Democratic Sentinel, Volume 9, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 November 1885 — Wartner to Suffee Death. [ARTICLE]

Wartner to Suffee Death.

The trial of Wartner for ihe murder of John Dreger commenced on Tuesday of last week, and closed with the sentence of death pronouced by Judge Ward, Tuesday night of this week. Prosecutor Walker and Ralph W. Marshall, Esq., represented the State, and F. W. Babcock, Esq., and Hon. P. S. Dwiggins, appear for the defenseThe following named gentlemen compose the jury: W. S. Coen, of Marion township; Enoch S Clark, Milroy; John Coen, Marion; Chas. E. Loshbaugh, Milroy; James W. Cowden, Barkley; Perry Marlatt, Barkley; James H. Green, Carpenter; Geo. Kissinger, Jordan; Jos. G. Hunt, Gillam; Robert F. Irwin, Carpenter; George Blaze, Gillam; Robert MichaeIs, Jordan. Witnesses for the Stat were: S. P. Thompson, Alexander Tyler, J. W. Haan, Daniel E. Fairchild, P. F. Fieldman, Witsey Punter’ Albert Brooks, Charles Dolsou’ Benj. Dolson, O. P. Robinson, Jas. W. Dout it, John Kosky, Jno. W. Gant, C. O. Spencer.

The case, briefly steted, is as follows: Wartner came to this country, from Holland, in the spring of 1883; lived in Pullman 111., one year; came to Keener township, this county, in the spring of 1884: made a precarious living by fishing and disposing of fish, and by doing odd jobs for neighbors; his victim, John Dreger, was his nearest neighbor and best friend, having assisted and accommodated him on numerous occasions; Wartner pretended t:;at money was due him in Holland, and was expecting a check for the ain’t, S4OO, with which he would purchase Dreger’s personal property, consisting of cows, etc. On the Bth October, 1884, Wartener secured Dreger to go with him to the river, a few miles distant, to bring home some fish, he claimed to have there; in the wagon he deposited the implements with which he designed to commit the crime. Dreger was that day murdered, his body weighted and sunk in the river. On returning home, Wartner took possession of the property he “coveted, claiming to have Enrchased with his check from lolland, and that his victim hiid gone to get it cashed. About the last day of Octobe, 1884, tl e body of a man was d scovered floating in the river and recognized as that of Dreger. The above are the points made by the witnesses, and in theicoaf eseion made to Mr. Douihit. Last January, on plea of guilty, he was sentenced by Judge Ward to differ de th, r but the Supreme Court remanded it. back for jury trial, and the jury, last Sunday affixed the same penally. The defense was insanity but was not sustained. On Monday moiling the proceedings were interrupted by the occu -rence of a sad accident in the family of Mr. Babcock, one of the attorneys for the defense. On Tuesday evening Messrs. Babcock and Dwiggins moved for a new trial and argued it with force and ability; Mr. Fraser, .representing the State, resisted the motion. After hearing argument the Court refu edthe motion and proceeded to pass sentence.— lhe Judge, through an interpreter, announced to the condemned the verdict of he jury, am t asked i- ; he hud anything to say v.hy the judgment should not be pronounced? He responded: “Only h.t a should like to live.” A in rt pause occurred at this point, nd the prisoner fainted, falling ii - 1 ' ■i. o t■.!< j• 1 .or. ciisaluTab■ e .-miu.'an .'cllowed. Ader restoy•ur. cs were administered by Drs. •Vashbitrn ami Hartsell, Ik was P ■ ■ : ’.abl >:nd w leu? con_ »a3re no edjyingthere ills jiiugiacnt was ann niuced. February 26th, 1886, is the date hxed for his execution. . F. Priest, at the Chicago Grocery, wants a chance at your Butt r > «ud country produce generally. Farmers, give him a 1 call. • i

‘Than' Reeve has purchased the property of F. W. ( ole on South Vanßensselaer street. The Excursion Train, next Wednesday, will run on regular schedule time and arrive in the city at noon. The last Excursion of the sea. son will go to Chicago on next Wednesday, November 18th.— Fare for round trip, $1 50. Train leaves Rensselaer at ?:30 a. in., and on return leaves Chicago at II p. m. Trains stop at Marlboro and Pleasant Ridge. F ire from these places $1 50.

E. E. Quivey, who has practiced dentistry in this city for the past six years, moved, this week, to Rensselaer where he opens a dental office. Ed is a young man and a good dentist withal, and although he has done a good business in this city he tel’s us he has prospects for something better in hia new location. We can cheerfully recommend him to the people of Rensselaer and vicinity, who have aching molars and to the general pub. lie. —North Manchester Journal. Dr. Q. is located in rooms over the Hardware store of N. Warner <fc Sons.

Goods delivered at ill points in Rensselaer, from the Chicago Grocery. Consult your interests and buy now at cost, of Hemphill & Honan. 2 i extensive stock of new Clothing just received and opened out at Fendig’s,