Richard Dehler
Join Frank on Thursday, September 28, 2017 for a presentation
on Murder Book at Sauk Centre Library from 6:30 to 7:30 pm.
Frank carrying the manuscript for the sequel to Murder Book. 
Before I start this summary of the Richard Dehler tragedy I want to state the Dehlers are salt of the earth, wonderful, people. The Dehlers and Webers are friends and tragedy can happen in any family.
On December 19, 1941, Lawrence Dehler first noted something was wrong when he stopped at the home at 7:45 pm to pick up Richard to take him to a program at the Buckman school. Lawrence noted the lights were out and when he grabbed the knob to the kitchen door he noticed it was hot. When he opened the door he smelled smoke and gasoline. He felt along the wall for the light switch. The wall was hot and charred. Lawrence rushed home and told his father, John Dehler of the fire and soon all of the neighbors rushed with lanterns and flashlights to help extinguish the fire. Blood stains were visible on the kitchen floor. When the flames were extinguished, they found the bodies of August Dehler, age 50, Regina Dehler, age 48, and two of their children: Anna Mae, age 10, and Kenneth age 5, lying at the foot of the cellar stairs. Neighbors carried the bodies to the kitchen and called for help.
Richard Dehler, the 16-year-old son in this family wasn’t home when his cousin Lawrence arrived. Richard had taken the family car into Buckman where he bought a pack of gum. Killian Zenner found Richard at Al Palashewski’s Barber shop and told him of the fire and Richard returned home. County Attorney Austin Grimes felt that at the scene Richard was taking the deaths “too calmly” and requested Sherriff William Butcher take Richard into custody.
Richard Dehler was interviewed by investigators until 2:45 am before confessing to the murder of his family. Richard had been pulled out of school by his father after the 8th grade to work the farm and Richard stated he was tired of being “bossed around.” August Dehler was described as a hard-working man who was difficult to work for.
The confession revealed that on Friday afternoon, on December 19, 1941, 16-year-old Richard Dehler filled a can with 3 gallons of gasoline and left it in a shed, while his father August was in Little Falls. At 5:45 pm the family ate a peaceful meal together. Richard, his mother Regina, and sister Anna Mae then milked cows. Richard left his mother and sister to finish while he fed the stock. At 7:00 pm, Richard returned to the house. Regina and Anna Mae were now washing dishes. August and 5-year-old Kenneth were on the couch. Richard said he saw a jackrabbit and retrieved the shotgun. Once outside the door he loaded the 12 gauge pump rifle with No. 4 shot. Standing outside he shot his mother in the back through a window from a distance of about 12 feet from her. Richard then moved to another window and shot his father, August, as he was getting off the couch. When August crawled forward, he shot him again. Anna Mae had been too dazed to move. Richard turned the rifle on her, and his 5-year-old brother. Richard dragged the bodies down to the cellar. He went to the shed and retrieved the gasoline and soaked the floors. Richard changed his clothing and tossed his dirty clothing on the floor and set it on fire. He then left for town.
The crime was sensational and the newspapers sensationalized it further with one article in the Little Falls Transcript referring to it as a “gun orgy.” The family’s funeral was described as “the largest gathering in Buckman history,” with a full church and 200 to 300 people still outside. There were more than 75 spectators at the first grand jury hearing.
On January 1, 1942, Richard Dehler and Theodore Grest escaped from jail by throwing pepper in Sherriff Butcher’s face and knocking him out. (Grest was in jail for punching Mrs. Leo Walker and stealing $800 from her.) This created panic in Morrison County. The sheriff’s department responded by passing out rifles to people they “deputized” to “protect the community. “ It was fortunate that an innocent person wasn’t shot. I remember my parents telling me how someone would stay awake in homes in the Pierz and Buckman areas with a loaded gun while others slept. Theodore Grest stole a car, which stalled, and they separated. Theodore was arrested in Sauk Rapids while Richard Dehler was found hiding in a barn near Sobieski in bitter cold weather. (His toes were frostbitten.) Richard stated he had gone there to surrender as, “I had caused enough trouble.” It is interesting to note that the Sherriff referred to Richard as much easier to deal with than Grest. Sherriff Butcher described Richard as “Just a poor sap who wants to believe he’s hard.” Richard is reported to have wept in jail after he returned and his siblings told him August had bought him a gun he planned on giving him for Christmas.
