[ 1855 ]

STIEBER of Maple Grove

HORRIBLE AFFAIR.
A friend has furnished us with the particulars of a most horrible affair 
which occurred at Maple Grove on the night of Wednesday last.
An insane man named Stieber residing at the house of a Mr. Fred. Hartman 
during a paryxism of his disease insisted upon removing his bed to the 
cellar, to escape as he said from the devils which were pursuing him. He 
took a pitchfork and a clasp knife with him and the family retired for 
the night.
In the night Mr. Hartmann was wakened by a noise in the cellar and sprung 
from his bed to learn the cause. A soon as he reached the cellar the 
pitchfork was thrust into the breast piercing the lungs, and as he fell 
to the floor his assailant sprang upon him with the knife. He was terribly 
cut but was still living at last accounts though not expected to survive.
His wife hearing his shrieks of distress, went to his assistance, and the 
knife was buried to the hilt in her back, near the shoulder blade. The 
wound though severe is not dangerous. Stieber escaped and has not yet been 
secured. -Later. We learn that the injured man has since died.
Manitowoc Tribune, Manitowoc, Wis. Thursday, March 29, 1855 P. 3
*********
THE MAPLE GROVE TRAGEDY.
In another column we give the particulars of a heart rending occurrence 
at Maple Grove copied from our Extra of Friday. The tragedy has a second 
act still more appalling in the details.
After leaving the house of Hartmann, Stieber met a Norwegian whose name 
we could not learn and stabbed him to the heart killing him instantly. 
He then cut his own throat and sprang into the river near Clarks mills (sic)
but was rescued through the exertions of Mr. Ira Clark. The wound was dressed 
and he is expected to recover. About two years since Stieber had a stick 
thrust into his eye and doubtless injured the brain which caused the insanity. 
When taken from river he seemed quite rational but we learn that he has again 
relapsed.
LATER STILL. Stieber was brought to the Village on Sunday last but managed to 
evade the vigilance of those who guarded him, and has not since been heard 
from. Doct. Kellog dressed his wound, but he twice tore away the dressings, 
and Doct. Ks. opinion would justify the supposition that he has perished.
Manitowoc Tribune, Manitowoc, Wis. Thursday, March 29, 1855 P. 3


[ 1855 ]

BAKER'S GRIST MILL

Mr. Thos. W. Baker has purchased the whole of E.D. Beardsley's interest 
in the Baker and Beardsley's property and is now sole proprietor of the 
mills and about 800 acres of valuable land situated about four miles 
from the Village of Manitowoc. We give a brief description of the mills 
last summer; but since then a number of improvements have been introduced, 
and their capacity has been greatly increased. Neither pain nor expense 
have been spared by the enterprising gentlemen who built them; and they 
had reason to feel proud of the results of their efforts. On Tuesday last 
we accepted a polite invitation from the present proprietor and stepping 
into his carriage rode over for the purpose of seeing them in full 
operation. Though very little acquainted with the oporations (sic) of 
intricate Machinery, it was easy to discover that every thing about the 
mill was as regular and smooth as clockwork.
No jar was perceptible even in the upper rooms of the mill and the india 
rubber belting seemed to work with scarely any friction.
The effective machinery consists of one upright saw, one siding mill, 
bolting saw and lath mill, all of which were running and doing good 
service.
The foundation is solid rock, which perhaps is one reason why there is no 
shaking in the mill.
Mr. Baker informs us, that he proposes to fit the upper rooms and to devote 
them to manufacturing purposes as most of the time there is nore power than 
he can use.
A short distance above is another ????power, upon which it is proposed to 
build a Grist Mill at some future time.
The value of the property is estimated at $14,000, at present rates of 
valuation we consider it low.
Manitowoc County has some of the finest Water Mills in the State and the 
one to which we have alluded is inferior to none that we have seen, either 
here or elsewhere.
Manitowoc Tribune, Manitowoc, Wis. Thursday, May 24, 1855 P. 3.



