’s they went there
for express purpose of getting up a row with him. And in
furtherance of the plan, they informed a young man named
Traverse that he must assist them; he being a partner of Bleau’s in hunting and trapping, he refused, and they
pitched into him. This was outside the house. Bleau and
one or two more hearing the fracas, went out, and Bleau
immediately pitched into the Mulladores.
This was what they wanted, and they stopped fighting
Traverse, and commenced at Bleau. Traverse and the
others, not wishing any fight to take place, parted them
and was trying to get Bleau into the house, when
Nicholas Mulladore called him an opprobrious name, where
slipping out of his coat, which he left in the hands of
his friends, he again pitched into Mulladore. His
friends then went into the house, leaving the two to
fight it out in their own way.
This was the last seen of Bleau alive. In a few minutes Mulladore went into the house. Showing marks about the
face and head of severe pounding, washed himself and
went upstairs to bed. About half an hour afterwards,
some person going out of doors, found Bleau just
breathing his last, having received two terrible
cuts-one in the fleshy part of the thigh, and the other
in the pit of the stomach, latter causing his death.
The theory is that Bleau got Mulladore down and pounding
him when, drawing his knife – a large jack-knife with a
blade about three inches long, which was found covered
with blood near where the fight occurred-he reached over
and inflicted the wound in the thigh. This it is
supposed, cause Bleau to get up, and as he did so, Mulladore struck again, this time giving the wound which
caused his death.
The
jury found a verdict in accordance with above, and both
Mulladore were arrested, Nicholas as principal, and
Mathew as an accessory. They will have their trial at
the term of the District Court which meets in this city
in January.
|
Anoka
County Union, january 26, 1875
THE
MURDER CASE
Description of
Mulladore!!
THE JURY!!
All The Important
Testimony!!
CONFLICTING
EVIDENCE.
The Attorneys
Arguments.
THE JUDGE'S CHARGE.
Given to
the Jury Wednesday Afternoon.
A VERDICT OF
MANSLAUGHTER IN THE 4TH DEGREE!!
Many Thought it Would be Manslaughter in the 2nd Degree.
MOTION FOR A NEW TRIAL!
It is Denied!
Mulladore
Sent to Stillwater for Two Years!
&c, &c.,
&c.
|
1
|
Considerable interest was manifested in this
case, judging from the large attendance
during its entire progress. The Court
room was well filled with spectators, and
the large number present made it impossible
to keep as good order as is usual. |
|
2 |
The Court commenced at 10 o'clock Tuesday
morning, Jan. 19th. Some little time
was consumed in impanelling the jury, and it
was not until fifteen minutes past eleven
that the jury was filled. The
following gentlemen composed the jury:
T. D. Mason, Jonas Norell, A. E. Merill, A.
E. Wickstrom, T. E. Bradbury, George Foster,
A. G. Morgan, E. Roth, Mark Craft, E. A.
King, J. S. Cooper, and J. H. Pierce. |
|
3 |
Capt. M. Q. Butterfield was the attorney for
the State, and L. V. D. Heard Esq. of St.
Paul, for the defendant Mulladore. |
|
4 |
Mulladore is quite a young man, we do not
think he is yet 21 years old. Is
rather short, stout built; light hair; gray
eyes. |
|
5 |
During the entire time, no one would judge
by his appearance that he was a person
charged with a terrible crime. He was
apparently very unconcerned, and at times
seemed to enjoy it exceedingly. He is
either an exceedingly bad man, or he does
not comprehend the importance of the charges
brought against him. His actions were
not of a kind that would create any sympathy
from those present, but would tend rather to
the reverse. |
|
6 |
The case was opened by Co. Attorney
Butterfield in a few well timed remarks to
the jury; and William Travers was called as
the first witness. |
|
7 |
Wm Traverse sworn—I live at Rice Lake, this
county; on the 26th of Dec. last was at Wm.
Ramsdens, between Centreville and Columbus.
Am acquainted with the defendant; saw him
that night; had no quarrel going into the
dance; had been on good terms with him
before this; He came with me and my wife to
Ramsdens; said to McClure if there was going
to be a row, that I wanted him to be on my
side. I went out with Ramsden's hired
man to feed my horses; Mulladore was out
there. He pitched on me there; I did
not understand what he said at the same time
he "went for me;" I did not fight him; He
hit me on the head; Bleau heard that there
was a row so he came out, and they commenced
fighting right away. Theodore McClure
came out and took Louis off. After
Theodore took Louis off and we were going
towards the house, Nick called him some
name; didn't hear the name; Louis threw off
his; his coat stayed in my hands. We
were both trying to get Louis back to the
house; Louis went back to Nick; I went up to
the door to see who was fighting by the
door; The fight between Nick and Bleau was
on the N. E. side of the house. The
murder was committed about three rods from
the house. The fight near the door was
two or three rods from this place. Mr.
