New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1888-04-25
kANclNG OF HOLDING.
The Perpetrator of One of the
Most Hideous Murders on Record
Executed at Fergus Falls.

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. Mimi, 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
shat 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
window to catch a glimpse at him. When
asked what he wanted for breakfast he
called for fresh fish, but as none could be
obtained he was given a fried spring chick
en-. which he ate with apparent relish.
drinking two cups OF tea. After breakfast
several ministers called, remaining with
aim Tor some time. To them Nels express
I'd 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 a good boy since you have
been here" Aell replied Nels, you
he'se psen hiHd 20 me dnd gwen me SoOd
home, but am going to a better home
now" The sheriff retired and the minis
ters continued their labors with the
prisoner.
At 1852 p. m. Sheriff Brandenburg enter
ed Holong's cell, carrying IL small valise.
To the prisoner he said, well, Nels,
must now perform my duty and, taking
from his pocket the death warrant, he be.
gan reading it to the condemned man, who
stood with his head bowed upon his
breast, staring at the floor OF his cell. His
lace was pale, but he betrayed no EN- otion,
and 1T became evident that he would pass
away without f1inching.
On the march to the gallows the con-
demned man walked slowly but with firm
step, and 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-
rienced, no signs were depicted on his face.
Sheriff Brandenburg and the watch walk.
ed on either side but he assembled the
steps without assists lance and took his place
in the right place. Rev. A. Void, OF the Nor.
wegian Lutheran church, assembled to the
platform and offered a short prayer in
Norwegian, asking the Almighty to be
merciful to the sinful man, and finishing
with the Lords Prayer. The condemned
mans legs were fastened together with
shackles at the ankles and a strap lust
above the knees. His arms were also
strapped just above the elbows. The moose
the left ear. AS Sheriff Brandon.
burg was drawing the black cap
over his head Holong murmured "Oh,
Jesus" in a scarcely audible tone, and they
were the last words he ever uttered. The
sheriff then stepped back. and giving the
lever a sudden jerk. the trap fell and the
murderer OF Lille Field dropped seven feet
ard hung notionless. There were only a
few spasmodic jerks OF the limbs. 1t was
Just 2 o'clock when the trap was sprung.
In eleven and half minutes his pulse
ceased at the wrists, and lin twenty minutes
gave it's final beat.
27, 1887, that the brutal murder was com
mitted for which Nels Olson Holong
hanged. 1t occurred in the little town OF
st. Olaf, near Ashby, Mimi Lille, the fiji.
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
ennmoced OF the girl, and had for some
time been prosecuting her with attentions
which she did not reciprocate. About
8 o'clock Friday morning Nels told
SAebA hs SiUGlS OOys W CdkS 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 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: II killed Lille
Field. | don't know what my motive was,
for she had never done anything to me. I
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 thu hog pen. l am very
sorry that [ murdered her."