CAPSIZED BOAT

CAPSIZE AND NARROW ESCAPE.-Mr. A.L. Edwards, a young merchant of this 
village, who is displaying commendable energy in establishing a branch 
of his business at Wolf River, started with a boat load of supplies on 
Wednesday of last week, for that place company with Wm. Babcock and 
F.A. Bocher, with a fair wind and prospect of a fine run, but when 
nearly opposite Kewaunee their boat was capsized in a squall and for 
three long hours the young men clung to the boat, mutually encouraging 
each other, until chilled and exhausted, they were about giving up in 
despair.
Fortunately the wind was off the Lake, and they were drifted toward the 
shore, when a boat manned by six stout men put off from Kewanuee and 
rescued them from their perilous position.
The boat and cargo afterward drifted on the shore and the loss was but 
trifling and the boys are on hand for another tussle with old Boreas, 
or to form another circle to call up the spirits of the vasty deep.
Since writing the above, we have seen and conversed with the "the boys." 
They are desirous of expressing their gratitude to the brave fellows 
who perilled their own lives to rescue them from impending death, and 
have furnished us with their names which we publish as follows:
Wm. Flawirt?, Gilbert Duprey, Geo. Cole, Frank E?utin, Joseph Alonzo,
_____Maurice.
The citizens of Kewaunnee by their generous conduct in assisting to save 
their boat, and by a thousand kind attentions, deserve more than a passing 
notice, and they secured the heartfelt gratitude of those to whom their 
attentions were so acceptable.
It gives us pleasure to note such generous acts as these, and to express 
the hope that they will be repeated wherever the occasion demands.
Manitowoc Tribune, Manitowoc, Wis. Thursday, October 11, 1855 P. 2


[ 1858 ]

CHARLES ROSE

THE POST OFFICE ROBBERY.
We mentioned in Saturday's paper the arrest of a clerk in the Manitowoc 
Post Office on a charge of robbing the letters which passed through the 
office. Mr. Wittman has furnished us with the following statement in 
reference to the affair, which we publish for the information of those 
interested.
It seems that only registered letters were robbed, unless there were 
some other means of ascertaining that money was sent in them, another 
proof that the present system of registering is merely a nice little 
plan for showing a thief where to find the money.
It seems that Mr. Wittman, P.M. having occasion to make out his report 
to the Department, on Saturday July 3d, was in the act of throwing the 
concept into the stove, when he discovered two packages of the New York 
Staats Zeitung ready to be consumed. Mr. W. attributed this act to 
carelessness, or want of inclination or time to distribute them on the 
part of Rose, and discharged him forthwith. But immediately upon his 
discharge, Mr. Jacob Stephani, who lives six or seven miles in the 
country, heard of it, and hurried to town to find Mr. Wittman, to whom 
he related the following facts: On the 15th of December, Mr. S. had 
mailed a registered letter containing $11, to Wolf River, Kewaunee Co., 
which Rose entered on the Register book as usual. Mr. S. shortly after 
received a letter from Wolf River saying, that his letter had not been 
received and immediately went to Rose, who said the letter had certainly 
been sent, but he would write on to the P.M. at Wolf River and see about 
it, although he had no business to conduct any correspondence connected 
with the Post Office business, and contrary to Mr. Wittman's repeated 
instructions, who alone attends to the correspondence. Mr. S. again 
called on Rose, and this time told him he should see Mr. W. in relation 
to his letter and money. Rose objected to this, and told Mr. S. that 
he (Wittman) would be angry, &c., and finally said he would pay him 
the money out of his own pocket, and on the next Sunday, did pay him 
$6.00 of it. On examining the books, Mr. W. Found that Rose had marked 
an "R" on the margin, indicating that the letter had been "received," 
at its destination, although the letter never left this place, as the 
postmaster at Wolf Rivers says he never received it, and other 
circumstances prove his statement. This is only one case in many. A 
poor woman, whose husband is in Milwaukee, laboring by the day, and has 
been in the habit of sending home three dollars a week to support his 
family, is among the sufferers, the letters being deprived of part of 
the contents in this post-office. Mr. Richter, wishing to send home the 
daguerrotype of his family, over a year ago, gave them to Rose to forward 
them to Germany. Rose stopped the correspondence between Mr. Richter and 
his father, averring all the time that the daguerrotypes had been sent, 
but finally handed them back to Mr. R. a week or two ago in the same 
condition they were in when given to him to forward to Germany. Mr. 
Wittman showed us several statements, of different persons who had lost 
money and drafts, which were sent in registered letters, and which were 
undoubtedly abstracted by Rose. The amount stolen is not known although 
several of our citizens are losers by his dishonesty. Rose will be taken 
to Milwaukee, and tried before a Commissioner appointed by the Department 
for that purpose.
The Daily Tribune, Manitowoc, Wis. Tuesday, July 13, 1858 P. 2



