Look Back and Remember: The First Fifty Years of Rock Elm Township Area 1861-1911, by Lavern F. Flanders.

From the Pierce County Herald, May 14, 1868: Shooting affray; We are informed that a shooting affray took place at Rock Elm on Saturday night last. About 10:00 August Waldvogel shot a man named Goodenough. The weapon used was a shotgun heavily loaded with shot. The entire charge taking effect in the face and breast of the unfortunate victim at the distance of about ten paces. Mr. Goodenough was immediately cared for, but the wounds received were fatal. He lingered in agony until Monday morning, when death delivered him from suffering. The deceased leaves a widow and one child to mourn the loss of a husband and father.

August Waldvogel has been placed under arrest and his examination appointed to have taken place yesterday before Esq. Crumby of Rock Elm. Mr. Goodenough’s name was Milo and he and wife Rosanne with small child named Flora, homesteaded on 80 acres south of Rock Elm Centre on Plum Creek in Section 28 of Rock Elm Township. Daughter Flora was born April 3, 1867, and was only one year old when her father was killed.

August Waldvogel was also an earlier settler of Rock Elm Township, coming here in 1865. Shortly after the shooting, Docia, wife of August, gave birth to a son.

Apparently this was not only Rock Township’s first murder and trial but also one of Pierce County’s first published murder cases, or at least one of the first to be tried in a court of law that was published in the Pierce County Newspaper.

From the newspaper of June 4, 1868: Details of the murder have appeared previous to this. August Waldvogel charged with murder of Goodenough in Rock Elm was committed to jail to await trial in default of $10,000 bail, in Prescott, Wis. State of Wisconsin vs. August Waldvogel, indictment for murder. Burton and Dawson for the state. J.S. White and P.U. Wise for the defense.

October 22, 1868. State of Wisconsin vs. August Waldvogel, indictment for murder; trial by jury; verdict guilty of manslaughter. Sentenced in court to eight years (one day of solitary) confinement in the State Prison at Waupon.

The case was one in which there was a great difference of opinion; one in which considerable interested was manifasted by all. Prosecution was conducted by District Attorney J.C. Burton. Quote from the Pirece County Herald; This is the first case of the kind tried before this court for some time and we hope it may be the last.

In August 1872, Waldvogel was at work at the cook house at Waupun and he makes the best bread eaten here. They say he is surly and cross and not likely to be reduced in time for good behavior.