Ramsden and me were there; Ramsden took hold
of Louis Wenks and I took hold of Mulladore,
and then somebody came up and took me right
side of the head. It was about five or
six minutes after I left; right at the
moment it stunned me, when I got my senses
there were two on me, they were hitting me.
Ramsden took me in the house; I then went to
dancing. In about 7 minutes they
brought Louis in, I didn't see anything of
Louis until they brought him in; right away
after Theodore came up to me and said that
Louis was stabbed, most of the crowd was
near the house watching the fight, Nick said
that Louis Bleau was mean for reporting
about the fish. Some thought that
Louis was drunk and some that he was dead. |
|
8 |
Cross ex.—Theodore McClure, Bleau, and me
were partners hunting and trapping. We
were out about 7 miles from where I lived,
we had been there about a week; went home
before Christmas; Louis Bleau is his name,
he was about 22 years old; was a little
taller than me, was a little heavier built,
was no relation to me. Theodore
McClure is my cousin; Ramsden's is about 3¼
miles from my house; this was a house
warming; I left my house at about 4 o'clock,
started in my team with Louis Wenks, and
Nick Mulladore, on our way there we had no
trouble; the dancing had not commenced when
I got there; Matts Mulladore hadn't got
there; he came a little while after; Nick
had been over to the butchers three or four
days before the dance; it wasn't long before
the two hunters came, they knew I was going
to be there; they came there to get my team;
they were not invited; I told them before I
left them that I was going to be there; I
did not tell them to come to the dance; they
did not join in the dance when they first
came there; in about half an hour Louis
danced; they wasn't dressed well enough,
they had just come out of the woods.
They were feeling pretty good, and were
singing; I stopped them; Louis Wenks was
dancing in this set; I wasn't dancing; I
think Nick was in the cotillion; they hadn't
seen each other for a long time; I stopped
them making a noise because I was floor
manager. McClure came down stairs and
told me if there was going to be a row or
fuss that he would be on my side; I didn't
say anything about it to Bleau or McClure; I
did not tell them that Matts Mulladore was
abusing them Louis Bleau talked about Matts
Mulladore; I didn't know what kind of fuss
was contemplated; I was floor manager and
was calling the cotillion; I was arrested;
five of us was arrested; went to Centreville
Monday; talked to Mr. Baldwin some; he is no
relation to me; is some relation to Louis
Bleau; he took me out along and talked with
me about it; told him what I knew about it;
didn't hear Nick calling me, he may have
called me, he mumbled over something that I
didn't understand. He struck me and
knocked my hat off; I didn't know which
Bleau or Nick struck first; Bleau knocked
Nick down twice; I caught hold of Bleau; he
was a good fighter. |
|
9 |
Here the Court took a recess until 2
o'clock. At 2 o'clock the court was
called to order and the cross examination of
Travers resumed. Bleau had on a short
coat; I do not know whether he had on more
than one shirt; I think he had on a vest.
The last I saw of Nick was six or seven
steps from where they fought; didn't hear
Louis say anything to Nick; once I thought
Louis called Nick some kind of name a dutch
pup or something similar; Nick would step
back; I turned back and went to the house,
and Louis was going for him; McClure and I
got Louis towards the house, Nick kind of
stayed back; Nick must have said something
for Louis turned back; but didn't hear what
it was; I left McClure and Bleau together;
we didn't pitch on Mulladore; I had drank
some three or four glasses of beer; Bleau
and McClure had drank some also; McClure had
a knife; it was a hunters knife; I had a
small knife; he carried his knife in his
belt. We carried them until we were
arrested when we gave them up; a German
fellow handed me my hat, it was a little
ways from the house; it was near the house
where the hat was thrown down; Nick was mad
at Bleau about some fish; Nick had no more
reason to be mad at him than I; I had no
curiosity to ask McClure what the trouble
was about when he said there was going to be
a row. |
|
10 |
Redirect ex.—Lost my hat near the door.
The witness displayed the Bleau knife; I let
him have this knife myself; this is all the
knife he had; didn't have my knife out at
all; it [was] the Sunday after the
occurrence that I talked to Mr. Baldwin.
He told me to swear to just what I knew.
