A partial answer

Remember the question that puzzled Larry and me (and, no doubt, YOU) regarding what sort of punishment Wendelin Janson received for deserting, back in 1899? 


 We haven't found the answer yet, but the question simmers in the back of both our brains, just waiting for more info.


This week, Larry found an article in a 1908 Los Angeles newspaper when he searched "Janson" on some newly added online newspapers.  Luckily a corporal Janson was in charge the day a prisoner tried to escape.  NO, the punishment wasn't firing squad, but the soldier was shot and killed because he didn't "Halt!" when told to do so...


Anyway, the operative line here is the very last one: "The penalty for desertion is from one to three years in one of the federal penitentiaries".


So, wow, it's possible that Wendelin spent time in jail, or, perhaps the punishment was lighter because he'd already put in three years of service honorably?  The next time he showed up in was the 1905 Minnesota census, in downtown St Paul.  


So, the Wendelin question remains, and on top of that, I wonder who this Corporal Janson was?