The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-07-17
CONFLICTING TESTIMONY.
NORDSTROM EMPHATTCALLY DE-
MES ANNA HELBER G's CHARGES.
The Woman is COrrobOrated By Her
Children, HOwever-Hearing Con-
tfnUed Until Today.

The preliminary nearing Oh tdIl "
Nordstrom, who, it is alleged, forced
an entrance 20 Mrs. Anna Helberg' S
house for the purpose of ravishing her,
was begun before Judge Wenger yester-
day. The case proved to be somewhat
complicated. 1t was at first thought of
trying Nordstrom on a charge of as
sault TO commit rape, but yesterday the
charge of burglary with intent to COM
nit rape was substituted. Graham H.
Putnam represented the defendant and
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Hough-
ton appeared for the state.
Mrs. Helberg is a Scandinavian wo-
man, probably 80 years OF age. She IS
not well versed in the English language,
but sufficiently so to make herself I'M
derstood. Owing to The notoriety the
scandal would give her name, she was
almost distracted with grief, and her
story on the witness stand came spas
medically, between sobs.
Mrs. Helberg said she had three chill
dren, the oldest being years OF age.
To gain a living she took in Washing
and did various other kinds of work,
such as her time outside of taking care
of the children would permit.
Coming down to the more particular
point at issue, she stated that she mad
met NordStrom a few times and mad
what might be termed a speaking &C
quaintance with him. She had occa-
sion to move once and he assisted her.
"One night about two weeks ago, she
was awakened by q man coming into
her room It was Nordstrom." By
force, Mrs. Helberg said, he accom-
plished his purpose. She did not give
publicity to this occurrence at the
time. fearing the scandal that would
inevitably be attached to her name.
Last Monday night about II O'Clock
Nordstrom returned to the house and
raped at the front door. She refused
to open it and he forced it open, break
ing the lock- Her own and the chill
/ dren's screams, however, frightened
him away this time, but before going
he stated the object of his coming, his
designs being the same as on his pre-
vious visit This time she notified the
police about it and afterwards sWore
to the complaint.
Victor. a bright little lad of 5 years,
corroborated his mother and positively
identified Nordstrom as the man who
entered the house and assaulted ms
mother.
Carl t. Youngberg, John c. Ensign,
4 Louis Habein. Hugo Hoefer and Axel
! Olson were put on the stand by the
defense to testify about Nordstrom
good character and chastity, but it de-
! veloped that they knew very little
! about him Youngberg said he saw
him every. day at Youngberg's saloon
on Second South street and the boys
! considered him a good fellow.
The defendant then took the stand.
He is a man SO years of age, of power
full build.
Nordstrom smiled when put on the
stand and kept up cheerful COM
posture all the time. Il am what you
call a handy feilow-do a little OF
everything he began in reply to At
torney Harrington's question. He sale
/ he had known Mrs. Helberg about four
years, but the acquaintance had not
been very intimate. Regarding last
Monday night he said he went to the
house about 10 o'clock to solicit work
| for DR.. Baxter, a dentist. They sat
and talked awhile and witness went
away. She had remarked to him about
having to get up early in the morn
ing and so, to accommodate her, he
returned about o'clock the following
morning and raped at her bedroom
window He also had another purpose
in calling, desiring to borrow a saw.
Nordstrom denied very emphatically
that he had ever assaulted the woman
and said she had sworn falsely in say
ing anything different.
Further testimony developed the fact
that Nordstrom was at one time in
struetor of the "Liederkrantz," the
German singing society of this city
He also gives instruction on the violin
| Attorney Putnam raised a legal ques-
ton and pending its settlement the
case was continued until 2 o'clock to-
/ daY.