For the prosecution, Dr. W.L. Patterson from Fergus Falls State Hospital evaluated Richard Dehler and found him “sane by every test.” For the defense, Dr. Julius Johnson, a Minneapolis Psychiatrist, stated that Richard suffered from “dementia praecox” or “precocious madness” and was hearing voices at the time. (These terms were later replaced in the diagnostic standards manual with the word Schizophrenia.) Richard was found sane, and was never later diagnosed with schizophrenia. At age 16, Richard Dehler was convicted of 1st Degree Murder and sentenced to life at Stillwater State Penitentiary. Because of all of the publicity the case received, Richard ultimately served his time out of state.
While nothing justifies what happened, it is still important to put the whole incident in context. August Dehler had experienced a car accident 6 years before this incident and he was described as increasingly irritable since that time. Richard was described as increasingly more morose, uncommunicative and sullen in the 2 years prior to the incident. This was the depression era and people were stressed over World War II. Punishing children with the belt was common practice. While Richard was selected to stay home and work the farm, his older sisters, Evelyn and Irma, received the highest rankings a female could receive in the Navy and Army respectively. His older sister Lucille was a hairdresser in Minneapolis. His older brother Ralph was attending St. Thomas. His older sister Lorraine, age 18, was attending high school at St. Francis in Little Falls. Ultimately, all of the surviving family members moved to Oregon and remained close. According to Richard, and I should point out he was in no way trying to justify his behavior, the aggravating incident occurred after Richard Dehler had saved Antoine Johnson from drowning. Antoine was grateful and wanted to give Richard a car. However, August would not allow Richard to accept the car. After his incarceration, Richard reported he honestly couldn’t remember shooting his siblings, but knew he must have.
In 1960, Richard Dehler appealed the sentence. His attorney, T. Eugene Thompson, argued that Dehler should have been granted a change of venue due to the publicity the case received in Morrison county. The supreme court ruled that local papers had not made a determination of his guilt. (This judgement was questionable. When you look at the papers, Richard is referred to as the “Slayer” in some articles.) Thompson also argued that Richard wasn’t aware he could get life in prison. Richard cost himself the appeal. The judge asked Richard directly if he was aware he could get life, and he told the judge he was aware, stating “I wanted to get it over with.” Richard Dehler served 24 years in prison and was released in 1964. A life sentence at the time was 15-40 years. The sentences are much harsher now.
Richard Dehler was employed as a tailor making clothing for the clergy in prison. He became active in the Catholic Church, and with the support of Father Voigt was eventually released from prison. He married, was close to his surviving siblings, and died in Casper, Wyoming in 2008. Upon his release from prison, Richard Dehler was described as a generous person, soft-spoken and a kind soul. It is reported that he is missed by people who were close to him. This was a tragedy involving a depressed 16-year-old kid in a bad situation. Nothing makes it okay, but it does emphasize the importance of getting people help.
On the lighter side:
On Saturday, October 7, 2017, Rosetta is inviting friends of Webers (including friends, people we played ball or music with, or who just came to the parties), to her home 2 blocks off of main street, where we’re going to sit around in her garage to play music and share stories. There will be beverages provided. Arrive any time after 1:00. This will be a blast. No invitations sent. Just show up. Typical Weber party!
Quotes:
I’m as close to my brother Charlie as I am anyone outside of my immediate family. He has helped me considerably in my life, and he’s damn funny. For those of you who know my brother Charlie, the following stories won’t surprise you.
