The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1894-10-06
A SOCIAL SENSATION,
INVOLVING TWO PEOPLE WELL
KNOWN IN THE NORTHWEST.
Capt. John G. OlberR IL the Alleged
Victim Of a Man who IL His Double
Mrs. Olbcrg II Implicated With
the Double and Disappears.

Victim Of a Man who IL His Double
Mrs. Olbcrg Ia Implicated With
the Double md Disappears.
Washington. Oct. "a social scnsa-
tion in which a former prominent Min
nesotan. his handsome wife, and q
Missouri Colonel are the central
figures. has developed in this city, and
it promises to rival and eclipse the
observation-disclosures 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
a 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 ma
who makes and keeps many warm
friends.
BY reason of a Dromio-like resem-
blancc between Capt. John G. Olberg
and Col. Alexander A. Russell Of
Missouri, a 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 a 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 duplicity in beat
ing Olberg out of nearly all of his
worldly possessions, including the
handsome residence near Anacostia,
valued at a low estimate at $4,000.
On Friendly Terms
Employed in the pension bureau,
and occupying q 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 at
fairs in the West, and was in st. Paul
about six weeks ago. Soon after his
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
In 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
%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 a result Of their Investigations,
Col. Russell was arrested, charged
with having forged a trust deed in
the sum Of $1,000 to secure a loan of
$4,000 from j. A. Maedler, of the
Washington Six Per Cent Loan and
Building association.
Identified RUSSELL MS the Man..
To this instrument is also attached
the name OF Mrs. Olberg. The con-
yeyance was acknowledge by a notary,
u. Schmtt. who identifies a picture Of
Col. Russell as being the man who
signed US John A. Olberg. Several
other loans were also negotiated on
the Olberg property at Bennings, one
deed being for $500 to F. j. Calhoun
n John r. Benton, trustees. An
other is for $1,000. under date of Feb.
2, 1893, showing that the d%efalcations
have been under way for some time.
On the date when the first deed pur-
ports to have been signed, Capt. o.
berg has proven that lie was in the
State of Minnesota, and therefore the
signature could not be his. Russell
was arrested on his return from a
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 wife's name should not be
mentioned. but the Washington pa
Fers devote columns to the story,
which has sensational features enough
to furnish q plot for Emile lola. II is
said that Mrs. Olberg has made a full
confession to her husband, and that
:le has forgiven her.
Russell has secured eminent counsel.
and has been released from custody
on $3.50 bail.
Olberg's property has already been
eoreclosed, but the courts will be in
ycked to set aside the sale. He has a
$1,000 position, and Mrs. Olberg draws
$1,000 q year. Where the money has
gone that vas raised on the property
is q mystery.
Russell is a married man, but has
been separated from his wife for some
time. He alleges that he is the victim
OF a scheme to ruin him, and declares
his wife is at the bottom of 1t. Mrs.
Olberg is q fair and cOmely woman
rather stout, and has always borne a
good reputation here. The Olbergs