Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2024 All Rights Reserved USGenNet Data Repository Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ =========================================================================== Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== State Gazette Green Bay, Wis. Saturday, 11 March 1882 THE KEWAUNEE TRAGEDY The Mystery of JOHN GOETTINGER'S Death to Be Investigated (From the Republican of March 9th) Ahnapee, Wis., March 8. - On the morning of July 22, 1878, the house of JOHN GOETTINGER, three miles west of the city of Ahnapee, was found burned to the ground and among the smouldering ruins were discovered the bones of a human skeleton. It was evident that a frightful tragedy had been en- acted upon the scene. GOETTINGER, at one time, had been a wealthy farmer, but had become involved with law suits with his son-in-law, JACOB BLAHNEK, who lived near him, and had wasted his lands in litigation, until but lit- tle remained. A short time before his death his wife had left him and gone to live with BLAHNEK'S family. It was generally known that a deadly feud existed be- tween the old man and the BLAHNECK family, and suspi- cion at once rested upon them. A coroner's inquest was convened, but after a two week's session arrived at a verdict that GOETTINGER came to his death by means unknown. A reward of $500 was offered by the county for the arrest and conviction of the supposed murderess, but every effort was foiled. About four weeks ago, BLAHNEK and his wife instituted an action of slander, laying damages at $5,000, against one FRANK BARTEE, a Bohemian neighbor, for circulating the story that the plaintiffs had killed GOETTINGER and burned his body. R. L. WING, ESQ., of Kewaunee, was retained by the plaintiff, and H. G. and W. J. TURNER, of Manitowoc, by the defendant. BARTEE, in his answer, set up a justi- fication and alleged that BLAHNEK and wife had killed GOETTINGER. On Monday of last week, at the instigation of BARTEE, one JACOB KOZINA, a workman who had been in the employ of BLAHNEK at the time of GOETTINGER'S death, came before Justice SHEA at Kewaunee, and swore out a warrant for BLAHNEK, his wife, and MARGARET GOETTINGER, the wife of the deceased, charging them with the murder. The parties were immediately arrested and brought before the justice. Upon the examination KOZINA gave in the fol- lowing testimony: "My name is JACOB KOZINA. I am 22 years old. I came from Bohemia to this country four years ago. I worked for JACOB BLAHNEK in 1878. I knew CATHARINE BLAHNEK, MARGARET GOETTINGER, and JOHN GOETTINGER, in his life- time. They all lived in the town of Ahnapee. GOETTINGER had twenty acres of land, with a house upon it, near BLAHNEK'S farm. I knew that GOETTINGER and BLAHNEK were not on friendly terms for I saw them quarreling many times. The last time I saw GOETTINGER alive was in BLAHNEK'S meadow, on Saturday evening, July 20, about 7 or 8 o'clock. There were present at that time, MRS. BLAHNEK and MRS. GOETTINGER, GOETTINGER and myself. Just before this, BLAHNEK and the hired girl had gone home. We were raking hay, GOETTINGER came down there and talked with his wife and daughter. I do not know what was said, as I cannot understand German. I was raking hay and did not stop work. When they were quar- reling I saw BLAHNEK'S wife stick a pitchfork into GOETTINGER about the belt. While she had the pitch- fork in him, MRS. GOETTINGER struck him with a fork on his head. They held him down and covered him with hay. I was so frightened that I became unconscious. I was only fifteen or twenty steps from them at the time. Nothing was said to me about the murder, and in about half an hour we all went home. After arriving home, BLAHNEK came to me and threatened to kill me if I ever told of it. That night I saw BLAHNEK and wife go into the meadow. The following night I saw them go toward GOETTINGER'S house, and soon after saw the house in flames. I swore to a lie at the in- quest when I said I knew nothing of the murder, be- cause I was in fear of BLAHNEK. Upon the testimony BLAHNEK, MRS. BLAHNEK and MRS. GOETTINGER were bound over the circuit court, and their bail bonds fixed at $2000. They furnished bail at once. KOZINA is now in jail awaiting the trial in April. Public opnion is divided. Some think that KOZINA'S story is put up to default the slander suit. The most intense interest is excited throughout the peninsula over the case. ===========================================================================