[ 1899 ]


Local Parties Are Interested In Street Railway Scheme.
PETITION BEFORE COUNCIL.
Referred to Committee for Investigation.-Matter Is One for 
Consideration by Citizens.
Shall Manitowoc have a street railway system or not? The 
question is one that presents itself to the public mind in 
a most forcible manner. The matter is one that demands the 
attention of the citizens and the consideration which must 
be accorded it can no longer be delayed.
At the meeting of the city council Monday evening a petition 
was presented asking that the right of way on certain streets 
be granted for the purpose of building a street railway line. 
The petition was in the form of a skeleton ordinance which 
the council is asked to consider and is as follows.
To authorize the construction and operation of a street 
railway in the City of Manitowoc, Wisconsin.
Be it ordained by the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the 
City of Manitowoc,
SECTION I. There is hereby given and granted to John Murphy, 
Isaac Craite, Henry Schmidt and W.A. Walker, hereafter 
called the Grantees and to their successors and assigns, 
the right permission and authority to lay a double track 
for a street railway, with all the necessary and convenient 
tracks, crossings, connections, switches, turntables and 
appurtenances, in and along the course of the streets, 
avenues, bridges and approaches thereto, in the City of 
Manitowoc hereinafter mentioned, and the same to use and 
occupy in the manner and upon the conditions hereinafter 
provide including all rights, subject to the provisions 
thereof, to at all times make all necessary excavation, 
ditches and trenches and to make all necessary sewer 
connections.
SEC.II. The right permission and authority hereby and 
herein granted shall expire, cease and terminate fifty 
years after the passage and publication of this 
ordinance.
SEC. III. Commencing at the northern city limits of the 
City of Manitowoc on the so-called Two River road; thence 
extending south-westerly and westerly along said road and 
on Cleveland avenue, to intersection of Sixth street and 
Cleveland avenue; thence south along Sixth street, to 
Chicago street; thence west on Chicago street to Eighth 
street; thence south on Eighth street to the northerly 
approach of Eighth street bridge; then over and across 
said northerly approach and said bridge, and southerly 
approach thereof; thence south on Eighth street to Madison 
street; thence west on Madison street to Main street; 
thence south on Main street to city limits. 
Also commencing at the western limits of said city on 
Michigan avenue; thence easterly and southeasterly to 
New York avenue; thence east on New York avenue to 
Eleventh street; thence south on Eleventh street to 
Huron street; thence east on Huron street to Eighth 
street; thence south on Eighth street to Chicago street.
Also commencing at the intersection of Eighth and Franklin 
streets; thence west on Franklin street to Thirteenth 
street; thence north on Thirteenth street to Clark street; 
thence west on Clark street to city limits.
Also commencing at the intersection of Eighth and Marshal 
streets; thence west on Marshal street to city limits.
SEC. IV. At least twenty-four hours before the opening of 
any streets or public place the said grantees, the 
successors and assigns, shall notify the Board of Public 
Works or such other officer or officers, or department 
or departments of the City of Manitowoc, as may hereafter 
perform the duties of said Board of Public Works in 
writing of such intention, stating the street where and 
the object for which such opening is to be made and said 
grantees, their successors and assigns, after the 
completion of said work shall place said street in good 
condition, subject to the approval of said Board of Public 
Works.
Said grantees, their successors and assigns, shall employ 
none but skilled workmen familiar with the execution of 
such work; and no public sewer shall be tapped unless a 
permit therefore shall be duly issued in the manner 
provided.
SEC. V. The said grantees hereinbefore mentioned, their 
successors and assigns, shall commence in good faith the 
construction of said street railroad on or before 
the....day of...18.., unless delayed by order or injunction 
of some court of competent jurisdiction not obtained by 
consent procurement or connivance of the grantees.
SEC. VI. The said grantees, their successors and assigns 
are hereby authorised to operate their cars by power 
produced by electricity by means of a storage battery, or 
conducted by wire suspended over and above their tracks 
and along the streets, avenues, bridges and approaches 
thereto, where it is authorized to maintain a street 
railroad and to erect and maintain the necessary plant, 
machinery and power houses for the purpose of generating, 
distributing and applying such electric power, and to 
erect and maintain the necessary poles, wires, cable and 
fixtures for the purpose of conducting distributing and 
applying the power as aforesaid.
The poles to carry the wire of said grantees, their 
successors and assigns including feedwires, shall be 
neat and ornamental and shall be placed at the curb line 
of the street, and shall not be set at a less distance 
than a pole to every one hundred and twenty-five feet, 
except at intersections of streets, and the wires shall 
be conducted at not less than 15 feet above surface of 
the street.
The grantees, their successors and assigns, may use 
horses to pull their cars temporarily or in case of 
emergency.
SEC. 7. The tracks of said grantees their successors 
and assigns shall not be elevated above the surface of 
the street, and shall be as near together as practicable, 
so that carriages and other vehicles can easily cross 
said streets in all directions.
SEC. 8. The rate of fare upon said railway for distances 
between its terminal points in said city, or any part 
thereof, including any extensions which may hereafter 
be built and operated in said city by said grantees, 
their successors and assigns shall be five cents, except 
where cars or carriages shall be chartered for a special 
price. One ticket or fare shall entitle any person to a 
continuous ride from any point on the railway hereby 
authorized to be built in said city to any other point 
on the said road in said city, and a convenient system of 
transfers shall be established by said grantees their 
successors and assigns.
SEC. IX. This ordinance shall take effect and be in force 
from and after its passage and publication.
The petition before the council on Monday evening last, 
brings the matter to the front and places the question 
squarely on its feet. The petitioners are, directly 
speaking, all local parties and that they mean business 
is evident from the manner in which they have presented 
their plea. The promoters of the movement are Judge Isaac 
Craite, John Murphy, Henry Schmidt, of this city, and 
W.A. Walker of Milwaukee. Mr. Walker was a former Manitowoc 
resident.
Manitowoc has a reputation throughout the state as a 
growing city and the addition of a street railway system 
to the improvements of the place, is only one more step 
toward the advancement of our metropolis. That the time 
is ripe for the movement, there remains not a question of 
doubt and the opportunity now accorded the city should be 
well considered. The building of the line in our midst 
means much. The advantages to be derived affect us, not 
alone as a city, but as individuals. The route outlined 
in the petition covers the entire city and the petitioners 
pledge themselves to faithfully carry out the issue. The 
HERALD will have more to say in the near future.
Manitowoc Daily Herald, Manitowoc, Wis. Wednesday, February 8, 1899 P.1


