Bio: Finnigan Found Not Guilty (14 Jan 1910)

Contact: Dolores Mohr Kenyon

Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Finnigan,

----Source: The Granton News (Granton, Clark Co., WI.) January 14, 1910

Finnigan Found Not Guilty (14 January 1910)

James Finnigan who was arrested on suspicion being charged with having fired the shots which severely injured Mark Lazotte and Albion Pagenkopf on the night of December 25^th was found not guilty at the hearing at Neillsville Monday afternoon, the authorities being unable to secure any evidence against him.  That the young men were near the Finnegan home and the further fact that the bullet marks in the snow were in direct line from a door in the house is the only evidence against Mr. Finnegan which is considered purely circumstantial.  It was proven by the accused at the hearing that there were no fire arms in his house that night and that he was in bed and asleep at the time of the riot.  Lazotte while on the stand swore that he had in the neighborhood of 10 drinks in him when he returned to the hall and that he was not in a condition to know who shot or in what direction the shots came from. From all appearances the shooting was done by some one who was not responsible for what he was doing. A good many of the citizens here and especially those who knew Mr. Finnigan all their lives feel somewhat indignant over his arrest without the authorities first thoroughly investigating.  It is bad enough to put an innocent man through a lot of expense, and when he is compelled to face the disgrace of such a deed it makes it all the worse.  Mr. Finnigan may have his faults; we all have ours, but just depend on it that it will take more than the tearing down of an insignificant fence to induce him to resort to fire arms.  Mr. Finnegan had the sympathy of the community from the time of his arrest and now that he was successful in probing his innocence, his friends are more than pleased over the outcome of the affair.  As far as the other side is concerned we yet have to see the man who cares a rap whether the guilty one will ever be known.

And now on to other facts:

Sold Liquor to Minors - At the hearing in Neillsville last Monday Senator S. M. Marsh who was Mr. Finnigan’s attorney accidentally discovered that two of our saloon keepers, Wm. Storm and Herman Wegner were violating the law at the night of the shooting.  A young one who was a witness in the case was asked by Mr. Marsh if he had been drinking on the night in question, said he drank beer and brandy at the above named places.  He gave his age as 18 years.  Mr. Marsh gently reminded the district attorney and sheriff of their duty in such a case and the arrest of the two saloon keepers followed.  They were taken to Neillsville the next day by sheriff Eunson and after a preliminary hearing the case was continued until Tuesday, January 18.  We are informed that other charges will be brought against them which probably will result in the removal of their licenses.