News: FBI file on Cattle poisoned
Contact: Ken Wood
Email:  woodi1999@yahoo.com

Surnames: Payson, Burd, Nemesch, Papesch, Rau, Payne, Schmidt

----Sources: Publication Title: Investigative Case Files of the Bureau of Investigation 1908-1922

Publisher: NARA

Series: Old German Files, 1909-21

Case Number: 8000-40683

Case Title: Alleged Poisoning of Cattle by Alien Enemy

Roll Number: 390

Page: 1

Collection Title: Investigative Reports of the Bureau of Investigation 1908-1922

F. J. Payson Madison, Wis. 1/14/19

In Re: Alleged Poisoning of Cattle by Alien Enemy

At Dorchester, Wisconsin

Employee refers to letter from Henry A. Burd, Asst. Secy. Wisconsin State Council of Defense, dated Madison, Wis., Nov. 18, 1918, enclosing a letter from Miss Bessie Nemesch, Abbotsford, Wis., dated Nov. 14, 1918. In her letter, Miss Nemesch stated that Martin Papesch had lost seven head of cattle and Henry Rau three head through poisoned salt in the pasture where the cattle were feeding, by mixing the salt with Paris Green. Both these men reside at Dorchester, Wis. The letter alleged that the person who did the poisoning is an alien enemy, and a close neighbor of Papesch.

Employee interrogated Martin Papesch, who stated substantially as follows: On October 24, 1918, he lost seven head of cattle and Henry Rau lost three head of cattle through poisoning by mixing Paris Green with salt and placing the poison in the pasture where the cattle were feeding. Witness stated that one Dr. Payne, a veterinary surgeon from Colby, Wis., found the poison in the pasture. Witness stated that while he suspected his neighbor who lives across the road from witness of being the person who did the poisoning, still witness has no evidence to offer as to the guilt of any person. The neighbor he suspects is an enemy alien.

Employee was unable to find anything in the line of evidence that would show this is a federal matter other than the possibility that the alien enemy who is suspected is a dangerous alien enemy, and there is nothing to show that to be the case.

Investigation closed.

U.S. Attorney, Madison, Wis.

* * * *

# 40683 HBA:KO

September 21, 1917

Fred Schmidt, Esq.

Dorchester, Wis.

Dear Sir:

I have your letter of the 17th inst. And read with interest what you say about conditions at Dorchester, Wis.

Should anything come to your attention that seems to be a violation of the federal laws, kindly address a communication to Ralph Isard, Special Agent in Charge, Department of Justice, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Your patriotic spirit is very much appreciated.

Very Truly yours,

(Unsigned)

Division Superintendent