The Saint Paul globe., 1900-05-25
DECaTUR STREETS LONG MYSTERY
New Light Thrown on the Murder by Gustav
Wall, Who Says He Saw Martin P.
Erickson Right After He
Had Been Shot

he returned to st. Paul for short sea-
son. He met his old companions. passed
reluctantly through the streets near where
the crime was committed, and hearkened
moment to his conscience that still bade
him tell the whole story. But fear was
stronger than conscience or Judgment. and
he resolved to travel far away. hop,n.-
that great distance in a new country
would serve to eliminate the picture that
burned like fire on his brain He went
to the coast and took ship for Alaska IN
1897
Landing at Skaguay he tried 10 interest
himself in new employment and a change
OF surroundings But II was futile. There
was nothing in the new country that
would obliterate the scene in the butcher.
shop back in st. Paul After three
months he returned, and after a
short stay with his family, went again
into the West, travelling about the mining
camps of Montana and Idaho. At length
he secured lucrative employment in the
great Ben Lomond mine, at Marysvtlle.
Mont.
For short period, two years ago. he
says, he forgot about the matter 10
some extent. and was In his normal con-
dition. But the terror returned with IN
creased vigor, and thousand and one
times he made I'D his mind 10 tel tho
whole story. Twice he returned tn St
Paul for no other purpose, but his cour-
age failed him, and he returned to his
work without unburdening his mind
Ehen he concluded to write a letter to
the authorities, but later decided he would
wait until he could summon sufficient
courage to tell his story without fear,
and TO face the accused.
DREADED TO TELL ALL.
Two weeks ago he injured his hand
while at work IN the mine operating a
drill The injury compelled him to cease
work until the hurt healed, and he came
to st. Paul to visit his family. With
his return to this city his conscience
again became loud In its demand for sat
isfaction, and the most horrible dreams
awakened him at all hours Of the night.
he became haggard and feverish and
his wife became alarmed at his condi-
ton. At length, recognizing that his
secret was undermining his health and
that his duty to his family was greater
than any other consideration, he made
relate his story. This is what he SAYS
happened yesterday:
1T got so I could not stand It anv
longer, so this morning I went first to
see John Bodin, the druggist. at Seventh
and Pine streets. 1 told him about It,
and he said he would go and see the gov
ernor. We went to the capitol about II
o'clock this morning and was there sons
time before we could see him. When he
found out what It was he told me they
would send for me in the afternoon and
for me to be at home at O'Clock. No
body can tell what / have suffered from
keeping this to myself all this time. Il
was was more than any man could
stand.
SUFFERED UNTOLD TORTCREs.
'I have seen this thing all over again
IN my dreams every night for six years,
and I could not get my sleep. 1 feel
better since 1 told about it, and all I
want now is to get back to my work in
Montana, I don't want to have any
thing more to say about the case, and
have done my duty"
The first intimation received at the
sheriffs Office Of the case was at noon,
when Gov Lind's messenger called with
word from the governor that he would
like TO see Sheriff Wagener at the execu-
tive office Sheriff Wagner had gone to
st. Cloud with prisoner, and the mes
senger was referred to Chief Deputy
Robert who was in charge OF the Of
fee. In company with Assistant County
Attorney Zollman, Deputy Robert visited
the governors Office al 2 o'clock In the
afternoon.
ERICKSON IN CUSTODY
The governor told them substantially
what had been told him by Wall and
after taking the necessary preliminary
steps they went to Edward Erickson's
butcher shop. on Decatur street, and
placed him under arrest. Deputy Robert
said to him:
ED, the county attorney wants to see
you Come along with me down town"
Il can't go now-I can't leave the
shop" said Erickson.
We'll. It's important, and he can't
wait. You had better come along with
me-
Erickson complied in an Indifferent
manner and accompanied the deputy on
the car. They walked up Cedar street.
and at the walk leading to the frons
door of the Jail Deputy Robert took a
half Nelson hold on his prisoner and
said:
Erickson. I've got to put you in jail.
1t is the old case against you UP again.
and I've got to put you where you will
not be disturbed for few days"
Erickson turned pale as a ghost. fall
/ tered in his steps and after several at
tempts succeeded IN swallowing
] lump in his throat and stammered out:
] Great God. l thought that old thing
was all settled and would never come up
any more. But II is all right, I'll go
( along with you"
/ Once In the jail Erickson recovered
4 composure somewhat and asked tha
/ jailer to send for Stan Donnelly, the at