Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1881-03-10
THE CRANDALL TRAGEDY.
LATE DEVELOPMENTS OF TIE
.. . AFFAIR.
Details of the Intense Excitement OF
Monday Might. ....
RAD MrsTAKE-cRANpA1L's STORY.

stirred up rs they have been over the dea'h
of Mrs. W.O. Crandall, and never has
there been such intense excitement rs there
was on Monday evening over the reported
finding of knife wound in the body OF
the dead woman But to give correct
account of the whole affair, we will give II
of facts from the beginning:
Since the death of Mrs w. D. Crandall.
which occurred at MiIhank couple OF
weeks ago. under such mysterious and
rather suspicious circumstances. the pe"'
pie of this vici;'ity have been much excited
and worked up over it, the general impress
sion being that there had been some foul
play. This was natural conclusion, as
Crandali had pever treated his wife well;
he was known to have driven her from
home. while living here; HAD repeatedly
struck and illused her, and it was, as we
have stated, u very natural conclusion,
from the peculiar facts of her death. Tor
the people to feel that the strong circum
>tantiul evidence which surrounds this sad
case should he officially Investigated, and
all the light possible let in on this matter.
so after the remains of the unfortunate
woman were brought here, it was decided
to have a post mOrtcm examination of the
hody. After the funeral the body Was
taken to vacant building, removed from
the coffin, and placed in vat containing
oln Ami for nf
it out This occu! led some time, hut on
Monday evening the body was sufficiently
thawed out to admit of a partial examina-
ton, when those present were Mortified to
discover what seemed to all appearances
to he a long cash in the abdomen. just be-
low the ribs. This news spread like Wild
fire through the village. and in less time
than it takes TO write it, II crowd started
for Crandalls mothers residence, thinking
that he was there, and intending. if he was
found, to bring him to view the remains
of his wife The folks at the house de-
MED his being there, but the crow d refused
to be satisfied, and the building Was
searched by the sheriff and marshal, who
were quickly on the ground, attracted by
the large an rapidly increasing crowd Of
excited men, who were assembled there.
Search proving unavailing, the incensed
multitude dispersed till morning when it
Was discovered that Crandall had not been
home, but Was ut Graccville, en- route for
Morris.
Luckily for Crandall that he was not at
home, for had he been found, there is 70
knowing what would have been done with
him, as the excitement was 1T a fever heat.
|, was also fortunate for all concerned that
the affair of Monday night turned us it
did. for on Tuesday morning representa-
tive of the TRIBUNE. to make sure there
was no mistake, accompanied by DR. Ray
and Mr.. L. E. Pearce, made close
examination of the body, and the timely
revelation Was made that the supposed cut
Was only lap of the loose flesh, which
had been folded and frozen in such il way
is to appear exactly like il cash from ii
knife 1t Was IL timely and fortunate dis.
covcry of u mistake made under IL hasty
and imperfect examination and before
the outer portion of the body Was tho
roughly free from frost, us had it not been
made. and had Cran'lall appeared, the en-
ragged populace would have at least
handled h,m severely.
On Tuesday morning Crandail arrived
from Herman, acc ompanird ty his child.
tIe Immediately proceeded to his mothers
residence. and WAS called on by the TRI
BUNE reporter and Il couple of other gen
,lemen. He was, While very nervous and
much worked up, perfectly willing to talk
OF the affair. and stated that he had been
greatly wronged, and desired to have :;
fair hearing before the people, feeling con
tident, that although affairs looked very
tia. k and suspicious, that he would be able
To fully establish his innocence. On
second visit the following conversation
took Place between Irandall and his int +
viewer:
| Reporter: MIR. Crandall, had there
ucen amy recent difficulty or quarrel he
tween YOU and your wife pre-, lUus to or uI
! the gay Ut her ueatll?"
Crauuall mo Sir, none at ALL"
r.: Nv hen size lett home on Sunday
February u, to 90 To the postOlliCe, wcr,
YOU asleep"
T.: Il was; missed her when awok,
about two O'Clock III The afternoon "
H.: "lIOw long after she |, 1t home Wa,
1t before you made search for her! kelat,
all particulars
| T.: After waking in answer to
question, my boy told me that wife hat
gone to mix the cow. l then Went to tie
stable. glanced in at the door, but did no
see her, returned SOON after ana examined
the barn, but could nnd no tra.e of her
and then commenced searching for tracks
up tile west side of the creek. but cnul,
tnd none. | thought she had started fo
tile pust"fticc, ami supposed she had foull(
shelter from the storm, SO made no furthc
search that day. Next morning went t,
ncighUor, IA Norwegian named ualve son
about mile and II half .istant from my
place, IN asked him if he had seen eithe
my wife or dog yesterday. tie could no
speak much English, but shook his head
| told him they were missing, and aske,
help to fluid them. lie said lie was sick
hut would send his boy to his brothers TO
help saw the boy go, and us it Wa
threatening to he stormy | started TO
home. made no much efforts that day
AZ couldn't leave the little boy alone il
the house. On Tuesday afternoon, abou
four O'Clock. my dog came home i'm
mediatcly followed his tracks back, an,
found the body about half mile from
ilalvcrs0, ! then went to lIalverson'
and tried to get help to get the bolie
home, but as he could not 20 got the Iii
tie boy to help mark the place VIII, re tn
bodies were, and after put up u stick
went home. On Wednesday went to an
other neighbor. an American, name,
'amerons, to get help They came u
Thursday, about noon; we then went on,
got the bodies and brought them home"
! X: Had your wife no clothes othc
than she had on when found?"
g.: She mad n fair supply Of clothing
enough to have made her comforts,
ble"
r.: FLOW came it she was SO scantil
,lressed?"
c.: She had on about the same clo!l
: Ing she always wore she never wore much
never refused to let her have her cloth
ing