The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-09-27
SENTENCED FOR LIFE.
Judge Shows No Mercy to Murderer
Erfck Eckman

EFlcA EckmAn.
LITTLE FALLS, Mimi. Sept. o.
Erick Eckman was tried this morning
for the murder of Daniel Klof. of Ran
dali. on the afternoon of Aug. last.
klof, Victor Erickson and Abraham,
Johnson, the latter a son-in-laW Of
Eckman, were on their way to a school,
meeting in the town of Darling. of
which Kolf was president and when
near the school were overtaken by
Eekman, who seemed to be somewhat
intoxicated. Eckman started an argu-
ment with Klof and grabbed hold OF
klof's collar. Klof told johnson to
take Eckman away as he didn't wish
to have any trouble with the old
man. Eckman became mad and pulled
out revolver of the old style and
deliberately shot KIof. Erickson told
Eckman that he had killed Klof. and
this only made him all the madden.
and he turned and fired at Erick-,
son, but did not hit him. BY this time
Abraham Johnson stole up behind Eek
man, caught him and held him. He
was then bound and held until the
sheriff Sc arrival
Before the grand jury ON Tuesday
Elckman pleaded not guilty. but was
brought before Judge SearIe today and
changed his plea to that Of guilty.
His hair and beard have grown long
and have turned grayer during his
two months Of confinement In prison,
and his Cheeks are sunken but he still
seems u1lc concerned, and 1T Is doubtful
If he knew he was being tried for his
life. Fekman is a. Swede and cannot
talkga word of English. He was asked
many questions by Judge Searle and
testified that he was go years old and
lived at Darlington, that he was born
III SWedeH and had come to this coun-,
stryStwo years ago. He. is q farmer,
and has a wife and two children. one
srnarried and the other about is years
old. IN -
Judge Sear1e asked the prisoner sew
eraI times IL he was aware that, in
pleading guilty, he would have to re-
ceive a verdict of the court without
trial, but he answered several times
that he wanted to plead guilty. The
court then allowed that he might
change his plea from not guilty to that
of guilty of murder in the first degree
Eckman, when asked why he shot
Klof, said he had no reason at all, He
had known Daniel Klof for two years
and had nothing against him.
Judge Searle did not seem to be sat
1sfed with his answers, and had the in
terpretef repeat his questions several
times, but Eckman always answered
the same. He further said that it was
near the school house where he killed
Klof. After this he became dazed, and
queer look came over his face, and
he sat and stared hard at those around
him. 1t looked as though he was In
great pain, but he did not break down.
Victor Erickson, neighbof of Eek
man. testified that K1of called for him
on the afternoon of Aug 2, and asked
him to go with him to make out hts
school report. He agreed. and on the
way they were overtaken by Erfck
Eckman, who seemed to be under the
influence Of liquor He related the
story of the killing, as has already been
told. He testified that KIof was
peaceable man and never got into
trouble, and that as much as he knew
Eckman was also quiet man, but had
heard that he had quarreled with his
family.
Abe Johnson, the other eye witness,
was not present at the trial.
By this time Eekman again looked as
sane as any one in the court room. and
the Judge again asked him several
questions He said that when he came
to this country some of his friends adj
vfsedshfm OF buy a revolver and ALWAYS
carry 1t, which he did.
DIR. o. &C. Trace was called and took
the prisoner and put him through arr
examination as to his sanity. After
half an hour be came to the conclusion
that Eeknlan was perfectly sane at the
time of the shooting He had. however.
twice been struck down by the heat
previous 70 the affair
E. s. Smith, who was appointed at
tcrney for the prisoner, asked the ee,urf
to show the utmost mercy in sentenc-
Ing the prisoner. Attorney Rhodes. for
the state; asked that he be given as
light sentence as possible.
Judge Searle in sentencing Eckma,,
took the most careful pains in fixing
the sentence and said it was the most
pitia5le case that had ever come be-.
fore him, and, after studying 1t thor
oughly, he would sentence the prisoner
to life imprisonment at Saltwater. Eek
man was asked if he had anything to
say why sentence should not be passed
but he only shook his head
After the sentence was read. Eekuran
became nervous and shook like leaf.
After being taken out of the court
room he broke down and cried and It
Is not thought that he will be able to
stand the great strain. His wife and
children are grief stricken. Dan KIof
was Swede, So years old. Sheriff
Ryder will leave with his prisoner OIL
the first train so as no harm will come
to him. The Swedes who know Eek
man have no sympathy for him. but
nothing serious is looked for from
them