THE RIVAL IS COMING
Wisconsin Telephone Company Will no Longer Be the 
Whole Thing.
MATTER IS NOW SETTLED
The Councel Committee Refers Back the Ordinance and 
Suggest Few Changes-Get Ready to Celebrate.
Manitowoc will have a new telephone exchange. The matter 
was promotionally settled at the meeting of the city dads 
last evening. The few details remaining before the 
franchise can be granted will be attended to before the 
next meeting and then-well readers of the HERALD may have 
their expectations realized. The ordiance was referred 
back to the council last evening by the committee who had 
the matter in charge and a time limit was fixed. A 
suggestion was made that an instrument be placed in the 
house of Chief Dueno in addition to the other three 
instruments that the city will received free of charge. 
This change will make no material difference and will 
no doubt be readily agreed to by the officials of the 
new system.
The HERALD has advocated the new system from the time it 
was first proposed. We are satisfied that it will be an 
advantage to the public and a benefit to the city. The 
success of the system in other cities has been a motive 
which has actuated us, to a great extent, and now that 
the matter is settled, we feel assured that our 
solictitude for the welfare of the city, will meet with 
approval. We stand ready at any time to publish the views 
of others, but as far as the paper is concerned, it will 
at all times advocate the best interest of the 
community.
The council met at the city hall, Mayor Torrison presiding. 
C.J. Vogel made application to have the license issued to 
the Atlantic saloon transferred to K.K. Houghen, who will 
conduct the business. The matter was referred to the 
committee on License and upon their recommendation the 
petition was granted.
Albert Lange, admistrator of the estate of the late F. 
Albert Schmidt made application to have license 
transferred to Albert Karnofsky and upon report of 
committee to which the matter was referred, the license 
was transferred.
A communication was read from Daniel Krumely in which 
he stated that he had been illegally assessed on personal 
property and requesting the council to refund $2.95 which 
he had paid under protest. Matter referred to committee 
on assessment and taxation.
Petition of Mr. Hess for spin track was referred to 
engineer of C. & N.W. Ry., for a map of proposed track. 
The resignation of Joseph Willott, as alderman of Second 
Ward was accepted and upon recommendation of the ward 
committee, Wm. Frazier was elected to fill the unexpired 
term.
The following resolution was presented and passed:
RESOLVED-That our assemblyman and State senator from this 
county be, and they are hereby requested to favor the 
passage of a law compelling railroad companies to 
recieve (sic) cars from each other in the city of 
Manitowoc and deliver the same to factories or business 
houses on the line of the road receiving the same within 
this city, or a general law accomplishing the same 
object. 
The city clerk is directed to notify our senator and 
assemblyman.
A number of minor matters came up, claims were allowed 
and the meeting adjourned.
Manitowoc Daily Herald, Feb. 21, 1899 P.1


