The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-02-25
DAHLSTROM, THE PREACHER
FOLLOWED BY AN ANGRY,
THREATENING MOB
CONFESSED TO RUNNING A Girl
ALLEGED MISSIONARY SPOKE Tf
LARGE AUDIENCE IN
FIRST WARD
SPOKE OF DIVINE FORGIVENESS
Although He Had sinned He Mafn-ti
tanned That Better Men Had
Done Decentralization 4
in First Ward

tho rope?"
Ihese We're the threats that went I'D
from a great many of the nearly 500 men
women and children who followed Albert
Dahlstrom, an alleged Mormon mission
dry' from the hall on Payne avenue,
near Cook street, to the street car YES
terday afternoon Even the little bovs in
the crowd amused themselves by throw
ing snow balls at him. Dahstrom, how
ever can consider himself very lucky
that the crowd didn't start something''
Tor he had just talked to about 500 neo-
PIE IN the hall for over two hours. and
had made a public confession that did
rum slXteen-year-old Annie Hagstrand.
lie talked in Swedish and had many ex-
cuses to offer to the curious audience.
one Of them being that David Of olden
times had done worse things than he did
and God had forgiven him." Dahlstrom
also animated that he had no doubt
oVerstepped himself, but he knew that
sorry.
The appearance of Dahlstrom in the
FIRST ward again came as a surprise to
many, and, when he arrived at the han
Yesterday afternoon, the hall was pack
ed to suffocatiOn, while about 500 peopIe
were clamoring at the door for admit
lance. All seemed to want to get a
a sensation in the First ward during the
last six months. But, in spite Of all the
threats that have been made bv the In
dlgnant citizens, Dahlstrom gathered I'D
enough courage to return from Chicago
whittier he went about six weeks ago
and he is now living on the West side.
Dahlstrom, it will be remembered. came
to st. Paul last July, and one fine day
the residents of the First ward were sur
prlsed to find new minister in their
midst. He attracted unusual attention
ana, strange to say, number of the
FIRST Warders were baptized by him
His teachings were entirely different
from UNCONVENTIONAL churches, and. ac-
cording to him, the other churches were
all wrong.
RUINED A YOUNG GIRL.
Among those who went to hear him
was the little Hagstrom girl, who was
at that time only fifteen years old.
everything went well for DahIstrom.
and he had the First ward all stirred I'D
with his preaching" This was nor 70
last always, for one day little Annie
Hagstrand confessed that Dahlstrom had
taken improper liberties with her. This
put the First ward on fire, and the mat
ter was discussed by every one on the
street, In the stores and in the homes.
Suddenly Dahlstrom mysteriousIv dis
appeared, and no one seemed to know
where he had gone until rumor reached
the East side that he had committed
suicide in Chicago. Meanwhile Alfred
Bowman, living at 544 Laurel avenue.
was appointed guardian of the girl, who
is an orphan, and she is at present living
at Mr.. Bowmans home.
No one thought that Dahlstram wOuid
care to come back to st. Paul again. and
II was no small surprise to the residents
OF the East side when it was rumored
that DahlstrOm had returned. and had
held a secret meeting with members Of
his flock IL hall on Payne avenue last
tuesday evening. 1t was too strange TO
believe, but those who seemed to know
insisted that it was so, and said further
that ne would appear at a pubic meet
ing yesterday afternoon and make a
public confession. The result was as
stated above, that almost 1900 people
turned out to see and hear him yester-
day, more for curiosity than anything
else. AS early as 1:30 the people began
to arrive, and by 8 o'clock the hail was
packed.
Would he appear?" This seemed to be
the one question in the minds OF those
present.
DAHLSTROM FACES THE CROWD.
Suddenly there was a commOtion at the
rear door, and Dahlstrom looking very
pale, stood before the audience. almost
before any one realized what had haU-
pened. He left by the same door, and it
was then that the remarks, quoted In the
first sentence, were hurled at him from
the crowd
1t is understood that a number of the
prominent business men of Payne avenue
held a secret meeting the other night to
consider what they had better do in re-
gard to Dahlstrom. Many of the people
are very indignant and it Is very likely
that if Dahlstrom continues to appear in
the First ward there will be trouble.
Rumor also has it that Dahlstrom's wife
returned to st. Paul with him, but. on
becoming acquainted with the facts. i'm
mediately returned to Chicago
Dahlstrom's victim, it is understood.
will be cared for by his friends.