I know of no reason why Nick would make an
attack on me; he said a few words but I did
not hear what they were, I thought he might
have heard something I had said; I drank
beer and one glass of cider; the other
parties I think drank beer. |
|
11 |
Cross ex.—McClure gave me this knife; I gave
my knife to Mr. Golden after Louis was found
between 10 and 11 o'clock. McClure was
the first one that had told me Bleau was
stabbed; it was after he was brought into
the house. |
|
12 |
Theodore McClure sworn—I live in
Minneapolis; have been in the woods part of
the time this fall; was hunting in
partnership with Travers; on the 26th of
Dec. was out in the woods with Louis Bleau,
in the evening was at Ramsden's, came there
about 5 o'clock Bleau came with me; we
didn't come for the purpose of attending the
party; went there to get Traver's team,
stopped there after we had seen Travers; saw
the defendant; saw Matts Mulladore; he came
up to me and asked me to take a glass of
beer, went up stairs and got the beer, he
said there was going to be a row before
morning and asked me to be on his side; I
didn't say anything then; went down stairs
and Travers was near me, and told him what
Matts had said didn't hear what it was to be
about but thought it was going to be between
Matts Mulladore and Louis Wenks. I
told Bill about it and he told me that if
there was going to be anything of the kind
that he would stick to me; told him that I
should stick with him; I was in the house
when the fight commenced; a girl, Wenk's
sister told me there was going to be a row
between Travers and Matts Mulladore, Louis
Bleau hard of it and he went out; this girl
did not want her brother to have a hand in
it; don't know whether Wenks went out; I
went out after Bleau; when I went out Bleau
was pitching into Nick Mulladore about 50
feet from the house, it might have been
less, when I saw them fighting went there
and Bleau had knocked Nick down; I then took
hold of Bleau and started towards the house;
and I let go of him because Nick called
Bleau a half breed s——n of a b——h.
When B. heard that, he turned around and
left his coat with Travers. I saw
Bleau strike at M. and M. strike at B; there
seemed to be a pretty good crowd; Bill
Travers was the closest to the fighters,
Louis Wenks was around; there was some girls
there when I saw the last fighting; they
were pretty close I couldn't tell how close;
didn't fight M. at all, didn't see anybody
fighting with M. at this time; I then turned
around and looked and Mulladore and Wenks
were fighting, and Bill T. took Wenks into
the house and then I saw Bill fall and Nick
M. on top of him; it was between 5 and 10
minutes from the time I saw this; it was
about 25 minutes before I heard said that
there was a man killed; I took no party in
any fight, what I did was by way of making
peace; I had a knife, it was a butcher's
knife, blade was about 4 or 5 inches long
and about 1 inch wide, I carried it just for
hunting; carried in my it belt [sic].
Did not take it out until after the affair;
came to the party in my hunting clothes, not
for the purpose of attending the party. |
|
13 |
Cross ex.—I knew Travers was there before I
went there; he told me in camp that he would
be there. We were going after him
Saturday to get him to bring in our things;
were going passed the house, and we saw a
man, and asked him whether Travers was
there; he said he was, and we asked to see
him. Nick Mulladore said he was fixed
in case of a row; thought he was armed; he
didn't show me anything. he told me
this just after we had drank our beer; he
stepped back and told me then. Thought
the row was going to be between Wenks and
Mulladore. Wenks didn't tell me that
night; Matts told me that night. Wenks
had told me last summer or spring.
Told Traverse so that he might tell Wenks;
don't know whether he did or not.
Travers was standing near the door when I
told him; Wenks was dancing; believe that
Nick Mulladore heard it; believe I told
Travers that I would stick on his side;
thought Travers would stand on Wenk's side;
haven't anything against any of them; had
just as much right to be against Bleau as
Nick; never had a row with Nic; didn't know
what the row was to be about. The
first I heard of it, was that Carrie Wenks
told me of it, and she asked me not to let
her brother fight. Traverse and Nick
were outside; didn't see them go out.
The same set wasn't on the floor.
After I heard Travers and Nick were
fighting, Bleau and Wenks went out and then
I followed out pretty quick; saw B and W
fighting when I came around the corner, I
didn't strike a blow until near the door;
saw B whirl out of T's hand. When I
got there saw Wenks fighting Mulladore; left
these two fighting alone; I didn't strike N
at all; couldn't say whether T did or not.
Went in the house but didn't dance; had my
knife on me; some said they blamed me for
it, and told them to take out my knife and
see if there was blood on it; never carried
the knife only when out hunting; that is the
reason I haven't it here; couldn't say how
long it was before Bleau was brought in;
think it was about half an hour; didn't see
Nick after this; knew B was lying there,
laying flat on his belly. We didn't do
anything; thought he was drunk, so we
thought we would leave him there to sober
off; it was a cold night; about that time
heard some noise by the hay rake; thought it
was some one looking for something to fight
with; came pretty close to B. and heard him
make a noise just as though he was going to
vomit. I was between where they were
fighting and the other fight; didn't see
Nick; he might have been behind me; didn't
have my hand on Bleau until we carried him
in the house; after it was over they went
into the house; about half an hour after the
fight they brought him in. I took B
away, but never touched Nick M; didn't
strike with a knife; didn't see Nick have a
knife. Here the defense requested the
witness to draw the knife on paper, and the
drawing was shown to the jury.