FRIGHTFUL ACCIDENT.
Extractor at Snow Flake Laundry Torn to Pieces While Revolving 
at High Speed.
TWO GIRLS NEARLY KILLED.
Flying Fragments of the Machine Cause Great Damage to Laundry. 
Breaking of Shaft Causes the Trouble.
By the bursting of a large copper extractor at the Snow Flake 
Laundry this morning, two of the young lady employes were badly 
injured and the building and machinery damaged to the extent of 
about $250.
The accident occurred shortly after nine o'clock. The extractor 
is a heavy copper basket twenty-six inches in diameter and about 
eighteen inches deep. This is surrounded by a cast iron cover. 
Clothes are put in this machine which is revolved at the rate 
of about 1800 revolutions per minute.
It was while running at full speed that the accident happened. 
The shafting broke and the extractor, revolving with such 
frightful velocity was litterly torn to fragments. The flying 
pieces tore down the partition to the dry room, smashed a heavy 
pully on the washing machine, and severely injured the two girls 
who were working in the room at the time.
That either of the two girls escaped with their lives is miraculous. 
Miss Bertha Burtt was struck on the right arm and side by a heavy 
piece of metal. The bones of the arm were shattered from the wrist 
to the elbow and broken in two places. Her most serious injury 
however was an internal one caused by the blow on her side. She 
was taken to her home, 830 North Ninth street, where Dr. Roberts 
attended her. She was suffering great pain from the injury to her 
side and was given an opiate. The physician says the injury is a 
serious one but is not able to give a definite opinion as to the 
result.
Miss Minnie Spoentgen the other young lady who was a victim of the 
accident, was struck on the top of the head by a piece of metal and 
sustained a deep gash about four inches long above the eye. She was 
struck on the palm of the hand and severely cut, and also hit in 
the abdomen. She was taken to her home 920 South Twelfth street and 
Dr. Frazer dressed her wounds. The cut on the head bled profusely 
and it was a difficult matter to take the necessary stitches. She 
was bruised all over her body and Dr. Frazer stated that it was too 
soon to determine whether or not she had received any serious 
internal injuries.
The news of the accident spread rapidly and it was reported that 
there had been an explosion. Messrs Gibson and Groffman both said 
that nothing of the kind occured. The shafting broke and the great 
speed at which the machine was revolving caused it to be torn to 
pieces. Just what caused the shafting to break is not known but 
the proprietors say that the extractor requires some skill to load 
so that it is evenly weighed all around and if this is not done it 
will not run even.
The force with which the pieces of iron, brass and copper were 
thrown was terrific and the wash room in the basement were the 
accident happened looked as though struck by a cyclone. One piece 
of copper and brass rim about a foot long and six inches wide went 
through the window carrying part of the sash with it and was 
picked up a few moments later in the middle of the street by a 
representative of the HERALD.
It is too soon to say anything about the extent of the injuries 
sustained by either of the young ladies. In both cases they are 
much more serious than was at first supposed and their many 
friends can only hope for the best.
Manitowoc Daily Herald, May 12, 1899 P.1
*********
INJURIES WERE SERIOUS.
Miss Burtt's Condition Is Not Improved and Is Admitted 
to be Serious.
The condition of Miss Bertha Burtt, who was injured in the 
accident at the Snow Flake Laundry Friday morning, remains 
about the same. Dr. Roberts says she was very seriously 
injured internally but that it is too soon to tell just how 
serious or what the result may be. 
She is resting as easily as can be expected under the 
circumstances and unless there is a change the worst is not 
