Wright County steps back in time
Murder trial from 1937 to be re-enacted TuesdayBy DON COGGER, Messenger staff writer
CLARION - In 1937, a group of youths from Wright County decided it would be fun to steal watermelons from a farmer in the middle of the night.
A harmless prank, to be sure, though one that would cost one of the young men his life.
The subsequent murder trial and its aftermath will be re-enacted Tuesday evening at the Heartland Museum in Clarion. The trial will begin at 7 p.m.
The idea for the mock trial, according to retired attorney Dewayne Knoshaug, started years ago as a way to introduce high school students to the practice of law and courtroom procedure. The idea was revived five years ago, and an annual mock trial has been held at the Heartland Museum ever since. It's usually a different case each year, though this is the second time re-enacting this particular case.
''We've done this case before, and it's an important one because it has a Wright County setting,'' Knoshaug said. ''We've had many requests to do it again.''
Believing that the young men were trying to steal his livestock, the farmer on trial shot at the fleeing vehicle, killing one of its occupants. The question for the jury to decide is whether the farmer acted within his rights, or over-reacted to a teenage prank?
''Because of the facts of the case, it received a lot of attention back in 1937,'' Knoshaug said. ''You have a farmer who's trying to protect his livelihood and a bunch of kids just looking to steal watermelons. You have sympathy on both sides.''
All of the actors are volunteers, with many of the parts played by actual attorneys; retired judge Newt Draheim will act as the presiding judge in the 1937 case.
''A few of the actors are repeats, but most don't really have any acting experience,'' Knoshaug said. ''But they're not learned parts. We just have one meeting where the actors are given the scope of testimony, and you have to testify within the bounds of that. There's no rehearsals or learned responses. That way, it's more like a trial.''
Knoshaug and Draheim have organized the event every year, though Knoshaug will be out of town for this year's trial. Tickets will be sold at the door; admission is $5 per ticket.
Proceeds will benefit the Heartland Museum.
Contact Don Cogger at (515) 573-2141 or dcogger@messengernews.net
