The Ward County independent., 1921-12-22
"DUTCH ALFRED" HAUENSTElN
MAY HAVE BEEN MURDERED

Alfred Hauenstein, known as Dutch
Alfred" was found dead in the cellar
of an empty shack in "Coon Town,
near Fourth Ave. and Fourth st. S.
w. at 6:15 o'clock Wednesday even
ing. There was bullet wound from
an old .38 five shot Suicide gum, thru
his head and the gun was still clasped
in his hand. He had evidently been
dead for day or two. He either shot
himself or was shot from close quar-
ters as his face was powder blackened.
When D. w. Cole, colored, who was
preparing to move into the shack went
to look the house over, he discovered
the remains in the basement, he re-
ported to Chief of Police Larry Byrne.
Hauenstein had been living at Coles
joint for several weeks. He had
been cooking for a band of negroes
who made headquarters at Coles joint
and about two weeks ago was ar
rested on complaint of several negroes
who declared that Hauenstein had poi
soned them by placing poison in their
sugar. Hauenstein was placed in the
city Jail, but after remaining there
for several days, Judge Lynch decided
to let him go, as no further evidence
had been produced concerning the poi
son in the sugar.
Hauenstein was interviewed by an
Independent representative at the city
Jail and he stated that he did not
poison the darkies. He said they
did get sick, but it must have been
from improperly cooked food, but that
he did not poison them as he had
no reason for wanting them out of the
way:
When Judge Lynch released Hauen-
stein, he was told that Hauenstein had
given mulatto woman at Coles place
all of his money, about $4,000. They
had kept up correspondence and
Hauenstein says the woman promised
to marry him. Hauenstein was ad-
vised to go back to Coles place as
that was where he had left all his
money, and see if the woman would
take care of him. Hauenstein went
back to the Cole joint and remained
for several days.
Coroner Pence visited the shack
where the body was found. It looks
very much like a case of suicide, tho
the case is being Investigated as
Hauenstein said while in Jail that
the negroes threatened to do him
harm.
Hauenstein was about 55 years of
age and was of German descent. So
far as is known, he was unmarried.
He fiIed on q homestead in Prescott
township, four miles southeast OF
Glenburn about 20 years ago and re-
mained there until about three years
ago. He was regarded as an indus
trious farmer. He lived alone all that
time and was very eccentric and the
neiehbors found him hard to get
along with.
The remains have been taken to
Rowan's morRue and Chief Byrne is
telephonine the old neighbors Of the
deceased 1T Glenburn to ascertain the
whereabouts of any relatives:
A grip belonging to Hauensteln nad
been left at the city jail by him Tor
safe keeping. In it are number OF
pictures taken in the Minnesota woods
where he spent many winters. Inere
is clothing and several letters, lncluo-
ing one written by brother, Henry.
who lives in Akron, O. His broher
will be notified. ..u
Hauenstein told Judge Lynch he still
owned his Glenburn farm on when
there is q mortgage Of $25OO.OO. ne ne
said he could have sold it for $45OO.0O
one time, but was advised that the
price was too cheap. 4,:-,.
The officers are inclined to think
that Hauenstein met with foul play
and are investigating on that theory.
After he was let out of the city Jal!
On Dec. 13. he returned to the colored
shack run by Mrs. Cole and her son,
D.T. Cole. and was soon back in the
c;tv iail. informing the police that a
whole bunch of the colored folks,
jumped on him and tried to drive nun
out. One Of them cut his thumb
with knife, he says. HIS nand was
tied up. He sat around the city ian
for long time and informed the police
that he was afraid to 60 back to the
Cole shack on account Of threats that
hsd been made. Officer Bakeman sald
he had only three cents in his pocket
and felt that he was compelled to 90
where he might get his board. Inc
"6;cers told him he might return to
the city jail il it became too NOT 1or
The officers have grave doubts that
he committed suicide and rather be-
ieve that he was murdered. When
found, the gun was in his right hand
which was doubled under his body.
lie had been shot in the right temple.
IL he was standing when he shot him
self. m officers say the gun would have
failen out Of his hand. Il he was "
ing down when he shot himself, he
could not possibly have had his arm
in that position. His murderer could
have lured him into the basement and
kilied him at close range, then place
the gun in his hand afterwards.
Hauenstein was not known to have 9
49, ..S !. 3ao,. t,o lo%k tho iai1- ha did