Severely Injured, M. Poctch-1895

POCTCH, WYRICH, HUNTER, FOULKES

Posted By: cheryl Locher moonen (email)
Date: 4/3/2020 at 11:58:54

Cascade Pioneer, Published in Cascade, Iowa on Friday, August 9th, 1895

Severely Injured

M. Poctch, a junk dealer, whose home is at 2086 Washington Street, Dubuque, has been lying in critical condition at the residence of Isaac Hunter in East Cascade since last Saturday evening, the result of an assault made upon him by Montgomery Wyrich. Poctch, who is an old man, and his nephew, have been operating in this city for a week or two and have been stopping with Mr. Hunter. Last Saturday between 5 and 6 o’clock, Poctch and his nephew, with their team, were driving from town to Hunter’s place, and were accompanied by Mr. Join Foulkes. On the way they overtook Montgomery Wyrich, and Foulkes invited him to ride, and he did so. Foulkes, in an undertone, told Wyrich that someone had been stealing his (Wyrich) onions, and accused Poctch and his nephew. When the party arrived near the onion patch Poctch remarked that he would like to have one of the vegetables, and the same time got out and was in the act of taking an onion, when Wyrich jumped out an assaulted him. According to the general report of the affair Wyrich knocked the old man down and then kicked him a number of times, one or more of the blows striking him in the region of the abdomen and testicles. Poctch has since been in a very delicate state, his life has hung in the balance, and at this date there are no positive assurances of his recovery. His condition is of suffering and misery. He explained that he had a desire for an onion, and on passing by the patch, which lies unfenced near the road, he jumped out of the wagon to get one, and was attacked by Wyrich. The latter says he warned him not to pull the vegetables, but that is denied by Poctch and his nephew.

Mr. Poctch bears a good character and is a member of the Ironwood Camp, Modern Woodsman of America, of Dubuque, and the local branch of the order in this city has been taking care of him since the unfortunate occurrence.

Wyrich was arrested Sunday morning and gave bond for his appearance before Justice Shaffer Monday afternoon. Attorney John Welsh appeared for the defense and asked for a change of venue, and the case was taken before Justice Craft, of Fillmore, Wednesday. County Attorney Matthew’s appointed Attorney J. C. Kelly to look after the interest of the state. Before Justice Craft the defendant’s attorney objected to the justice on the grounds that his client desired him for a witness. The case has been carried to Justice O’Brien, of Prairie Creek Township, and the trial is progressing as we go to press.