Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-05-30
SWEDISH CITIZENS
TO AID WITH FUNDS
Raise Money to Help Push Search
for the Murderer of Ada
Swanson.
OFFICERS SPEAK OF THE CASE


A crowd OF more than 500 people
filled the Swedish Auditorium.
Sixteenth and Chicago streets. FRI
day night. at mass meeting called
for the purpose of formulating a
plan by which the citizens of Omaha
may aid in the effort to apprehend
the murderer OF Ada Swanson. do
nestle.
p. l. Edauist. Swedish vice consul, pre-
sided at the meeting and first called for
a few remarks from Acting chief ~ Po-
lice Michael Dempsey.
This Is one OF the worst cases with
which have had to deal in my thirty
years connection with the force" said
Dempsey mot only the details OF the
crime. but the fact that the bits Of evi-
dsnce We have 20 far been able TO get
seem to have led 90 nothing. What we
want and need Il for you peotTe - help
us by giving any bit of information you
may possibly have CLEANED from yodr se-
ouaintances. or may get. and I promise
sou that all of the men will work night
and day with the hope OF iailins the
murderer"
MaGuey ON Alert.
County Attorney Magney spoke slons
the same line. asserting that his office
would do It's utmost to assist the police
in every way and expressed his eonvic-
tion that the force was working diligently
and hard.
mo one will go farther or do more
than Michael Dempsey In this affai-. and
as for myself nothing. since have been
county attorney. would give me greater
qualification than to be possessed II the
evidence 20 convict the guilty pegSon. Il
IL exceedingly difficult for those who
hunt down criminals in n case like this
TO get a start. and as their labor is for
tho public benefit the people should help
IN every way possible
County Offers Reward.
County Commissioner FRANK Best said
the county has decided TO offer a reward
Of 500 for the arrest and conviction OF
she murderer. Commissioner Best COM
plimented the police and urged the sup
port Of tho public TO their efforts.
a. citizen and a taxpayer I resent
any implication made against the police
IN their work on this case" Powerfully
announced w. w. Merritt, who owrs the
property adjoining that on which the
Swanson girl was killed
Il didn't know tho police officials until
week ago, and since then / have been
ciosely IN touch with them on this
affair. wish to testify TO their ~
ficiency and gentlemaniy conduct, and
am with them In any way possible 60
unrayel this mystery"
Ministers OF the various Swedish
churches spoke In similar vein. COM
plimentary to the department. ana
asking the Swedish people 10 aid its
members. Congressman I,obeck and
many OF thoae IN tho crowd expressed
their wish 70 help financially and other
wises An expression OF coincidence was
drafted 10 be presented the family and
a committee Of ten selected, with Consul
Edquist as ex-officio member. to secure
a fund TO be used by the committee az
they see proper. Any balance win be
returned the donors.
Police seek No Reward.
At this 1uncture Captain Dempsey
asked for a word and when given the
privilege said; II speak for the police
department We want no reward for
our work and hope that any money thar
may be offered viii be given those who
dlvulso the information that wall lead
10 the capture Of the criminal Demp-
eey's remark was greeted with tre-
mendoua applause.
The committee chosen 10 collect the
money comprises Eivin T. johnson.
Arthur Palmer. John Larson. treasurer;
Nela A. Lnndgren. N. q. Peterson. John
r. Bloom. Albert Peterson. T. q. North
wall. N. T. Thorson and Paul Weemer
Mr.. Larson announces that previous 20
the appointment Of the committee he hsd
secured pledges 10 the sum OF sil2. II
was also approved by the meeting that
= telegram be sent Governor Aorehead
asking that n reward be offered.
The affair was simply a meeting OF
determined citizens anxious TO go the
limit IN every respect that the perpe-
traitor OF the brutal murder might suffer
the desserts coming him. Far from
being an Indignation" meeting TO pro-
test against the efforts OF the police. It
was more a demonstration that the
people we're with the force In their
work Consul Edquist made this point
plain In his brief address, commencing
the action OF the police
Besides Acting Chief Dempsey. Cap
tain Henry Hoitfeldt. Sergeant Samuel
soi and several representatives OF the
detective department were present and
were highly graufied at the attitude
expressed. Relatives OF the Swanson girl
attended for q short period.