History: The Colby Phonograph (09 January 1884)

Contact:  R. Lipprandt
Email: bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: FILSE, GOLDEN, SALTER, WICKER

----Sources: The Tribune-Phonograph, Vol. 47, No. 2, Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2007, p 4

The Appleton Post publishes an article denouncing R. B. Salter’s action in relation to the Filse affair, and claming their story based on the statement of Sheriff Golden, which put Sheriff Golden in the unenviable position of a liar.

The burglar Filse was here under arrest, he went to R. B. Salter to retain him as counsel. Mr. Salter said he would undertake to get him released from the officer, for twenty five dollars, but that he was just as liable to be arrested again as in the first place.

The young man went out for about an hour when he returned and said he could not raise that mount of money, when Mr. Salter told him that if he would raise cash enough to pay the official fees, he should have credit for the attorney fees, but Filse was unable to raise even that amount.

Filse then told Salter that he had some property in Dodge County and would secure him on that.

Mr. Salter was satisfied and filled out an application for a ‘writ of habeas corpus’ (did not issue the ‘writ of habeas corpus,’ as was claimed by the Post), which was issued by Court Commissioner Wicker. Filse, to secure Salter then made a deed of his Dodge County property and delivered to Salter, before witnesses, with the distinct understanding that upon payment of the fees, twenty-five dollars, the property should be re-conveyed to Filse, or any person he might name.

Mr. Salter has done nothing in this case but what came in the strict line of legitimate business.

The Post further says, "The trick which the up-country sharpers endeavored to play upon Mr. Golden did not work."