Couldn't say where Traverse was when I saw
Bleau under the hay rake; it was about 15
feet where T took off B's coat from the hay
rake; is about 40 feet from the house.
It is about 25 feet from the first
difficulty. Don't know who it was that
found out that Bleau was stabbed; a German
told me; didn't see the wound; just saw
where his clothes were cut. He had on
pants and shirts; don't know whether he had
two shirts; had on no vest. Me, Louis
Wenks and Ramsden brought him in.
Bleau and Wenks went out together; heard
Nick call Bleau a name. Nobody tried
to stop me going out where the fight was. |
|
14 |
Re-Direct—I believe Bleau went right out; I
didn't follow. Wenks had no fight with
him. Bleau said he could lick two like
Nick. I hadn't got clear up to the
other fight when Matt Mulladore came out and
cried "where's Nick?" It was about 3
or 4 minutes after I saw Bleau, when I went
up to the other fight; there were some girls
near there; after the second fight Nick came
up; didn't see him until after I saw Bleau
under the rake; it was about 15 or 20 feet
where B was found, from where I left them
fighting; I helped carry the dead man in;
didn't know he was dead; a lady said he was
dead. He was wounded as near as I can
judge near the pit of the stomach. |
|
15 |
Cross-Ex.—Travers got no nearer than where
the first fight was; about 40 feet from the
hay rake. I saw something that looked
like a coat on the hay rake; don't know
whether it was B's coat. |
|
16 |
B. T.
Baldwin sworn: Live in
Centreville; was acquainted with Louis
Bleau. I married his sister; he was
born in my house in 1852. I exhibited
the body to Dr. Dunham. |
|
17 |
Cross
Ex.—This was after the Coroner's trial.
He was buried in East Minneapolis. The
body was exhumed. |
|
18 |
D. C.
Dunham, M. D. sworn.—I live in Anoka; have
for nearly six years; am a practicing
physician and surgeon; had occasion to
examine the body of Louis Bleau; it was
pointed out to me by Mr. Baldwin. It
was two weeks ago yesterday. Since the
26th of Dec. Found a wound on his left
leg, nearly half an inch deep, an inch in
length; on the fleshy part of the thigh.
Found a wound across breast bone, between
the 5th and 6th ribs. We made an
incision; exposed the heart; we found a
wound clear through the heart to the cavity;
such a wound would prove fatal; found a good
deal of blood inside; he bled internally.
I asked Mr. Baldwin whether that was Bleau's
body, and he said it was. |
|
19 |
The cross
examination brought out nothing new. |
|
20 |
Michael
Golden sworn:—I was at the house of Wm.
Ramsden; came there at 10 o'clock; Bleau was
dead when I got there. Mr. Ramsden,
Travers and I hunted after the knife; found
a knife under some lose [loose] hay; the
knife was found about 50 feet from the
house; when found it was partly under my
foot; it was opened; there was a little
blood on the knife. The knife was put
in Justice Church's hand. I was
present at the defendant's examination and
heard what he admitted. He said he
thought it was his knife; said he was
pitched on to by Travers, McClure and Bleau;
he threw up his hand and got wounded, and
then he drew his knife, opened it and struck
at some one. |
|
21 |
Cross
Ex.—He said he meant to strike at Travers,
but must have struck some one else.
Travers was the first one who called my
attention to the knife; it was about 25 feet
from the hay rake. I suggested the
idea of hunting for the knife. I was
not at the party; was sent for. The
hay rake is between the house and stable.
Was not much travelled where the knife was
found. There were tracks near the
knife, as though some one had crawled on
their hands and knees; don't remember
whether there was a coat or not on the hay
rake; believe there was a coat wrapped
around his shoulders. I arrested
Travers, McClure, Wenks, Nick and Matts
Mulladore. I arrested them all, so as
to get the right one. I left them at
Ramsden, until Monday morning. Parties
might have communicated with the prisoners;
didn't pay much attention to them. Mr.
Baldwin was there Sunday. |
|
22 |
The
re-examination failed to bring out any new
facts. |
|
23 |
G. W.
Church sworn:—I took the preliminary
examination; the knife in question was left
in my charge; defendant said that his knife
was this (showing a knife). He said
after he got this cut on the hand, he took
out his knife and struck at some one.