I walked into a restaurant in Brainerd for lunch one afternoon, and a waitress asked, “Are you Charlie’s brother?” When I told her yes, she dug out a piece of paper and said, “You’re taller and thinner than he is, but he’s smarter and better looking than you are.” She then told me she had attended a training Charlie provided and when she shared that I occasionally eat at the restaurant where she works, Charlie wrote that note and made her promise to read it to me the next time I came in.
After Mama Cass died (which was initially reported from choking on a ham sandwich), and Karen Carpenter died from anorexia, Charlie’s comment was, “They’d both be alive today, if they just would have split that sandwich.”
Charlie had worked as a bartender for over a decade before taking work at social services. He was initially trained as an intake worker by a female supervisor. After helping a young woman who was requesting assistance, he had a situation he hadn’t been trained for so he went back to his supervisor and told her, “This woman’s pregnant.” His supervisor told him, “Well, first you need to make sure she’s pregnant.” Charlie smiled and responded, “This is a great job!” After her initial shock at his response, his supervisor had to bust out laughing.
Preston conducted the Community Crosstown Band at Finfest U.S.A. at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis last weekend. (This is a band for adults in the metro area who still want to play their music instruments even though they may have no involvement in a music program anymore. If interested, I’ll put you in touch with Preston.) This is the 100th year of Finland’s freedom and the President of Finland, Sauli Vainamo Ninsisto, spoke before the concert. There were some amazing wood carvings, including an 8 foot wooden chain that was all carved out of one solid piece of wood. As I was looking this over, two elderly women were sitting behind a table talking about the lack of emotion in Finish men. One said, “When I married my husband he told me, I love you. There. We don’t need to have that conversation again unless it changes.”
Thanks for listening,
Frank Preston conducting the Crosstown Community Band at "Finfest" outside of Orchestra Hall.
Pictures from this summer. 
Brenda 
Kaycee visiting Pierz, Minnesota 
Olivia and Rachael 
Kaycee and Nicolette 
Shane working in his backyard in League City, Texas
on Murder Book at Sauk Centre Library from 6:30 to 7:30 pm.
Frank carrying the manuscript for the sequel to Murder Book. Before I start this summary of the Richard Dehler tragedy I want to state the Dehlers are salt of the earth, wonderful, people. The Dehlers and Webers are friends and tragedy can happen in any family.On December 19, 1941, Lawrence Dehler first noted something was wrong when he stopped at the home at 7:45 pm to pick up Richard to take him to a program at the Buckman school. Lawrence noted the lights were out and when he grabbed the knob to the kitchen door he noticed it was hot. When he opened the door he smelled smoke and gasoline. He felt along the wall for the light switch. The wall was hot and charred. Lawrence rushed home and told his father, John Dehler of the fire and soon all of the neighbors rushed with lanterns and flashlights to help extinguish the fire. Blood stains were visible on the kitchen floor. When the flames were extinguished, they found the bodies of August Dehler, age 50, Regina Dehler, age 48, and two of their children: Anna Mae, age 10, and Kenneth age 5, lying at the foot of the cellar stairs. Neighbors carried the bodies to the kitchen and called for help.
Richard Dehler, the 16-year-old son in this family wasn’t home when his cousin Lawrence arrived. Richard had taken the family car into Buckman where he bought a pack of gum. Killian Zenner found Richard at Al Palashewski’s Barber shop and told him of the fire and Richard returned home. County Attorney Austin Grimes felt that at the scene Richard was taking the deaths “too calmly” and requested Sherriff William Butcher take Richard into custody.
Richard Dehler was interviewed by investigators until 2:45 am before confessing to the murder of his family. Richard had been pulled out of school by his father after the 8th grade to work the farm and Richard stated he was tired of being “bossed around.” August Dehler was described as a hard-working man who was difficult to work for.
