EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the final part of a two-part series on this topic.

NEGAUNEE — “There is no longer a doubt in the minds of at least a majority of the coroner’s jury, as well among our people generally, that little Eva Lafreniere, whose body was found in the garret of Mrs. Wendel’s residence last Tuesday was foully dealt with. The theory of foul play is not advanced because of any evidence yet produced tending to connect anyone with the crime, or to even case a suspicion on anyone in particular, but because of the condition the body was in when found. From the fact that the child’s skull was fractured and that her clothing was disarranged and stained in places with blood, at least some of the jurymen are convinced that her death was caused by violence.” (Mining Journal, October 18, 1895)

“Mrs. Wendel and her youngest son, a lad of about seven or eight years or age, were on the stand yesterday morning, and Mrs. Wendel’s oldest son, aged about sixteen, testified in the case yesterday afternoon. Mrs. Lafreniere and her oldest daughter were examined Wednesday.” (Mining Journal, October 18, 1895)

“Some unknown person dripped a letter at the Lafreniere house saying that if they would go to the north shore of Lake Bancroft they would find two boys, Charles Sodergren and Oscar Ohman, who could give information regarding the death of the murdered child.

Officers Downing and Nolan found the two boys four miles from the city at Cooper’s Kilns. They were brought into court and testified that they had heard Charles Wendel, the oldest boy, aged about sixteen years, say that he knew the whereabouts of the body of the missing child. These two boys were chums of the Wendel boys.

This was considered sufficient evidence to hold young Wendel and he was arrested at 6 o’clock last evening by Officer Downing on the charge of murder. The coroner’s jury was in session this evening and adjourned until Thursday.

‘The evidence is sufficient to hold young Wendel for examination,’ said Prosecuting Attorney Young to The Mining Journal reporter last evening, ‘while it may not be sufficient to convict him.’

The arrest of young Wendel is in the line of the suspicions that have been developing for several days. Whether these suspicions are well grounded remains to be seen and any comment on the facts at this time would be out of place and improper.” (Mining Journal, October 19, 1895)

“The preliminary examination of Charles Wendel, the lad arrested Friday on charge of the murder of little Eva Lafreniere on the night of June 24, will begin today at Justice Kennedy’s court. The members of the boy’s family have engaged an attorney to defend him. It is expected that some interesting testimony will be taken, as there are a number of witnesses to be examined.

The testimony of Charles Sodergren and Oscar Ohman, two of young Wendel’s companions, will perhaps be of more importance than that of any other witnesses. While the testimony of these two boys given before the coroner’s jury on Friday afternoon has not been made public officially, it is asserted that their statement was to the effect that young Wendel told them he had killed the girl and that the body was concealed in his garret.

There was also something said about the deed having been committed with an ax. This was the means of causing a search for an ax. The garret was again visited but no ax was found there. Other parts of the premises were then searched and an ax on which there were stains of blood was found in the woodshed at the rear of the house. The officer who made the discovery did not take the ax but left it there and reported to the coroner and prosecuting attorney. A few hours later when it was decided to take possession of the ax it could not be found. Mrs. Wendel asserted that she had killed a chicken with it a short time before and that the blood came from that source.” (Mining Journal, October 21, 1895)

“One of the principal reasons the coroner’s jury in the murder of little Eva Lafreniere did not continue the examination of witnesses and return a verdict last week was to give the physicians ample time to examine the clothing which was worn by Charles Wendel, the lad who is charged with the crime, on the day the deed was committed, and to ascertain if possible whether or not there are any stains of blood on the garments. The physicians reported yesterday that they had examined the clothing but not very thoroughly and had not yet discovered any trace of blood. They will make a more thorough examination, however, and will report the result to the jury when it convenes tomorrow morning.

In case blood is discovered on the clothing it will be impossible for the physicians, without a very elaborate microscopic examination, to determine whether it is human blood or not. It will be a source of considerable satisfaction to the members of the jury, however, to know positively if there were or were not stains of blood on the garments. The physicians are in doubts as to what the result will be but they think it will be a hard matter to find stains on the garments now, eve if there were any there previously, as they have been washed since the crime was committed.” (Mining Journal, October 23, 1895)

“Charles Wendel, charged with the murder of little Eva Lafreniere, appeared before Justice Kennedy for preliminary examination yesterday morning at 9 o’clock. Many people crowded around the court room to get a look at the prisoner and also to hear, if possible, the testimony of the witnesses. When asked by Prosecuting Attorney Young if he desired to have the examination take place then and there, or would he waive examination, young Wendel promptly replied, ‘I waive examination.’ That practically settled the court room scene and Marshal Carlson took the prisoner to the county jail at Marquette to await trial at the forthcoming term of circuit. The boy was perfectly cool and did not appear the least worried as to what the outcome of the case might be.

Attorneys Flannigan of Norway and Dundon of Ishpeming have been engaged to defend the boy. Mr. Dundon was present at the court room yesterday morning but had nothing to say.” (October 24, 1895)

“The defense in the Wendel murder case has scored its first victory by securing a change of venue to Menominee county, having secured affidavits stating that young Wendel could not receive a fair trial in the Marquette court. The question was argued Thursday afternoon, when Judge Stone granted the change.

Sheriff Josiah Broad made affidavit that it was his opinion that the prisoner could not receive fair treatment in Marquette county, and others were found by the defense who agreed with him, and who made affidavits of similar tone.” (Iron Ore, February 29, 1896)

“That the relatives of the family should desire a change to another county is clear to all people. They naturally wish to have their relative cleared from the serious charge brought against him if it can be brought about. Blood is thicker than water, and no one cares to criticize them in their desire to clear the stain from their family name that such a crime, if proven, would bring.” (Iron Ore, February 29, 1896.)

“In the Wendel trial yesterday at 10:30 o’clock Prosecuting Attorney H.O. Young commenced his opening argument to the jury. The courtroom was packed and inside the rail sat Mrs. Wendel, her sister, Mrs. Boehm, and their aged mother, Mrs. Voelker. These three women were moved to tears at first, but gradually quieted down as Prosecutor Young proceeded with his argument.” (Mining Journal, June 29, 1896)

“The Wendel trail was concluded Monday afternoon the case being given to the jury, who brought in a verdict of ‘not guilty’ after being out one hour.

This ends a trial that has become famous in the annals of crime in this region.

To say that the people of Ishpeming city are dissatisfied with the result is putting it very mildly, for, despite the verdict, the opinion of the public is that the boy is guilty. This opinion has been formed by evidence that was brought out at the coroner’s inquest as well as at the trial in Menominee County. “(Iron Ore, July 7, 1896)

The very next week a small article in the social and personal section of one of the papers announced that the Wendel family was moving to Chicago.