Dennis T Turkey
Oshkosh Daily Northwestern
2 May 1904
Dennis Turkey, an aged Stockbridge Indian and a veteran of the Civil War, was fond dead near Shawano, his eyes gouged out and his face trampled beyond recognition. “Johnnie” Frank, a Menominee half-breed, is held for the murder.
Oshkosh Daily Northwestern
17 Jun 1904
No Witness to the Crime
Dennis Turkey, an Indian, Was stabbed Under Cover of Darkness
Trial of John Frank, the Alleged Murderer, Who was the Last Person Seen with Turkey, Is Now in Progress in United States Court - The Circumstantial Evidence is Strong
Two trials upon the charge of murder in one term of court is an unusual proceeding. Such is the record for the June term of United States court now in session at the government building. Joseph Sullivan has been tried and convicted of the murder of his wife, Elizabeth Sullivan, and John Frank, a Menominee Indian, is now on trial charged with the murder of Dennis Turkey, a Stockbridge Indian, an old man about seventy years old and a veteran of the Civil War. The murder is alleged to have occurred on the Stockbridge and Munsee Indian Reservation. It required only about an hour to secure a jury, which consists of E. P. Marsh, Neenah, Ziba Hamilton, Berlin; G W Howe, Oshkosh; Joseph Moyer, Berlin; W J Werth, Two Rivers; Herman Zobel, Ripon; William D Luscher, Oshkosh; A Allen, Maine; Edward Casey, Oshkosh; Charles Bauer, Oshkosh; H Y McIntyre, Oshkosh. The government is prosecuting the case by the district attorney H K Butterfiled, and his assistant E J Henning and B J Winter of the firm Dreyer & Winter of Shawano, represents Frank.
The Crime
The outline of the case was given to the jury by Assistant District Attorney E J Henning. The story as outlined was that on April 30 Frank and Turkey were at Gresham, a village near the Stockbridge reservation late in the evening. They were seen together at about half past ten in the evening at a saloon, at which time Frank appeared intoxicated and Turkey seemed to have been drinking. Frank had a bottle of whiskey and one of alcohol. They left the village together shortly after that time, and Turkey seemed to be afraid of Frank and tried to get away from him. Together they proceeded to the Stockbridge reservation where they applied for lodging at the home of Charles Doxtator. Being refused they started further toward the center of the reservation. They were heard in angry conversation and Frank was begging a drink from Turkey and threatened to cut h---- out of him if he refused. Shortly after cursing and crying were heard and then moans, The next day the body of the old man was found by the roadside cut in a number of places about the head and face. He was dead, having bled to death. The sand about the place where he was found was bloody and showed evidence of a struggle having taken place. The testimony also should show that later Frank arrived alone at different places and applied for lodging, wandering about until 3 o’clock in the morning, when he came to the home of Mrs. Jordan and was admitted staying over night and being given something to drink. In the morning when he ate breakfast it was noted that his hat and clothing were bloody and that when he washed his hands the water was bloody. After breakfast we went to the church and was there arrested by the constable and remarked that he believed he had killed someone.
The Witnesses
The first witness was Shepard Freeman, agent for the government in charge of the Menominee and Stockbridge and Munsee reservations. His testimony was only upon his duties as agent. Henry Hoffman was an interesting witness, but his testimony and that of another who followed differed somewhat in detail, although similar in many particulars. Mr. Hoffman stated that he owns a saloon in the village of Gresham which is about ninety rods from the Stockbridge reservation. He saw Dennis Turkey and John Frank together about 10:30 on the night of April 30 in his saloon. He could not tell when Turkey came into the saloon, but he saw John Frank when he entered. Frank wanted to buy a drink, but the request was refused. He asked to buy a cigar for himself and drinks for others in the saloon. This was also denied and Frank was ordered from the saloon. He then pulled out two bottles and offered one to Turkey to take a drink. Mr. Hoffman then took Frank by the shoulder and put him out the side door and Turkey went with him. In about five minutes Turkey came back hurriedly and went into the back part of the saloon where it was dark and sat down. Five minutes later Frank returned and asked for Turkey. Mr. Hoffman said Turkey was not present. Frank replied that he knew better, as he had seen Turkey come in there. At this point Turkey stepped into view and the two talked a moment and then went out together. The witness heard them walking away together.
