The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1894-10-04
A SOCIAL SENSATION,

!. a #bOCl1A EpG1NC1
INVOLVING TWO PEOPLE WELL
KNOWN IN THE NORTHWEST.
Capt. John G. Olberg Is the Alleged
Victim Of u Man Who Is His Double
Mrs. .Olberg Is Implicated With
the Double and Disappears.
49,
Washington, Oct. ga social sensa'
Z ton III which former prominent Mill
nesotan, his handsome wife, and
Missouri Colonel are the central
figures, has developed in this city, and
it promises to rival and eclipse the
Breckenridge Pollard scandal.
Capt John G. Olberg, well known
in ST. Paul and other Minnesota cities,
has been for several years connected
with the Indian department here,
holding an important position in the
record division. The captain is one of
the handsomest men in government
circles He stands fully six feet, has
magnificent physique, and in bear
ing is an impressive Chesterfield.
He is a very little over forty, and
all here who knew him, have always
had the highest respect and kindliest
feelings toward him, for he is a man
who makes and keeps many warm
friends.
BY reason of Dromio-like resem-
blance between Capt. John &. Olberg
and COL Alexander A. Russell Of
Missouri Il speciel examiner in the
pension department, the former is a
ruined man to-day, his property gone
and his home broken up. Olberg and
Russell bear so close resemblance
that friends of each have often mis-
taken one for the other, in fact, the
similarity is so striking that Col. Rus
sell is under arrest for having not
only personated Capt. Olberg, but for
forgery, fraud and duplieity in beat
ing Olberg out Of nearly all of his
worldly possessions, including the
handsome residence near Anacostla,
valued at a low estimate at $4,000
On Friendly Terms.
Employed in the pension bureau,
and occupying desk near to that OF
Russell, Mrs. John G. Olberg has for
the past year or more been on terms Of
the most devoted friendship with Col.
Russell. 1t is stated that time and
again Col. Russell and Mrs Olberg
have been seen together at lunch or
at places of amusement, and the Col
has passed easily enough as the hus-
band to the lady Capt Olberg is
sometimes sent out by the department
on business connected with Indian af-
fairs in the West and was in st. Paul
about six weeks ago. Soon after his
1,, 4J,.> L.
his property, which he had paid for
and improved, was under heavy
trust deed or what should be termed
in Minnesota a mortgage, in the sum
of $4,000. Mr.. Olberg could hardly
believe that he was in his right mind
when confronted with the conveyance
purporting to be signed by himself
and wife. He had noticed for some
time past the friendly relations OF
Col. Russell and Mrs. Olberg, but re-
fused to believe that anything was
wrong. He stood firm in the belief
that his wife had been made the vic
tim of somebody, and was 10th to take
any steps that would bring her name
into the matter. =
But something had to be done. OF
berg secured the services of two OF
the best detectives in Washington
and, as result Of their investigations
Col. Russell was arrested, charged
with having forged trust deed il
the sum of $1,000 to secure loan OF
$1,000 from ]. A. Maedler, of thu
Washington Six Per Cent Loan an(
Building association.
Identified Russell as the Man.
10 this instrument is also attached
the name of Mrs. Olberg. The con
yeyance was acknowledge by notary
IL. Schmit, who identifies picture O
Col. Russell as being the man VIII,
signed as John A. Olberg Severa
other loans were also negotiated OF
the Olberg property at Bennings, on,
deed being for 81 800 to f. J. Calhoun
and John e. Benton, trustees. An
other is for 81 800. under date of Feb
2, 1893 showing that the defalcation
have been under way for some time
On the date when the first deed pur
ports to have been signed, Capt. OF
berg has proven that he was in tn
State OF Minnesota. and therefore TIL
signature could not be his. Russell
was arrested on his return from
trip in Pennsylvania, where he ha
been detailed a week ago. He wa
much disturbed and surprised, an
protested that he had not signed til
deeds
Capt. Olberg is almost heart-broke1
and begged, that for his children
sake, his Wifes name should not b
mentioned, but the Washington pc
pers devote columns to the story
which has sensational features enoug
to furnish plot for Emile Zola It
said that Mrs. Olberg has made a flu
confession to her husband, and thu
he has forgiven her.
f. Russell has secured eminent counse
and has been released from custod
on $4,000 bail
Olberg's property has already bee
foreclosed, but the courts will be i,
voked to set aside the sale. He has
$1,000 position, and Mrs Olberg draw
$1,000 year. Where the money hs
gone that was raised on the propert
is a mystery.
Russell is married man, but hi
L.