The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1917-11-22
MURDER AND SUICIDE
Halv0r HalvOrson Shot to Death by
Martin Seem of Minneapolis,
Who Takes Own Life.
RevOlvers and Letter Found on Body
of Seem Indicate That Deed
Had Been Premeditated.

A double tragedy occurred two
miles north of Milaca on Friday night,
at about o'clock, when Martin j..
Seem of Minneapolis shot and killed
his brother in-law, Halvor O. Halvor-
son and then committed suicide. The
story of the tragedy is as follows:
Seem arrived in Milaca from Mime
apolis on Wednesday night of last
week, stating that he desired to pur-
chase a 40 or 80-acre farm, and on
Thursday and Friday four land agents
took him into the surrounding terri
tory and showed him several tracts
which they had for sale. However he
made no selection.
Seems brother, whose name is John
son, and who also lives near the Page
road, accompanied him on his ostensi-
bic search for land on Friday. On
the way back Johnson alighted from
the auto at his farm at about 4:30
p. M, and Seem stated that he would
proceed and visit his brother-in-law,
Halvor Halvorson.
He arrived at Halvorson's, ate sup
per with his brother-in-laW and sister
and chatted with his sister while Mr..
Halvorson attended to his evening
chores. Then Mr.. Halvorson filled two
pals with milk and remarked that he
was going out to feed the calves. Seem
accompanied him and held the lantern.
* Upon the way back and when near
the house, Seem pulled a revolver and
fired three shots into Mr.. Halvorson,
killing him instantly Two of the
bullets entered his head. Mrs. Halvor-
son ran out of the house and, seeing
what had taken place, fastened in the
direction of a neighbours home
In the meantime Seem ran into a
cornfeld a few rods distant from the
farm house and shot himself.
Neighbors, notified by Mrs. Halvor-
son, ran to the scene Of the tragedy
and summoned County Attorney N.Y.
ron, Marshal Schmitz and DR.. Olson.
When they arrived Seem was still
breathing but he expired within a few
minutes after their arrival He had
placed the lighted lantern on the
ground and beside it his hat before he
fired the shot which deprived him of
life.
County Attorney Myron, seeing
plainly that an inquest was unneces-
sary, in the absence of Coroner Sven
nes suggested that the two bodies be
..siried into the house and assisted
in removing them from where they
had fallen. Coroner Swennes, who
arrived later from Wahkon, conceded
with Mr.. Myron's action.
Two revolvers were found upon the
body of Seem as was also a letter ad-
dressed to Mrs. H. Halvorson. From
this letter it may be implied that
Seem had anticipated trouble of some
sort and probably had gone to Milaca
purposely to kill Mr.. Halvorson in
stead of to buy land. The letter is
hereunder reproduced:
Dear Friends: If anything should
happen to me will you please do what
you can for Hilda Ness. 1t will be
pretty hard for her if she needs help.
Yours truly, Martin Seem.
SEEMS relatives, upon being closely
questioned by the county attorney, all
told the same story-that there had
been no trouble in the family and
hey were unable to account for the
actions of the man.
The remains Of Halvor Halvorson
were shipped to the southern part of
the state on Monday for burial and the
body of Seem to Minneapolis.
Mr.. Halvorson's neighbors speak of
him in high terms, saying he was an
honest, industrious man who attended
strictly to his own affairs and was al
ways ready to lend helping hand
to those recurring his assistance.