I copied the entire file during a recent trip to the Family History Library in Salt Lake City–The People of the State of Illinois vs. John M. Trautvetter.

There are not many details in the case file packet for the case which was based on events that took place in 1898-1899–I was hoping for page after page of detailed testimony and drama. It was not to be. The case was brought to the Hancock County, Illinois, County Court in 1899.

I need to follow up . In my haste to make digital copies, I broke one of my major rules of digital scanning from LDS microfilm–scanning the “title” page of the reel. I wish I had done that here. At least I did scan the cover sheet from the packet of papers. The judge did not sign the part of the packet indicating there was probable cause. It looks like I’ll have to do more searching to see just what happened in this case.