St. Paul daily globe., 1892-06-16
A HORRIBLE STORY.
Efforts at Diab0lieal Murder
of a Jealous Mad
Lover.
Repulsed by the Idol Of His
Affections He Plans Her
Death.
His Lurking Place in a Vault
Discovered Just in
Time.
The Maniac Now Hides in
the Woods Near Me-
CarPon.

The story of a crime almost week
Did is Just coming TO light from fam
lly on Rice street, near WabaSha. As
result an attempted crime of most
1espicable nature young lady'S life Is
almost despaired of, and an insane
Rould-be murderer is being hunted
Down in the woods near McCarron
lake. The story as told by neighbOr
Df the family is as follows: \ well-to-
10 tradesman of Rice street, who
besides butcher shop and feed
store owns a valuable farm near that of
Jim Hill in this county, had in his en-
pi0y a middle-aged Swedish laborer,
whose name is given as Larson, al
though that is not supposed to be his
true name. This man had been EN-
pioved by the farmer-merchant tor sew
eTal years in the capacity of teamSter,
and about a month ago was sent out TO
the farm. He soon become dissatisfied,
and begged to come back TO the city.
The request was granted. and Larson
once more took up his residence with
the family on Rice street. Immediately
upOn his return to the city the man
seems to have gone utterly mad. He had
formed All insane passion for daugh-
ter of his employer, Young lady about
twenty years of age. He had never ap-
preached her except on one occasion.
and was promptly repulsed with the
threat that if the OtfenSe was repeated
the girl would inform her father.
1t vas then he formed he resolution
to murder the girl and take his own
life. He set about the matter deliber-
Rtely and laid his plans with the cum
ming of a madman. Going to an
OuthOuSe. which is much freqnented
by members of the family, he
gained access to the vault
below the floor, and, with tools taken
from the butcher shop, cut away the
sillS under the floor, arranging perfect
dead-faIl, so that by removing props
which he had arranged the floor would
give way and the person standing upon
1t would be precipitated to the dark pit
below. He then provided himself with
food and water aud hid himself under
the floor, awaiting the approach of his
victim. He had previously emoved
hearly every vestige of his clOthiag ,and
had taken into the trap with him razor
hHd a large meat axe.
There are several girls in the family,
and Larson did not want to make any
mistake II was the one upon whom he
had laYished his jealous love that he
had determined to kill. After waiting,
10 one knows how long, for his victim.
she finally approached. Unconscious
of the peril i'll wIIich she stood she
stepped upon the fatal trap, but looking
down by accident. she hap
pened to see. peering through an
opening in the floor, two fiery eyes
T5tN
she sprang back. rushed for the house
and tainted upon the threshold. The
madman, seeing the failure of his de-
sign, jumped from his conceaIment and
ran out Rice street towards MeCarroD
lake, almost naked and with great
speed. The family WAS aroused by the
cries of the girl, and search of the
premises revealed the facts above mar
rated. In the barn, where Larson slept,
: was found a suit of his clothes, i'll the
pocket OF which was letter addressed
10 the finder, in which the writer states
that he loved the girl, that she had re-
pulsed his advances and scorned his
love, and that he had determined
TO kill her and himself. In the pit that
he had prepared was found supply of
food sufficient to last man week,
together with large can of water and
the IaZOr and axe with which he had
: intended to commit the murder.
The young lady has been in a danger
1 Gus condition of hysteria and nervous
proStration'ever Since the event trans
pired, and grave fears are entertained
as to the ultimate result OF the fright.
Every possible means have been used
by the family to suppress the story,and
the search for the insane man has
been conducted quietly. with the
hope of experimenting him without
violence. The family is one of the most
respected and reSpectable in the city,
and il is out of regard for their feelings
that names are withheld. Only few
of the neighborS know Of the tragedy
that was so nearly enacted at their
doors, and even these are loyal friends
of the family, and refuse to talk of the
event. Larson has not yet been appre-
hended, and it is thought he may have
made his way into Washington county,
or reason may have been restored to
him after his flight, and he may have
known enough to secure clothing and
make permanent escape.