The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1888-04-19
HANGING OF h0LoNC.
The Perpetrator Of One OF the
Most Hideous Murders on Record
Executed at FERGUS Falls.


Nelson Olson Ho.ong was duly executed
at Fergus Falls. Minn., at the date and
hour announced. His last night on earth
was was spent in sound sleep, and no
dreams OF the terrible fate which awaited
him seemed to trouble his mind. Alter
Nels awoke he lay on his cot for few
minutes and then arose, telling the watch
that he would not need his bed any more
and that he could take it out. Every
sound seemed to startle him, and he
complained about people peering into the
windows to catch Il glimpse ut him. When
asked what he wanted for breakfast he
called for fresh fish, but as mono could be
obtained he was given fried spring chick
en-, which he ate with apparent relish
drinking two cups OF tea. After breakfast
several ministers called. remaining with
him for some time. To them Nels express
ed the belief that he was going to heaven,
showing that their labors have not been
in vain.
After dinner he sent for Sheriff Branden-
burg. He asked him if he had anything
against him. The sheriff said mo, Nels.
you have been good boy since you have
been here" "Aell' replied Nels, you
have been kind to me and given me a good
home, but am going to Il better home
now" The sheriff retired and the minis
ters continued their labors with the
prisoner.
At 1852 p. IN. Sheriff Brandenburg enter
ed Holong cell, carrying n small vaiise.
To the prisoner he said well, Nels, |
must now erform my duty and. taking
from his pocket the death warrant, he be
gan reading 1T to the condemned man, who
stood with his head bowed upon his
breast, staring at the floor OF his cell. His
face was pale, but he betrayed no emotion,
and 1t became evident that he would pass
away without tlinching.
On the march to the gallows the con-
demned man walked slowly, but with II firm
STEP ard with his head bowed. When
they reached the gallows he looked up at
the rope with the fatal moose in the end,
but what ever feelings he may have expe
ricnced. no signs were depicted on his face.
Sheriff Brandenhurg and the watch walk
ed on either side, but he assembled the
steps without assistance and took his place
on the center OF the trap, asking ii he was
in the right place. Rev. A. Void, OF the Nor
weean Lutheran church, assembled to the
platform and offered short prayer in
Norwegian, asking the Almighty to be
merciful to the sinful man, and finishing
with the Lord s Prayer. The condemned
mans legs were fastened together with
shackles at the ankles and Il strap just
above the knees. His arms were also
strapped just above the elbows. The moose
was then applied, the knot coming under
burg was drawing the black cap
over his head Holong murmured "Oh,
Jesus in scarcely audible tone and they
were the last words he ever uttered. The
sheriff then stepped back. and, giving the
lever Il sudden jerk. the trap fell, and the
murderer of Lille Field dropped seven feet
ard hung motionless. There were only u
few spasmodic Jerks OF the limbs. 1t was
just clock when the trap was sprung
In eleven and a hall minutes his pulse
ceased at the wrists, and in twenty minutes
gave its final beat.
1t was on the morning OF Friday, May
81 1897, that the brutal murder was COM
mitted for which Nels Olson Holong
hanged. 1t occurred in the little town OF
st. Olaf, near Ashby, MINI. Lille, the tif.
teen -year-old daughter OF Mrs. Alex. Field,
was on the morning OF the tragedy lett at
home with her little brother and the hired
man, Nels Olson Holong. The latter was
enamo:ed OF the girl, and had for some
time been prosecuting her with attentions
which she did not reciprocate. About
9 o'clock Friday morning, Nels told
Clark, the little boy, to take a
scoop shovel over to a neighbor mile
away. When the boy returned there were
no signs of Lille or the hired man. The
boy remained around home until evening"
when his mother and older brother. aged
twenty eight, returned from town. The
absence OF Nels did not excit any suspicion
OF wrong and the girl had been In the hab-
it OF going to a neighbours house over
night. Early the next morning when Mr..
Field went to do the chores he noticed that
the cattle had not been fed, and on pass
ing through the hog yard fearful sight
was revealed to him-the nude body OF his
sister, dead, hacked and mutilated and
partially eaten by the hogs.
Shortly after his capture he confessed
the murder as follows: 'I killed Lille
Field. don't know what my motive was,
for she had never done anything to me. |
wanted her picture and she would not give
it to me. We quarreled, and | struck her
on the back OF the head. She did not move
after that; then | (here the murderer drew
his finger across his throat significantly
threw her into the hog pen. | ain very
sorry that murdered her.