The confession revealed that on Friday afternoon, on December 19, 1941, 16-year-old Richard Dehler filled a can with 3 gallons of gasoline and left it in a shed, while his father August was in Little Falls. At 5:45 pm the family ate a peaceful meal together. Richard, his mother Regina, and sister Anna Mae then milked cows. Richard left his mother and sister to finish while he fed the stock. At 7:00 pm, Richard returned to the house. Regina and Anna Mae were now washing dishes. August and 5-year-old Kenneth were on the couch. Richard said he saw a jackrabbit and retrieved the shotgun. Once outside the door he loaded the 12 gauge pump rifle with No. 4 shot. Standing outside he shot his mother in the back through a window from a distance of about 12 feet from her. Richard then moved to another window and shot his father, August, as he was getting off the couch. When August crawled forward, he shot him again. Anna Mae had been too dazed to move. Richard turned the rifle on her, and his 5-year-old brother. Richard dragged the bodies down to the cellar. He went to the shed and retrieved the gasoline and soaked the floors. Richard changed his clothing and tossed his dirty clothing on the floor and set it on fire. He then left for town.
The crime was sensational and the newspapers sensationalized it further with one article in the Little Falls Transcript referring to it as a “gun orgy.” The family’s funeral was described as “the largest gathering in Buckman history,” with a full church and 200 to 300 people still outside. There were more than 75 spectators at the first grand jury hearing.
On January 1, 1942, Richard Dehler and Theodore Grest escaped from jail by throwing pepper in Sherriff Butcher’s face and knocking him out. (Grest was in jail for punching Mrs. Leo Walker and stealing $800 from her.) This created panic in Morrison County. The sheriff’s department responded by passing out rifles to people they “deputized” to “protect the community. “ It was fortunate that an innocent person wasn’t shot. I remember my parents telling me how someone would stay awake in homes in the Pierz and Buckman areas with a loaded gun while others slept. Theodore Grest stole a car, which stalled, and they separated. Theodore was arrested in Sauk Rapids while Richard Dehler was found hiding in a barn near Sobieski in bitter cold weather. (His toes were frostbitten.) Richard stated he had gone there to surrender as, “I had caused enough trouble.” It is interesting to note that the Sherriff referred to Richard as much easier to deal with than Grest. Sherriff Butcher described Richard as “Just a poor sap who wants to believe he’s hard.” Richard is reported to have wept in jail after he returned and his siblings told him August had bought him a gun he planned on giving him for Christmas.
For the prosecution, Dr. W.L. Patterson from Fergus Falls State Hospital evaluated Richard Dehler and found him “sane by every test.” For the defense, Dr. Julius Johnson, a Minneapolis Psychiatrist, stated that Richard suffered from “dementia praecox” or “precocious madness” and was hearing voices at the time. (These terms were later replaced in the diagnostic standards manual with the word Schizophrenia.) Richard was found sane, and was never later diagnosed with schizophrenia. At age 16, Richard Dehler was convicted of 1st Degree Murder and sentenced to life at Stillwater State Penitentiary. Because of all of the publicity the case received, Richard ultimately served his time out of state.
While nothing justifies what happened, it is still important to put the whole incident in context. August Dehler had experienced a car accident 6 years before this incident and he was described as increasingly irritable since that time. Richard was described as increasingly more morose, uncommunicative and sullen in the 2 years prior to the incident. This was the depression era and people were stressed over World War II. Punishing children with the belt was common practice. While Richard was selected to stay home and work the farm, his older sisters, Evelyn and Irma, received the highest rankings a female could receive in the Navy and Army respectively. His older sister Lucille was a hairdresser in Minneapolis. His older brother Ralph was attending St. Thomas. His older sister Lorraine, age 18, was attending high school at St. Francis in Little Falls. Ultimately, all of the surviving family members moved to Oregon and remained close. According to Richard, and I should point out he was in no way trying to justify his behavior, the aggravating incident occurred after Richard Dehler had saved Antoine Johnson from drowning. Antoine was grateful and wanted to give Richard a car. However, August would not allow Richard to accept the car. After his incarceration, Richard reported he honestly couldn’t remember shooting his siblings, but knew he must have.
