The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-12-06
MURDERER TRACED.
Wisconsin Parricide Arrested
at Sidney.
HE TELLS A PITiFuL STORY.
Acquitted Once He Willingly Returns
for New Trial-Evans Guilty
of First Degree Murder.

Silas Speed, sheriff OF Barron county, Wis, ar
rived in the city last evening with Gus
tave Erickson, whom ne captured at Sidney on
a warrant charging him with the murder of his
father near Chetek, in september, 1895. The
prisoner is tail, well-formed young man about
- years old and looks Ike farmer. He was
willing 10 tax about his case. aud said that no
one could feel worse over the crime than he did.
He protested, however, that it was an un-
fortunate mistake all around; that he did not
know that he was fighting his father the night
OF the murder.
Sheriff Speed was highly elated over his cap
ture, and says that he has been on the young
mans trail for over year. Al one time, some
months ago. he traced him as far as Denver, but
there he lost the trail and returned to Chetek.
Several weeks ago Erickson wrote letter from
Sidney 10 former friend at Chetek, and his
friend answered, posting letter addressed TO
him In the Chetek postoffice. The postmaster
recognized the name and notified the sheriff, and
the latter Immediately left for Sidney, arriving
there Friday morning h found his man eat
ing break asst and placed him under arrest. The
young fellow was remarkably cool and offered
not the slightest resistance; in fact, he signhed
his perfect willingness to accompany the officer
and said he was glad he was arrested. The
sheriff placed the prisoner in the county jail
here as soon as he arrived in the city, AMI he
will leave this morning on the 7:i5 overland
train for the scene of the crime.
Erickson was seen in his cell last evening by
a observation-disclosures reporter, and seemed
very much depressed in spirits. His bearing
would not indicate nurderous disposition
He did not know whether he ought to talk
about his case or not, but after hesitating N O.
ment he became agitated and said:
don't deny being the cause of my fathers
death, but didn't know it was him at the time
1t was in the woods short distance from our
old homestead mean their old homestead.
IN not one of the family now, but used TO call
it that.
The young fellow buried his uukempt head in
his hands and was loath to proceed Recover
ing himself, he said:
1t was after dark and don't remember all
that took place. We fought He was larger
than and-they say ne was choked to death. /
saw it was my father and ran away, hid in the
woods for long time | guess lost my mind
for time, because | can't remember distinctly
all that took pla ace after father was killed
Everybody excited and the authorities
wanted me and hunted the woods for me, but
Kept away from them. When they quit hunting
gave myself up. | was given trial and was
discharged. l Immediately left for Colorado
There learned that the officers claimed they
had new evidence of damaging char
acter, sufficient TO convict me.
warrant was issued and fled further west.
When arrived in sidney, wrote to friends in
Denver and told them that was going back to
Chetek to give myself up, but they advised me
not to do so. Then / wrote to a friend at Chetek
and told him where was and that didn't care
whether was brought back or not. That letter
was the cause of the sheriff coming out to Sid
ney. am willing to go back, and have told the
sheriff that he need not go to the trouble OF Sc
curing requisition papers, for will not fight the
case but Will accompany him peaceably.
At Sidney Erickson worked as a carpenter and
though frequently attacked with fits of melan-
chnly