The witness produced the testimony taken at
the examination. He said he went out
and Travers followed, he and I were
fighting, took out his knife, and struck at
some one. |
|
24 |
Travers
re-called.—I threw the coat down to one
side; couldn't tell where I threw it; it was
found afterwards on the hay rake; think it
was the dead man's coat. Mr. Golden,
Ramsden and me were hunting for the knife;
we found it pretty near where I had seen
them fighting. |
|
25 |
Cross
Ex.—The knife was found about a rod from the
hay rake. Of course when I turned
around they were out of my sight; when I
turned around again Bleau and Nick were
together; don't know what took place between
them after that. I didn't put the coat
there, I threw the coat. When they
were fighting the moon was getting up; it
rather dark; you could see a little bit. |
|
26 |
The State
here rested, and the defense requested a
little time for preparation, and Court
adjourned until 7 o'clock, p.m. |
|
27 |
Court
convened at 7 o'clock promptly. The
defense called Matts Mulladore, who was
sworn: I live in St. Paul; have lived
with Mr. Heil, within 4 or 5 miles of
Ramsden's; came there with Heil, his wife,
and four daughters. These hunters were
not there at first. Had not seen Nick
for 3 or 4 weeks; didn't talk with Nick
about it; didn't anticipate any affray; I
had a pocket knife, white handled, small
sized. Didn't expect these hunters
there; heard that Louis Wenks was to be
there; didn't tell them about any trouble;
was up stairs when I heard the affray; went
down stairs and asked where Nick was.
Went out doors; some one hit me two or three
times; got a black eye and a scratch on my
face; I wasn't knocked down; didn't see Nick
at all; saw him on the bed when I saw him;
didn't see him carried up stairs; didn't see
him when I was being struck. |
|
28 |
Cross
Ex.—I had a drink with Theodore; I invited
him to drink up stairs; we drank beer and
cider; had no conversation with McClure;
didn't tell him I expected a row; heard up
stairs that Nick was in trouble; don't know
who struck me, I tried to strike back.
It didn't hurt me much. Mrs. Heil and
a shoemaker in Centreville took me in the
house; was out but a few minutes, just long
enough to get a rap or two on the head;
didn't see Nick when he was taken in; don't
know anything about the fight that Nick was
in; am on good terms with McClure and
Travers. |
|
29 |
Frank
Landgraver sworn: Was a Ramsden's on
this occasion; didn't know anything about
this affray. Went out to the stable to
take care of my horse, and found the cap;
was gone about ten minutes; saw Nick and
Travers outside; I found the cap about 10
feet back of the wood pile; it was about 50
or 55 feet from the house. I handed
the cap to Travers. Heil's girls took
Nick and carried him towards the house;
didn't notice how they carried him. |
|
30 |
Cross.—The girls rubbed him with snow; the
fighters were near the wood pile; the wood
pile was about 45 feet from the house.
Have never been there since. Am not
certain whether it was Matts or Nick they
took in the house. There are two wood
piles; it was near the big wood pile I found
the cap. It was near the stable.
It was then I saw the Heil girls taken Nick
in. Was a witness before Justice
Church. Don't remember whether I
testified that I found the cap 10 or 12 feet
from the house or not. |
|
31 |
Wm.
Ramsden sworn.—This affair happened at my
son's house. I live about a mile from
there. I heard three or four go pass
my house; they were shouting and singing.
They felt pretty good. It was about 8
o'clock when we got there. They were
dancing. I went up stairs with two
gentlemen and got a glass of cider apiece,
and paid for it myself. Hadn't been
there but a few minutes when Nick and
Travers went out together. I heard the
noise. McClure was dancing. Then
McClure went out, followed by Wenks.
They had a general fight. Matts didn't
go then. Wenks came in and said he
could whip anybody in the house. I
told Wenks to be still. Then in came
Travers and he could lick anyone in the
house. Then Matts went out. They
brought the defendant in, pretty well
covered with blood. They were leading
him, and took him up stairs. Some of
them said he was pretty badly cut up.
Some of them came in and said that there was
a man dead or drunk. I got a light,
and went out and found a man, felt of his
pulse. I then told the fiddlers to
stop as a man was dead. I saw a coat
on the hay rake. I told them that none
could leave the house. I told McCLure
that he could take his team and go for a
Constable. The language of both Wenks
and Travers was strong. I didn't go
outside until Mr. Golden came. Bleau
had three shirts on, and I opened them and
saw that he was stabbed. Golden,
Travers and myself went out to look for the
knife. There was a little blood on the
knife. When I went to the man, saw the
coat on the rake I covered him over with the
coat. I saw the wound; it didn't look
to me more than an inch and a half long.
We got a door and laid him out on it.
The would loosed as though the knife had cut
crossways. I sent for the coroner
early. |
|
32 |
Cross
Ex.—I didn't see anyone the worst for
liquor; think they were all pretty straight.
I think that Travers and Nick talked some
before they went out. I didn't see the
fight. They all looked as though they
had had a fight. This boy got it the
worse, excepting the deceased man.
Matt went out last. He wasn't out
long. His case was settled quick.
