The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1888-04-27
MANoiMo OF noLoMc.
Tho Perpetrator Of Ono Of the
N1ost Hldoouo Murders on Record
Executed At eor0ua EalIa.

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 awoks 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 hs could. take It out. Every
complained about people peering into tho
windows to catch u glimpse at him. When
asked what he wanted for breakfast no
called Tor fresh fish. hut as none could be
obtained he was given q fried spring chick.
en-. which he ate with apparent relish,
drinking two cups OF tea. After breakfast
several ministers called. remaining with
him Tor some time. To them Nels express.
"a the belief that ho was going to heaven,
showing that their labors have not been
In vain.
After dinner lie sent for Sheriff Branlen.
burg. He asked him II he had anything
against him. The sheriff said: "No, Nels,
you have been . good boy since you have
been here" Aell," replied Nsls. "you
have bsen kind to me and given me a good
home. but I ~, going to better homo
nox.s ,4he sheriff re4yai aud the minis.
terra corrtinYed their labors with the
prisoner.
AT 1859 p. IN. Sheriff Bra andcnburc enter.
cd Holong's cell, carrying u small valjse.
10 the prisoner he said "Well, Nels, |
must now pc'forln 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
l'reast, staring at the floor OF his cell. His
lace was pale, but lie betrayed no emotion,
and 1t became evident that he would pass
away without iiinching.
On the march to the gallows the con.
demned man walked slowly, but with firm
step. md with his head bowed, When
they renched the gallows he looked up at
the rope with the fatal noose in the end,
but whnt ever feelings he may have expe.
rlenceti. no signs were depicted on his face.
Sheriff lsrandenbnrg aud the watch walk.
cd on either side, hut he assembled the
steps without assistance n nd took his place
on the center OF the trap, asking il he was
in the right place. Rev. A. Void, of the Nor.
~eslnn Lutheran church, assembled to the
platform and offered Il short prayer in
Norwegian. asking tho Almighty TO be
merciiul to the sinful man. aud finishing
with tho Lords Prayer. The condemned
mans legs were fastened together with
shackles at tho ankles and strap just
above tho knees. His arms were also
strapped just above the elbows Tho moose
was then applied, tho knot coming under
tho left ear. AS Sheriff Bramlen.
burg was drawing the black cap
over his head iIolong murm,rr.l "Oh,
Jesus in scarcely audible tone. and they
were the last words lie ever uttered. Tho
sheriff then stepped back. nnd. giving the
lever a sudden jerk. the trap fell, aud the
murderer Of l.illic Field dropped seven feet
ard hung motiOnlcss. There were only a
lew spasnlodic jerks OF tho limbs. II was
ist O'Clock when the trap was sprung.
In eleven and half minutes his pulse
ceased Mt the wrists, andin twenty minutes
gave it's final beat.
:, 1t was on the morning of Friday, May
20, 1887, that thebrutal murder was com.
mitted for which Ncls Olson Holnng
hanged. 1t occurred in the little town OF
~. OLAF, near Ashby, MINI. Lille, the iii.
teen -year.oll daughter Of Mrs. Alex. Field
was ON the morning Of the tragedy left ut
home with her little brother and the hired
man, Nes Olson Holnng. The latter was
enamored OF tine girl. and had for some
time been prosecuting her with attentions
which she did not rcciprocate. About
D o'clock Friday morning, Nels told
scoop shovel over to ncirhbor a mile
away. When the boy returned there were
no signs of Lille or tho 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.
IL Of going TO neighbors 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 mutiated and
partially eaten by the hogs.
Shortly after his capture he confessed
the murder as follows: ~ killed Lille
Field. don't know what my motive was,
Tor 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 hoad She did not move
after that; then (l,ere the murderer drew
his finger across his throat significantly
threw her into the hog pom. am very
sorry that murdered her."