The Minneapolis journal., 1902-09-26
MYSTERY OF 4 MARRIAGE
;!
A Certain Olaf Oleson Of Minneapo-
lis Treats Serious Charges From
Ohio With Indifference.

The mystery which surrounds the case
of Olaf E. Oleson, an engineer in the en-
ploy of the Twin City Rapid Transit COM
pany, who is said to have married Miss
Blanche E. Crane in this city, hinges upon
the identity Of the man who was married
by Rev. M. D. Shutter at his residence
Sept. 8. If it proves that the men who
bore the same name are Identical, then
Oleson already has a wife and six children
in Toledo, Ohio. But if, on the other hand,
it develops that it was simply a case Of
mistaken identity. then Mr.. Oleson has
sip.
The story emanated from dispatches re-
ceived from Toledo, Ohio, stating that
Olaf E. Oleson, who left that city a few
weeks ago to accept a position with the
Rapid Transit company of minneapolis
had been married to Miss Crane here on
Sept. 8, and that he had telegraphed his
former wife that he had married the wom-
an because she had threatened to kill him
If he refused. The telegram also stated
that the Oleson referred to was holding
position chief engineer Of the Twin
City Rapid Transit company.
MIR. Oleson is employed as chief engineer
Tor the transit company and resides at
| the Westminster hotel, 9O3 Third avenue
S. He has been living there with his
wife since August %, and says that the
Toledo story is mistake He says that
she will return soon as the house which
he IS having renovated is ready for occu-
pancy. He treats the whole case as a light
| matter and maintains that he Is not guilty
| of bigamy.
The story from Toledo is, in substance,
as follows:
A few weeks ago Olaf Edward Oleson,
| chief engineer Of the traction companv's
| power house, resigned his position, bade
his wife and children good bye. telling ii:s
/ wife that he had secured better position
4 IN M1nnea polls and that he would send for
her Nothing more was heard from him
until the news of his marriage to Miss
Blanche e. Crane Of Toledo reached this
! city Then Mrs. Oleson called up her
husband by long distance telephone and he
| told her that Miss Crane had threatened
I his life If he refused to marry her. and tn
save his life he had done so.
| Rev. MIR. Shutter, who performed a
marriage ceremony for Olaf E. Oleson
| and Blanche Elizabeth Crane at his resi-
dence on Sept. 8, was seen by a reporter
ior o urn to-day and said that
| the ceremony had been performed The
| license had been issued in Washington
county and was made out in such form
that the ceremony might be performed in
any minnesota county. Mr.. Oleson and
MISS Crane appeared unattended The
ceremony was performed and since that
| tlnne Mr Shutter has seen neither of them,
| lie says that he is able to identify the
| man. but has not seen Mr.. Oleson of the
transit company and, therefore. is nnahIe
to say If he is the man.
MI Oleson maintains that the dispatcb
is a mistake and that he has no other wifa
than the one who has been living with him
mere. Although the story has had public
1ty both here and in Toledo. he continues
his work and appears to show no annre.
| hension. app
Dispatches from Toledo to-day saw that
the affair has created a great uproar there
ana that last evening the home of the
known persons. N'