The Dickinson press., 1894-10-06
Highest of all in Leavening PoweE-Latest Govt Report
R3&!4!l! q! Rs%asSz RRa';3aHS
ABSOLUTELY PURE
A SOCIAL SENSATION.
INVOLVING TWO PEOPLE WELL
KNOWN IN THE NORTHWEST.

INVOLVING TWO PEOPLE WELL
KNOWN IN THE NORTHWEST.
Capt. John q. Olbcr4 Is the Alleged
Victim of IL Man Who In His Double
-Mrs. OlberE In Implicated With
the Double and DlsaDDears.
Washington, Oct "A social sensa-
tion III which IL former prominent Min
nes"tan. his handsome wife, and q
Missouri "COlonel" are the central
figures. has developed in this city. and
II promises to rival and eclipse the
Rrec&inridge- Pollard scandal.
Capt. JOHN q. 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 handsOmcst men in government
circles. lie stands fully six feet. has
magnificent physique, and in bear
ing is an impressive Chesterfield.
lie is Il very little over forty, and
all here who knew him, have always
had the highest respect and kindliest
feelings toward him. for he is 4 man
who makes and keeps many warm
friends.
BY reason of Il DromiO-like resem-
blance between Capt. John q. Olberg
and Col. Alexander 4. Russell of
Missouri. speciel examiner in the
pension department, the former Is
ruined man to-day, his property gone
0nf hiS hr,, hp., In,
Russell bear so close Il 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 persollated Capt. Olberg, but for
forgery. fraud and duplicity In heat
ing Olberg out Of nearly all of his
worldly possessions, including the
handsome residence near Anacostia,
valued ut low estimate at $4,000.
On Friendly Terms.
Employed in the pension bureau,
and occupying desk near to that Of
Russell, Mrs. John q. 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
uFsaIh WI. IluSStIl NlIS. olUGIS
have been seen together ut lunch or
ut places OF amusement, and the Col.
has passed easily enough us 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 Ills
return he was Mortified to- learn that
his property, which he had paid for
and improved, was under a heavy
trust deed, or what should be termed
III Minnesota a mortgage, In the sum
of $1,000. Mr.. Olberg could hardly
believe that he was in his right mind
when confronted With the conveyance
purportins 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. o.
berg secured tile services of two of
the best detectives In Washington,
and, as result of their investigations.
Col. Russell was arrested, charged
with having forged Il trust deed in
the sum Of $1,000 to secure loan of
S4,5OO from J. A. Macdler. of the
Washington Six Per Cent Loan and
Building association.
Identified Russell as the Man.
To this instrument is also attached
the name Of. Mrs. Olberg. The con.
veyance was acknowledge by a notary.
Il. Schmit, who identifies Il picture Of
Col. Russell as being the man who
signed as John A. Olberg. Several
other loans were also negotiated on
the Olberg property ut Bennings, one
deed being for $500 to l.. ]. Calhoun
and John Il. Benton. trustees. An
other is for $1,aOO. under date of Feb.
2, 1SD3 showing that the defalcations
have been under way for some time.
On the date Wien the first deed pur-
ports to have been signed, Capt. o.
berg has proven that he was in the
State OF Minnesota, and therefore the
signature could not be his. Russell
was arrested on his return from q
trip in Pennsylvania, where he had
been detailed il week ago. He was
much disturbed and surprised, and
protested that he had not signed the
deeds.
Capt. Olberg is almost heart-broken.
and begged, that for his children's
sake. his wifc'S name should not be
mentioned. but the Washington pa
pers devote columns to the story,
which has sensational features enough
to furnish plot for Emile Zola. 1t ia
said that Mrs. Olberg has made q full
confession to her husband, and that
lie has forgiven her.
Russell has secured eminent counsel.
and has been released from custody
on $500 bail
Olbers's property has already been
foreclosed. but the courts will be in
voked to set aside the sale. He has a
$1,000 position, and Mrs. Olbere draws
$1,000 year. Where the money has
gone that was raised on the property
Is q mystery.