anticipated. Dr. Fraser reports Miss Spoentgen to be getting 
along very nicely. She is not severely injured internally 
and unless complications arise she will not be confined to 
her bed for more than a few days. Luckily the cut on the 
head was not below the hair line on the forehead and she 
will not be visibly scarred. The cut on her hand is very 
painful but not serious.
The damage at the laundry is being repaired as fast as 
possible. The proprietors have not decided whether to 
put in another extractor or a large power wringer.
Manitowoc Daily Herald, May 13, 1899 P.4


IT WAS A LIVELY BOUT
Charles Higgins, the Pride of Sheboygan, Meets Defeat at 
Two Rivers.
MANY LOCAL SPORTS ATTEND
Wells Birdsall, of Two Rivers, Given the Decision Over 
Higgins-Tournament a Success.
Chas Higgins, the pride of Sheboygan's sporting element, 
was knocked out in a ten round sparing contest by Wells 
Birdsall, a Two Rivers man. The event was pulled off at 
Voshardt's Opera House Saturday evening under the auspice 
of Arion Athletic Club of Two Rivers. The affair was 
attended by a large crowd of sports, among the spectators 
being a number of people from Sheboygan and Manitowoc. 
This was the first public exhibition of the kind ever 
attempted at Two Rivers and the result was satisfactory 
both financially and otherwise.
The HERALD'S Two Rivers correspondent says of the event: 
"Higgins, who has been in training for some time, was in 
good condition. He has participated in several recent 
events and his backers had a great deal of confidence in 
his ability to put up a good fight. Birdsall is a Two 
Rivers man with a local reputation as a scientific scrapper 
and his friends were not in the least disappointed in him. 
The two men were very evenly matched in weight.
As they faced each other in the ring Higgins tipped the 
scales at 145 pounds and his opponent at 143 pounds. The 
fight was refereed by John T. Herzog of Manitowoc, and his 
accurate and prompt decisions were heartily commended by 
all.
The first round was not marked by any special features, 
but it convinced Higgins that he had a warm task ahead of 
him. After the first few rounds it was quite evident to 
the spectators that Birdsall was punishing his man to a 
finish and at the close of the sixth round Higgins was 
practically out. However he recovered sufficiently to 
enter the ring when the seventh round was called and was 
able to finish the ten rounds. Birdsall was declared an 
easy victor. His future in the prize ring is promising.
Previous to the event of the evening there were several 
interesting bouts between local boxers, and a six round 
contest between Jim Manning of Sheboygan and Billy Verno 
of Two Rivers which ended in a draw. Considerable 
enthusiasm was shown during the evening but not much 
money changed hands.
Manitowoc Daily Herald, March 6, 1899 P.1
********
It looks now as though Wells Birdsall, the Two Rivers man 
who won the decision over Chas Higgins Saturday evening 
is going to be unable to stand prosperity. He has issued 
a sweeping challenge to meet any 140 pound man in the 
country and wants to hear from George Kirwan, of Chicago.
Manitowoc Daily Herald, March 8, 1899 P.4
********
Billy McLean the man who is stated to meet Wells Birdsall of 
Two Rivers, formerly of California, in a bout in this city soon, 
is in training for the event at the Daly school, Buffalo.
Manitowoc Daily Herald, Apr. 19, 1899
********
Wm. McLean who is to meet Wells Birdsall, of Two Rivers, in 
a ten round go at Turner Opera house Saturday evening next, 
is in the city. McLean has been in training at Daly's school 
Buffalo and is in excellent trim. He says he never felt better 
in his life and is prepared to make somebody "go," when he 
enters the ring. Local sports are pushing things in a lively 
manner and will spare no effort to make the coming tournament 
a success.
Manitowoc Daily Herald, April 24, 1899 P.2



