The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-11-12
Nystedt and Haakenson Learn That
- They Are to Be Accused
of Murder
The Former Tells the Police of His
Career Since Leaving the
Reform School,
Hope That the Highwaymens Vic
tim May Yet Be Identified
Is Revived.

Levi Nvstedt and Andrew Haakenson,
the men arrested by Detectives MorrisSey
and Stavo charged with highway robbery
and the murder of the unknown man found
dead In Prospect Park, Monday morning,
Oct 49, will not be arragned in municipal
court The evidence against them has
been taken directly before the grand jury
this afternoon. AS the case is especially
strong. it is likely that an indictment will
be returned against them soon charging
them with murder in the first degree.
Both men were in the sweatbox for
several hours this morning but no addi-
tional informa ton was elected. Nystedt
had learned that they We're being held on a
charge of murder. but the Information did
not seem to affect him in the least. He
maintained the same sullen impressive
bearing which has marked him since
rested and refused to add anything to his
former confession. He said that he had
told the truth about the matter and that
he left the man lying unconscious and sup
posed that he had recovered as did the
other victims.
When the officers found that nothing
more could be wrung from Nystedt, Haa-
henson. who is much more excitable in
nature. was brought into the room. He
had not yet learned that the man was
dead. and Chief of Police Waite was the
first to break the news. He received the
informatio coolly and said that he sup
posed the man had recovered. as he
thought, he had seen him on the street
several times since. He had nothing to
add TO the confession made the night he
was arrested.
While the police were careful to keep
the information that the first victim had
been killed from the prisoners. their eff
forts We're nullifed by one Of the attend
ants at the central police station, who
gave Nystedt a copy Of morning paper
infOrO3
held on a charge Of murder In the first
degree. He read the account but had no
comments to make.
Nystedt's EventfuI History.
While in the sweatboX this morning.
NNstedt gave the officers the details of
his cheCkered career. He was born in
Minnesota and is only 20 years of age.
In 1895 he was sentenced to the state re-
form school from Litchfield for stealing
honey. He paroled from The insti-
tuition in 1899 and Immediately broke. his
parole by leaving the state. He went to,
California and there embarked on a whal-
ing vessel spending several months in the
Arctic seas. He then, returned to land
and wandered over the country, being in
Indiana and all through the middle west
and northwest. He went to Valley City,
n. D.. about a year ago and then came
to Minneapolis, where he has spent most
Of his time since.
career since he met HaaI1erson a few
months ago. He is very reticent and the
police think that he has not told them
nearly much as he might. He re-
marked to one of the detectives that if
Haakenson had remained silent he would
never have told them thing about him
self.
Haakenson was also subjected to rigid
examination this morning but appeared to
have told the officers all he could and re-
fused to say anthing more about the crime.
He says that he was born in Norway and
that he is Is years Of age. He has spent
most Of his life in Osseo, Wis, where his
parents now reside. He has been in the
city nearly year and says that his GRIM
inal career began when he became &C
aintcd with Nystedt.
Identity of the Victim.
While the murdered man has never
been identified, there is possibility that
he may yet be. Nystedt says that the
man told him that he lived in Wiscon-
sin, and that he was a plumber by trade.
A match box, which bore an ADVERTISE
ment Of Tomahawk, Wis, firm, was
picked up yesterday at the scene Of the
murder and pictures Of the dead man will
be sent there for Identification. 1t is
thought that he either lived there or that
he was known at that place.
Coroner Williams is. not yet decided
as to whether he will hold an INQUEST over
the body. jury was sworn in q i viewed