Travers came in without his cap, and used
pretty bad language. He was not a
floor manager, nor I either. McClure
had a hunting knife. They were all
willing to give them up. They all
appeared to lay it to this boy. I have
not changed my theory a bit. I
remember of telling you that the Heils
didn't know anything about it. I do
not believe I said not to believe what old
Heil said. I didn't notice the
defendant's wounds particularly. I
noticed a pretty good cut on his hand.
He had a pair of black eyes. |
|
33 |
Lena Heil
sworn.—I was at Ramsden's house. My
sister and I went out; the blood was all
over Nick. The hunters were all on him.
We put snow on his head and took him
upstairs and put him on the bed, and put
vinegar on him. He had a cut on his
right hand. |
|
34 |
Cross
Ex.—The fight was by the side of the wood
pile near the house. When we carried
Nick in they were fighting yet. They
were fighting by the door and some were
fighting down by the tree. We went out
the door and stayed a little, and went right
out again. These three hunters were
fighting Nick. After we had Nick in, I
didn't go out again. There were some
parties fighting near the door. Kate
was with me. |
|
35 |
Mrs. Heil
sworn.—I was at Mr. Ramsdens the night in
question; saw McClure; didn't know their
names; know them by their clothes; Travers
and the two hunters were talking together
then they went out, Nick had no coat on;
some of them were dancing without coats,
Louis Wenks was dancing without a coat;
didn't see Wenks go out; after they brought
the dead man into the house the dead man's
partner came up stairs and put something in
his clothes, don't know what it was; my two
girls took Nick up stairs; didn't hear the
noise. |
|
36 |
Cross
ex.—The dead man's partner came up stairs
quick; that was after Nick come up, didn't
hear anything pass between Nick and Travers.
I guess Nick had no coat on when I saw him
dancing, was down stairs when they brought
Nick in; I then went up; after they had the
dead man in, his partner put something in
this bundle of old clothes, it wasn't my
business to examine it. No he is not
courting one of my girls; that question
shouldn't be brought into court at all. |
|
37 |
Nick
Mulladore sworn.—Went over to Travers in the
forenoon; spoke to Wm. about going up with
his team. We waited a little while for
Wenks. We got there about 6 o'clock.
I heard Travers speaking to McClure "Matts
has been running us down for 2 or 3 years,
and we will put a stop to it." I asked
him about it: "We are alone here
tonight and you are going for us," and
Travers and me went at it. We were
striking each other, when Louis Bleau and
McClure came out. One of them struck
me, and one of them said "Wait I'll fix
him!" I threw up my hand and I got
out, and I thought I could play at that
game. I took my knife out and gave one
strike and as I struck with my knife, I got
struck which knocked me down. The next
thing I knew when I came to myself I was up
stairs; don't know who I struck at; think it
was Travers or Bleau; could not tell which;
they were all in front of me; they intended
to strike me. One of them said, "they
would fix me." I only struck once at
them. This was right by the little
wood pile. The witness here exhibited
the cut on his hand to the jury. Had
no grudge or ill-feeling against these men.
What started me in was what they said about
Matts running on them two or three years.
I think Travers told it to McClure. He
meant L. Wenks, and he said he would put a
stop to that thing. I asked him out
doors whether they were going to take
advantage of us. We were at it when
Bleau and McClure came out. |
|
38 |
Cross
Ex.—I think Wenks told McClure, I think they
were dancing; it was a cotillion. I
heard Travers say that Matts had been
running them down, and that they were going
to put a stop to it that night. Didn't
hear McClure tell Travers anything. I
didn't go right up to him. I had my
coat off. I asked Travers to go out;
asked him good naturedly. He didn't
say he was going to clean me out, but my
brother. I said, "William, what do you
mean by this? You have got us here
alone to-night." One word took
another. He said, "we will put a stop
to it," and that didn't please me, and then
I went for him. It wasn't long before
the others came out; know it was Bleau and
think it was McClure. It was near the
little wood pile. When all three were
there, one of them said, "I'll fix him!"
Don't know whether Travers struck at me.
Don't know who was the principal one.
They all hit me. Think we were near
the wood pile all this time. Have no
recollection of Travers taking Bleau away.
When I got knocked down I stayed there.
Don't remember that they left me for a
while. Don't remember of calling Bleau
any bad name. Don't know whether I had
all the fight with Bleau. I know that
Bill didn't strike me first. If
Theodore had struck me I should have known
it. I didn't cut my hand my own self.
Didn't cut it after I got struck. That
was before I got out of sense. I held
the knife with my right hand. When one
of them said "I'll fix him," I struck at
them with my right hand. No one was
looking on. I didn't see anybody else.