WILLIAM KOCH

TWO RIVERS MAN HURT IN COLLISION MAY NOT SURVIVE
WM. KOCH, CIGAR MANUFACTURER, HURT IN COLLISION OF MOTORCYCLE AND TEAM, 
IN CRITICAL CONDITION
LUNG PUNCTURED BY RIB; HORSE KILLED IN MIX-UP
BULLETIN
As result of reports that Koch had died, reaching the city this morning, 
Coroner Falge had made plans for calling an inquest and the sheriff was 
preparing to draw a jury when the report was denied and it was learned 
that the man was still alive. It is said that Koch was unconscious for 
some time yesterday and this gave rise to rumors of his death which were 
published by the Two Rivers Chronicle.
Injured in a motorcycle team collision near Two Rivers late Saturday 
night, William Koch, a well known cigar manufacturer of that city, is 
near death from internal injuries which he sustained in the accident. 
Fred Schmidt, a Sheboygan man, owner of the motorcycle, escaped serious 
injury. Koch occupied the side car of Schmidt’s motorcycle when the two 
started out for a drive Saturday night and made a run into the country. 
Just west of the city limits the machine collided head-on with a team 
driven by Frank Koldorf, a farmer residing a few miles from the city 
and who was on his way home. The motorcycle struck the team and Koch 
was thrown from the side car under the feet of the horses and was 
trampled upon by the frightened animals and badly injured. One of the 
horses was injured and it was found necessary to kill the animal. 
When Koch was removed to Two Rivers and his injuries attended it was 
found that he had sustained the fracture of four ribs and his collar 
bone was broken and he had suffered internal injuries which physicians 
said made his recover doubtful. The man was taken to his home and it 
was reported yesterday that he had died, but this proved untrue, reports 
from Two Rivers today saying that Koch is still alive, though his 
condition is extremely critical. The man’s lung has been punctured by 
one of his ribs. Schmidt, owner of the motorcycle, is a former Sheboygan 
man who has been employed at Two Rivers for some time past. He claims 
that the absence of lights on the farmers’ vehicle and the fact that 
the road is shaded at the point where the accident occurred, made it 
impossible for him to see the approaching team until too late to avoid 
the accident. Schmidt was badly shaken up and bruised but escaped serious 
injury in the accident. 
Koch is well known in this city and is said to have married a Manitowoc 
girl from whom he was lately divorced. He is about 32 years of age and 
had resided at Two Rivers for years.
Manitowoc Daily Herald, Wednesday, July 21, 1915, Page 8
*********
INJURED TWO RIVERS MAN, REPORTED DEAD, FUNERAL POSTPONED
Two Rivers Chronicle: “The old saying is that ‘when a man’s death is 
announced and he is not dead, he will live to a ripe old age.’ If this 
is true, William Koch has a long life coming to him. He was so seriously 
injured a week ago that it was feared his injuries would prove fatal, 
but he is slowly recovering. Just as we were going to press last Tuesday, 
a party came into our office and informed us that Koch had died and we 
announced it in the paper. The next morning Koch read about the accident 
in the Chronicle and noticed that his funeral was to take place, but the 
date was not set. Koch says the funeral has been postponed indefinitely.”
Manitowoc Daily Herald, Wednesday, July 28, 1915, Page 4


