The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1910-02-25
WASJENSEN MURDERED?
Mystery Surrounding the Case
of the Man Found Dead
in Antoine Valley.
SUSPICIOUS OF FOUL PLAY
The Neighborhood Worked Up to
a High State of Excitement
Over the Peculiar Case.

Last week this paper published an
account of the sudden death of j.
Magnus Jensen, u settler over ear
Antoine valley. Tne ptrti ;ullrs as
published were the first reports of the
death that reached this place, and it
was supposed, as the story was told,
that death was the result of natural
causes. 1t now looks as though an
other grewsome tragedy had been
added to the long list of crimes that
have blotted the history Of Okanogan
county, for neighbors insist that ac.
cording to their belief IL murder has
been committed, and so firm are they
in that belief that an affidavit to that
effect has been made.
The first intimation that people in
Oroville had that the death of Jensen
was otherwise than from natural
causes was last Saturday, when dele
cation of residents of the neigh bor-
hood where the death occurred came
to town in order to get into commun-
ication with the coroner and sheriff.
They reported that all indications point
ed to violent death. There was a large
confusion on the forehead of the dead
man, discolorations and scratches
about the throat, as though he had
been choked after being struck with
some blunt weapon, and his wrists
were lacerated, the front of his coat
being bloody where the hands had
been crossed on his heart. The COR
oner and sheriff were notified and both.
stated that they would visit the prem
ises Sunday, hold an inquest and ex-
anime into the case.
The officers failed to appear on the
date fixed and Wednesday Mrs. Victor
Lonholdt and Frank Steiner came to
Oroville to ascertain the reason of de-
lay, and make another effort to induce
the officials to act in the premises.
Mr.. Steiner stated that the body had
been taken to the home of Mr.. Lon
holdt, and in order to keep it from de-
composing it was placed upon the roof
of shed, exposed to the freezing
weather. Neighbors watched every
night, but the labor was becoming on
erous and those interested in having
an investigation made were becoming
weary of waiting the pleasure of the
officials. Both Mr. Steiner and Mrs.
Lonholdt were outspoken in declaring
the case to be one of -blooded mur-
der, sentiment entertained by al
most the entire neighborhood They
even intimated that the finger of sus-
picion pointed to certain parties, but
as Surmise is not evidence, the guilt
cannot be fixed beyond a doubt unless
stronger evidence than is at present
in the possession of the public is Sc
cured.
The case certainly looked mysterious
from the first. While Jensen may
have had the consumption, the disease
had not mace sufficient progress to
weaken him to such extent that any
slight exertion was liable to cause
death. Then the fact that he was fully
dressed, even having his gloves on
when found, was very extraordinary.
This, added to the presence of bruises
and abrasions upon the person of the
dead man, would naturally lead to the
suspicion of foul play
Just before going to press it Is
learned that Coroner Fryer visited the
premises where Jensen was found
dead and held an inquest Thursday,
but the result of the investigation
could not be obtained.