The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1900-09-20
BERSERKER RACE.
Norwegian Murders Com
patriot He Suspected
of Slander.
SAID TO BE INSANE
Jansen Confesses His Crime
and Seems Glad It Is
Accomplished.

Andrew j. Sandin, tailor, ffifty-fiye
years old, of No 1893 Railroad avenue. was
murdered last night in his shop by John
Jansen, blacksmith, of No. ia Pine
street. Jansen fired three shote at Sandin.
Two took effect and one lodged in the
wall of the shop. Janusen Is a prisoner
at police headquarters, held without bail.
Sandin and Janusen were friends for
years. Jansen confesses the crime and
SHOWS no regret whatever. He seems to
be pleased with the result of his efforts to
rid himself of one, who, he believed, was
trying to place him in a bad light with
his friends in Norway.
Seven years ago Jansen fell from a
dredging barge he was employed on and
ne was nearly drowned. He was half
frozen when rescued and he has had
periods of mental responsibility since.
1t is thought he was suffering with
dementia last night when he murdered
Sandin. Jansen accused Sandin several
months ago of sending letters to his peo-
pie in Norway and telling them that he
was not doing right by those who were
dependent upon him. The two men quar-
relied and paired enemies. Until yester-
DAY afternon they had not spoken to each
other.
At o'clock yesterday afternoon Sandin
was at work in his shop, which is in the
front of the building He heard a con1mo-
tion IN front of the house and saw Jansen
waking up the stoop. He feared trouble
ana Went to the front door. Sandin order
ed Jansen from the house, saying:-
L don't want you around here and the
quicker you get out the better for you,
Jansen did not reply. Sandin,s loud
tones attracted the attention of Mrs. Mary
Ward, who lives over Sandin's shop. She
came to the head of the stairs and saw
the whole affair. She heard bitter names
called by both men and looked on in won
der because she knew that formerly the
men had been friends.
The men were close together Suddenly
Jansen drew a revolver and aiming at
Sandin point blank, fired three shots. One
entered the abdomen, one entered the tenn
pie and third lodged in the wall behind
Landin. The murdered man fell at the
second shot and died almost instantly.
Jansen left the house and started to walk
toward the ferry. Mrs. Ward followed
Jansen for two blocks. She met Patrolman
Vessels and told HIM of the shooting. He
arrested Jansen and brought the man to
Police Headquarters.
To, Chief of Police Murphy Jansen adj
nitted his guilt saying that he had it in''
for Landin for writing to his relatives.
Jansen is fifty-six years old. He board
ed at No 1A Pine street. For eight years
he worked as laborer on a United
States Government dredger. Tie was
afterward in the employ of the Interna-
tional Dredging Company of New York.
He has 500 in bank, and says ne gave up
work because he thought the money he
had saved would keep him as long as he
cared to live. People who know Jansen
say he was sober and industrious.
Sandin was a widower with two sons
and two daughters all grown up. He
was fifty-five years old. Sandin's chill
dren deny that their father did or said
anything to injure Jansen.