The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1881-02-24
Bjornstjerne BjornsOn and the Con-
demned Convict.

n
tanned, yesterday evening, that an ell
derby man had visited the great Nor
wegian poet and statesman, Bjorn-
stjerne Bjornson. and that there was
something unusual in connection there
with; an explanation was sought as
soon as possible. It was learned that
the strange visitors name was Arne
Kulterstad. He looks to be fifty years
of age. has q powerful frame, and in
his younger days must have been the
very picture Of strength and beauty.
When in the poets room, the man shed
tears profusely. Some twenty years
ago, Arne, strong, vigorous young
man, who was Sergeant in the Nor
wegian army, and as such was noted
for his athletic strength as well as for
his kindness and honesty, had q seri-
Gus feud with one of his neighbors.
This latter man was low-lived, mean,
cringing scoundrel, who. at q party,
got Arne drunk and prevailed upon
him to sign papers by which he lost his
old homestead. The feud became more
and more bitter. and one day, while
they were in attendance at court, his
enemy drew q knife and cut him severe
ly in the hand and arm, giving Arne
mark that he this day bears. Upon
the farm that the enemy had gotten
away from him, Arne's father lived and
was to have his life support, and,
when the father lay upon his death bed,
Arne visited him and learned that he
had been ill-treated, and that probably
his death had been fastened by cruelty.
This 80 enraged Arne that revenge was
mere question of time.
One day while out hunting, he saw
his enemy coming with team, and he
determined with his rifle to give the
fellow q mark, at least. as severe as the
one he himself bore, and raised his gun;
he was q sure marksman unfOr-
tunately, as the enemy walked by the
side of the team, he stumbled just as
Arne was in the act of firing, and in
stead of manning he shot him so that
he soon after died. He was convicted
of murder, and sentenced to death.
which sentence was confirmed on APP
peal to the Supreme Court, without any
Recommendation to pardon, and was
about to be executed. The young and
enthusiastic poet heard of the case, and
it so affected him that he determined
to move heaven and earth, if that were
possible, to procure his pardon. He
wrote for the press q mastery article,
such as Bjornson alone can write. 1t
seemed to move the whole community;
the wives and daughters OF the judges
who had pronounced the sentence and
the wives of the members of the Cabi-
net signed petition to the Govern
ment for his pardon. At length the
death sentence was RENTED, but for
twenty long years Arne remained in
prison, and but q few months ago was
fully pardoned. His wife was dead, his
family was scattered, he himself was
solitary and alone in dreary world; after
having been twenty years within the
prison walls, liberty itself seemed no
boon. He came to America. but he il
nowhere at home. Hearing of Bjorp-
sons arrival in Madison, he determined
to visit him. and it was, indeed, an
affecting scene, the meeting between
these two men. Arne is poor and
penniless; America seems no place for
him. The poet. with. great kindness,
furnishes him the necessary means to
return to his own country, where he
will be employed on Bjornson's estate.
Arne was noted In his parish. az before
remarked. for great bodily strength,
and also for his truthfulness and his
honesty. A most remarkable incident
occurred. After Arne had been sem
tenced to death by the lower court, he
was to be transferred TO an adjoining
bailiwick; the baili6 who had been In