In 1960, Richard Dehler appealed the sentence. His attorney, T. Eugene Thompson, argued that Dehler should have been granted a change of venue due to the publicity the case received in Morrison county. The supreme court ruled that local papers had not made a determination of his guilt. (This judgement was questionable. When you look at the papers, Richard is referred to as the “Slayer” in some articles.) Thompson also argued that Richard wasn’t aware he could get life in prison. Richard cost himself the appeal. The judge asked Richard directly if he was aware he could get life, and he told the judge he was aware, stating “I wanted to get it over with.” Richard Dehler served 24 years in prison and was released in 1964. A life sentence at the time was 15-40 years. The sentences are much harsher now.
Richard Dehler was employed as a tailor making clothing for the clergy in prison. He became active in the Catholic Church, and with the support of Father Voigt was eventually released from prison. He married, was close to his surviving siblings, and died in Casper, Wyoming in 2008. Upon his release from prison, Richard Dehler was described as a generous person, soft-spoken and a kind soul. It is reported that he is missed by people who were close to him. This was a tragedy involving a depressed 16-year-old kid in a bad situation. Nothing makes it okay, but it does emphasize the importance of getting people help.
On the lighter side:
On Saturday, October 7, 2017, Rosetta is inviting friends of Webers (including friends, people we played ball or music with, or who just came to the parties), to her home 2 blocks off of main street, where we’re going to sit around in her garage to play music and share stories. There will be beverages provided. Arrive any time after 1:00. This will be a blast. No invitations sent. Just show up. Typical Weber party!
Quotes:
I’m as close to my brother Charlie as I am anyone outside of my immediate family. He has helped me considerably in my life, and he’s damn funny. For those of you who know my brother Charlie, the following stories won’t surprise you.
I walked into a restaurant in Brainerd for lunch one afternoon, and a waitress asked, “Are you Charlie’s brother?” When I told her yes, she dug out a piece of paper and said, “You’re taller and thinner than he is, but he’s smarter and better looking than you are.” She then told me she had attended a training Charlie provided and when she shared that I occasionally eat at the restaurant where she works, Charlie wrote that note and made her promise to read it to me the next time I came in.
After Mama Cass died (which was initially reported from choking on a ham sandwich), and Karen Carpenter died from anorexia, Charlie’s comment was, “They’d both be alive today, if they just would have split that sandwich.”
Charlie had worked as a bartender for over a decade before taking work at social services. He was initially trained as an intake worker by a female supervisor. After helping a young woman who was requesting assistance, he had a situation he hadn’t been trained for so he went back to his supervisor and told her, “This woman’s pregnant.” His supervisor told him, “Well, first you need to make sure she’s pregnant.” Charlie smiled and responded, “This is a great job!” After her initial shock at his response, his supervisor had to bust out laughing.
Preston conducted the Community Crosstown Band at Finfest U.S.A. at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis last weekend. (This is a band for adults in the metro area who still want to play their music instruments even though they may have no involvement in a music program anymore. If interested, I’ll put you in touch with Preston.) This is the 100th year of Finland’s freedom and the President of Finland, Sauli Vainamo Ninsisto, spoke before the concert. There were some amazing wood carvings, including an 8 foot wooden chain that was all carved out of one solid piece of wood. As I was looking this over, two elderly women were sitting behind a table talking about the lack of emotion in Finish men. One said, “When I married my husband he told me, I love you. There. We don’t need to have that conversation again unless it changes.”
Thanks for listening,
Frank Preston conducting the Crosstown Community Band at "Finfest" outside of Orchestra Hall.
Pictures from this summer. Brenda Kaycee visiting Pierz, Minnesota Olivia and Rachael Kaycee and Nicolette Shane working in his backyard in League City, Texas
No comments have been added yet.