An Important Witness
Charles Doxtator, a Stockbridge Indian who lives on the reservation said that he went to bed about 9:00 and had been asleep for sometime, but how long he did not know, when someone rapped on the front door. He arose and went to the window and asked who was there. A voice which he recognized as John Franks replied “Johnnie Frank”. The witness made no reply and did not go downstairs. The rapping continued and finally the voice said “Well, Turkey let’s go”. The two started off and the witness watched them until they passed over the hill heading into the reservation. The residence of Mr. Doxtator is about three rods from the town of Herman in which Gresham is located. After passing through the gate at the dooryard of Doxtator the two stopped and Frank was heard to demand a drink from his companion. He said to him “ You ----- of ------ give me a drink or I’ll cut ------ out of you.” They walked on and again the threat was repeated. The two passed over the hill and out of sight. Mr. Doxtator then went back to bed. Shortly afterward he heard cursing and loud talking and cries. Later he heard loud groans as of one of pain. He did not get up and paid no attention to the noises and soon went back to sleep. Upon cross-examination he said he did not go down when he heard the trouble for fear he would be hurt too. The next day he was called to see the body of Dennis Turkey. The body was about five rods from Doxtator’s house. The body lay upon its side and cuts were upon the face and head which were bloody and one eye was cut out. The sand about the place for a distance of 100 feet was disturbed, showing evidence of a struggle and there was blood upon the sand. The clothes were covered with sand. Esther Doxtator, wife of the preceding witness told practically the same story. She heard the quarrel, but went back to bed and was asleep and heard no cries or groans. She recognized the two men by their figures. She said that when her husband made no response to the demand for admission, Frank said “You needn’t think because you live here you own the whole town.” She heard Frank ask his companion for a drink and threaten him if it were not given.
Story of a Butcher
John Sherer, a Gresham butcher, testified that he was in Hoffman’s saloon about 10:30 when Frank came in. Turkey saw him before he entered and went into the back room where is was dark. Frank wanted a drink and was refused and was finally put out by Hoffman but Turkey stayed. Frank came in again and went into the back room and talked with Turkey. Hoffman then ordered them both out, saying he wanted to close his saloon. The two Indians, Turkey having been drinking and Frank quite drunk, walked away together arm and arm. He saw them go down the hill together. He returned to the saloon and in a short time started for home, which is about 5 rods from the reservation. While crossing the bridge at the foot of the hill he saw two men walking together in the moonlight. He did not see them again, as the reservation is woody and before he reached home they had passed out of site. When he reached his home he heard some “whoop” but listened and heard no more, and then went into his house. The next day he saw the body of Turkey lying dead by the roadside on the reservation. The head and face were cut and the clothes bloody. The ground was bloody and showed signs of a struggle.
Oshkosh Daily Northwestern
18 Jun 1904
Another One Guilty
Life Imprisonment Probable Sentence for the Indian, John Frank
The jury in the case of the trial of John Frank, charged with the murder of Dennis Turkey rendered a verdict this afternoon finding the defendant guilty, without capital punishment. Sentence has not yet been pronounced.
Oshkosh Daily Northwestern
28 Jun 1904
To Prison For Life
Two Indians are Sentenced by Judge Seaman of United States Court
Joseph Sullivan and John Frank to Spend the Rest of Their Natural Lives Behind the Bars of Federal Prison at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas – Their Attorney is Unable to Secure Stay in Proceedings.
Joseph Sullivan, a Menominee Indian, convicted of the murder of his wife Elizabeth Sullivan upon the Menominee reservation February 29, by pounding and kicking her to death and John Frank a Menominee Indian convicted of the murder of Dennis Turkey a Stockbridge Indian upon the Stockbridge Munsee reservation April 30, were both sentenced to life imprisonment in the Federal prison at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, at noon today by judge Seaman in United States court. The attorney for both defendants, B J Winter of Shawano moved that judgment be arrested claiming that the court had no jurisdiction in the cases. The court held that the two cases referred to by the attorney in which that point was passed upon was overruled by the United States Supreme Court, and proceeded to pronounce sentence.
Dennis T Turkey Native American
Enlisted as Pvt 17 Wis Inf Co K on 10 Dec 1861 at Keshena
Disability Discharged 17 Wis Inf Co K on 18 Jan 1863
Time Served 1y 1m 8d
Enlisted as Pvt 3rd Wis Inf Co A on 8 Sep 1864 at Menasha
Mustered out as Pvt 3rd Wis Inf Co A on 9 Jun 1865
Time Served 9m 1d
Born Jun 1835 Wisconsin
Died 30 Apr 1904
Buried Red Springs
Wife Harriett