I tried to strike Bill or Bleau; one of them
struck at me first. I think it was
Bill or Bleau I struck at. I never
told anybody that I struck at Bleau and
killed him. There was no particular
danger from me striking at him. I
didn't see any of them have a knife. |
|
39 |
Re-Direct.—I made only one blow with the
knife; don't know whether I hit anyone or
not. Don't [know] whether I hit anyone
with my fist. The defense rested. |
|
40 |
Wm.
Travers was re-called by the State. I
have heard the statements of the last
witness. I didn't tell McClure that
Mulladore talked about him. It is not
a fact that I struck at him, nor did
McClure. I took Bleau away. They
got together again. I didn't hear any
such words said, as "I'll fix him." I
didn't see any knife, nor did I intend to
use my knife, nor never intended to.
We didn't go right straight and find the
knife. We went up and down where they
had been fighting. When we first
discovered it, it was right under Mr.
Golden's foot. There was some snow on
it, and I handed it to Mr. G. |
|
41 |
Theodore
McClure was then re-called, but nothing of
importance was brought out. |
|
42 |
The
testimony was then closed, and it became
late, the Court adjourned until Wednesday
morning at 8 o'clock. |
|
43 |
Wednesday
morning the Court met as adjourned, and I.
V. D. Heard made his plea. He reviewed
the evidence very closely and his main point
was self-defense. Our room is too
limited to even give a synopsis of his
argument. |
|
44 |
Capt.
Butterfield handled the case excellently,
and his arguments and points were good and
comprehensive. He followed the
evidence closely, and made excellent points.
We feel like complimenting him on the
skillful manner he handled the case all
through. |
|
45 |
The Court
now took a recess until 1 o'clock. |
|
46 |
At 1
o'clock Judge Vanderbugh charged the jury.
He laid particular stress upon the trifling
manner death was regarded by the witnesses
in the case and the attendants on the party.
The charge was exceedingly impartial, and
was a very good one. |
|
47 |
The case
was given the jury at about 3 o'clock, and
at 6 it returned, bringing in a verdict of
manslaughter in the fourth degree. |
|
48 |
The
Attorney for the defense moved for a new
trial and the motion was argued Thursday
morning, but it was not allowed, and the
Judge sentenced Mulladore to the State
Prison for two years. |
|
49 |
A great
many thought the jury would bring a verdict
of manslaughter in the second degree, and
Mulladore would get sentenced for from 4 to
7 years. |
|
50 |
It is
said that when Mulladore was placed in jail
Thursday, that he wepted like a child. |
|
51 |
In the
above we condensed the testimony somewhat,
but have endeavored to give all that was
important.
END. |
.pdf
files of this article:
p. 1
p. 2
|
|
Summary of
Witnesses & Testimony in the Murder Trial of
Nicholas Mulladore
(corresponding to the Anoka
County Union story of 26 Jan 1875, above)
STATE'S ATTORNEY'S CASE (CAPT. M. Q.
BUTTERFIELD, PROSECUTOR)
|
|
Paragraph(s) |
Witness and Stage of Testimony |
|
7 |
William Travers - Examination by
Prosecutor |
|
8-9 |
William Travers -
Cross-Examination by Defense |
|
10 |
William Travers - Re-Direct by
Prosecutor |
|
11 |
William Travers -
Cross-Examination by Defense |
|
12 |
Theodore McClure - Examination by
Prosecutor |
|
13 |
Theodore McClure -
Cross-Examination by Defense |
|
14 |
Theodore Mcclure - Re-Direct by
Prosecutor |
|
15 |
Theodore McClure -
Cross-Examination by Defense |
|
16 |
Bailey T. Baldwin
-
Examination by Prosecutor |
|
17 |
Bailey T. Baldwin -
Cross-Examination by Defense |
|
18 |
D. C. Dunham, M. D. - Examination
by Prosecutor |
|
19 |
D. C. Dunham, M. D. -
Cross-Examination by Defense |
|
20 |
Michael Golden - Examination by
Prosecutor |
|
21 |
Michael Golden -
Cross-Examination by Defense |
|
22 |
Michael Golden - Re-Examination
by Prosecutor |
|
23 |
G. W. Church - Examination by
Prosecutor |
|
24 |
William Travers - Recalled by
Prosecutor |
|
25 |
William Travers -
Cross-Examination by Defense |
DEFENSE CASE (I. V. D. HEARD,
DEFENSE ATTORNEY)
|
|
27 |
Matts Mulladore - Examination by
Defense |
|
28 |
Matts Mulladore -
Cross-Examination by Prosecutor |
|
29 |
Frank Landgraver - Examination by
Defense |
|
30 |
Frank Landgraver -
Cross-Examination by Prosecutor |
|
31 |
William Ramsden - Examination by
Defense |
|
32 |
William Ramsden -
Cross-Examination by Prosecutor |
|
33 |
Lena Heil - Examined by Defense |
|
34 |
Lena Heil - Cross-Examined by
Prosecutor |
|
35 |
Mrs. Heil - Examined by Defense |
|
36 |
Mrs. Heil - Cross-Examined by
Prosecutor |
|
37 |
Nick Mulladore - Examined by
Defense |
|
38 |
Nick Mulladore - Cross-Examined
by Prosecutor |
|
39 |
Nick Mulladore - Re-Direct by
Defense |
|
40 |
William Travers - Recalled by
Prosecutor |
|
41 |
Theodore McClure - Recalled by
Prosecutor |
|
|
|
SUMMARY OF TESTIMONY
|
|
7-11, 24-25,
40 |
William Travers |
|
12-15, 41 |
Theodore McClure |
|
16-17 |
Bailey T. Baldwin |
|
18-19 |
D. C. Dunham, M. D. |
|
20-22 |
Michael Golden |
|
23 |
G. W. Church |
|
27-28 |
Matts Mulladore |
|
29-30 |
Frank Landgraver |
|
31-32 |
William Ramsden |
|
33-34 |
Lena Heil |
|
35-36 |
Mrs. Heil |
|
37-39 |
Nick Mulladore |
| |
|
|
|
|
Bill
DeCoursey's Summary of the Louis Bleau Murder Trial
Papers, Anoka County Courthouse, Anoka MN
Sorry about the hype, but there was not much
information there that we did not already know.