JOSEPHINE TADYCH

TADYCH GIRL, VICTIM OF BIGA-MIST PITCHER, 
HOME FOR DAY, DEFENDS MAN IN PRISON
Says She Will Rewed Him when Term Expires and He Clears Way By 
Securing Divorce as He Has Promised - Was in Court at Trial but 
Kept Identity a Secret
Intimating that she will remain true to the man who wronged her and 
that she intends to await the expiration of the prison term which he 
is serving on his promise to secure a divorce and remarry her, 17 
year old Josephine Tadych. The Manitowoc girl whom Chas. Pitcher, 
married and fled to Canada with while a Milwaukee wife and several 
in other states sought his arrest for bigamy, today left the city 
after a visit of one day at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. 
Joseph Tadych, Buffalo street. Miss Tadych or Mrs. Pitcher, as she 
pleases to be known, declined to state her destination and it is 
said that even her parents are in ignorance as to where she is 
going.
Pitcher, who was formerly a bugler on the U.S. Tuscarorn, is serving 
a four-year term at Waupun, having pleaded guilty to the charge of 
bigamy when he was brought to Milwaukee after his arrest at Winnipeg, 
Can., six weeks ago. At the time it was reported that Pitcher had 
deserted the Tadych girl and married a woman at Winnipeg but the 
Manitowoc girl today denied this in emphatic terms, declaring that 
she was with Pitcher at Ottawa and Winnipeg.
Was present at Pitcher's Trial
Contray to reports from Milwaukee, the Tadych girl says that she was 
present in court when Pitcher was sentenced to Waupun. Canadian 
Immigration authorities furnished her with transportation to return 
to the states and the girl says that when she reached Milwaukee she 
kept her identity secret and that even Pitcher was uninformed of her 
presence.
That she had visited Pitcher in jail at Milwaukee after his sentence 
and had also visited Waupun to see him was stated by Miss Tadych today. 
She said that on her visits to Pitcher he had promised her that when 
he had served his term he would take steps to right the wrong to her, 
by securing divorce from his wife and remarrying the local girl. 
According to Pitcher's statement to the girl he intends to get four 
divorces from his many wives.
"Pitcher treated me well and I have no complaint to make against any 
one but the Milwaukee wife," declared Miss Tadych. "She knew that 
Pitcher was coming here to visit me and that he intended to marry me 
and she might have warned us before the marriage was performed instead 
of waiting until after the ceremony. It would have saved everybody."
Pitcher Gave Her Money
After leaving here Pitcher and the Tadych girl, who believed herself 
his wife, went to Chicago and thence to Canada where Pitcher sought to 
enlist in the Canadian army. Pitcher, says the girl, gave her his money 
and took good care of her in Canada and during the time they were 
together the two never had a quarrel. Asked why she had not written her 
family here, th (sic) girl said: "That's my business. If I didn't want 
to write, I didn't have to and I didn't. Pitcher did not tell me not to 
write."
Then said that she was not worried when Pitcher was arrested in Canada. 
"I had two hands and was never afraid of work and knew I could take 
care of myself," she declared. Later, however, the Canadian officials 
furnished her transportation back to the states and it is believed that 
she has been in Milwaukee since Pitcher's committment. Pressed for a 
statement of her future, plans, Miss Tadych delined to give any 
information.
The girl left the city at 6 o'clock this afternoon. She is an attractive 
young woman, though her appearance now would indicate that she had been 
ill or under great mental strain.
Manitowoc Daily Herald, Thursday, Feb. 17, 1916 P.8