Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1896-04-22
LENA OLSON'S SLAYER.
A. a. Austin Caught, but He
Cheats the Ga1lows.
Sequel TO Sensational Murder at Duluth
Two Years Ago.

Duluth, Mimi, April 17.-After a
search of nearly two years, during
which time at least dozen suspects
have been arrested, A. A. Austin. who
enticed Lena Olsen from Minneapolis
to Duluth and then brutally murdered
her for her money, throwing her body
into Lake Superior, has been caught.
He was arrested by a Minneapolis at
torney in Seattle yesterday, where he
lived under the name of James E. Alsop.
Chief of Police Smith of Minneapolis,
who has been working up the case, ar
rived here today and requisition papers
will be procured.
The handwriting of A. A. Austin
found on a hotel register here tallies
with that of Alsop's. Alsop has been
involved in a number of questionable
deals heretofore. He was VAIN friend
of Harry Hayward. the Minneapolis
murderer, and in his valise was found
handkerchief marked with Hayward
name.
1t was on Wednesday, August %,
1894, that the body of a woman was
found on the lake shore of Minnesota
point. When a cape which covered the
the nose and from wound in the back
of the head The skull had been frac-
tured and the instrument which inflicted
the blow was found to be heavy oak
stick which was lying near the place.
About twenty feet away was found a
switch of false hair, together with a
comb. 1t was some days before the re-
mains were identified as those Of Lena
Olsen of Minneapolis. The murder was
traced to one A. A. Austin for whom the
police have since been searching.
Austin's Arrest at Seattle.
Tacoma, Wash, April Thames E.
AlSOp. who was arrested at Seattle yes
terday on a charge of having murdered
Lena Olsen at Duluth. Mimi, in 1894,
ca came here in 1883 from Kansas, where
he had been deputy sheriff. He en-
gagged In the real estate business and
several years later was supposed to be
worth $4,000. He was made superin-
tendent of an Improvement company and
suburban railway, but was removed
by the directors.
He left Tacoma for Duluth, where
he engaged in the real estate business,
and is reported to have gotten into troub-
lie there by the alleged forging of a deed.
On November a, 1890 while residing
here, he drove his wife behind spirited
horse to the top OF a hill to look at a
house. At the top of the hill he got out
Tor the apparent purpose of fixing the
harness. The horse ran away. threw
' Il
body was buried, it is said, without her
relatives in the East being notified. Later
her brother came out and wanted the
body eXhumed alleging foul play
Through the efforts of friends the matter
was huShed up.
The next July he married Mrs Julia
MinthOm, who had just secured a di-
vorce on the ground of non-support. for
which divorce Alsop is alleged to have
paid. The couple lived together very
unhappily for a year She still resides
here, as does also AIsop'S son, Il young
man, and his daughter Kate, aged 49,
Mrs. Alsop did not wish to make state
ment today but admitted that they did
live happily together.
Austin Takes His Life.
Seattle, Wash. April 1S.-James E.
Alsap, alias Austin, wanted in Duluth
for the murder of Lena Olsen. committed
suicide in jail here at 1870 o'clock last
night.
Alsop took a short piece OF blanket
given him TO sleep on. and after making
it fast to q staple in the wall only five
feet above the floor, put the other end
around his neck and proceeded to
strangla himself: He was discovered at
1920 o'clock. when Detective Courtney
and Tailor Peer entered his cell to give
him some oranges. While it is true that
Alsop made no regular confession, he adj
mitted in general way to Detective
Philbry that he was in Duluth under
the name of Austin. Courtney was
afraid yesterday afternoon that Alsop
would commit suicide, but the police
thought his fears groundless.