But going through a box full of 135+ year old
documents,
MasterCard can't come close. I was in
heaven for four hours! It was scary to
even touch what had been folded in a tight
little packet for over 100 years, the pages
would stick and threaten to tear before they
would release their secrets. But on we go
--
The file consists of a number of subpoenas
(none for Bailey or Nellie), some for the
coroner or sheriff's investigation, some for
the Grand Jury, and some for the Trial.
A number of women are named.
2/30 investigation: Catherine Hill, Lena
Hill, Susan Hill, Louis Mitchell, Mary Yost,
Sophia Yost, Frank Easton, ______
Landgrenier. (I tried to use their
spellings, later subpoenas often used
alternate spellings.)
Later actions: Mary Yost, Henry Laugrabe,
Sophia Yost, William Ramsden Jr., William
Traverse, Theodore McClure, Michael Golden
Jr., Louis Mitchell, Frank Eastrant, Wm
Ramsden, David Ramsden.
A transcript of what I assume to be the
coroner's inquest 28 December, 1874, called
an inquisition in one of the documents.
There were also documents relating to a
hearing on 30 December and this transcript
may also refer to this.
A transcript of the Grand Jury proceedings
with the bill of indictment (second degree
murder). Pretty complete but hard to
read. The original charges were
against Nicholas and Matts Mulladore, but
the Grand Jury chose to dismiss the charges
against Matthew. Listed as Appearing before
the Grand Jury are William Traverse,
Theodore McClure, Michael Golden Jr., Geo M
Church (local Justice of the Peace), D.C.
Dunham (doctor who may have served as
coroner?), and B. T. Baldwin although I
cannot find any record of his testimony.
A transcript of the trial. A
disappointment there. This transcript
is a summary of the motions, the empanelling
of the jury, NO RECORD OF TESTIMONY GIVEN OR
EVEN A LIST OF WITNESSES, the record of the
juries verdict, final motions, and
sentencing. The trial took place
January 19-20 as near as I could tell.
They did not put a date on anything, Bummer!
A list of the jury pool and the reasons for
excusal. Hard to decipher, but
fascinating. Forty prospective jurors
were examined before twelve were seated.
Seemed like a large amount to me. A large
number were challenged for bias, from both
sides. Kinda supports my ethnic
tension theory.
The piece of paper the foreman of the jury
would have given the judge with their
verdict. What a piece of History!
Notice of appeal to set aside verdict by
Attorney J.V.D. Heard to the Minnesota
Supreme Court. Seems he thought the
Grand Jury proceeding was illegal.
Miscellaneous other papers, all handwritten;
everything in the file is, some are
illegible.
It is a pretty fat file, one the biggest in
the box of about 300 cases, but most likely
the only murder case. Probably about
100 pages or so, all told. I did not
copy anything, wanted to let it stew awhile.
Anything you would like a copy of let me
know and I will get it when I return.
Now some questions that came to mind.
In that day, was it normal for justice to
move so swiftly? Less then a month for
all this to be completed seems
extraordinarily fast. What about the girls,
all subpoenaed and presumably questioned at
the investigation hearing of 12/30, and it
seems some of them for the Grand Jury at
least, but nothing at the trial or did I
miss something?
BTW, if you remember, Dan Bleau (Blue), son
of Felix, who also killed a man in a
fight, served decades in Stillwater.
Equal justice? Must have been a white
victim in that case.
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