The Bismarck tribune., 1923-10-20
ONE DIES IN
HELPING WIFE,
POSSEMAN SHOT
Edward Larson Third Victim
of Tragedy, Had Killed
Neighbor at Alexandria
AN ALL NIGHT VIGIL
Posse Summoned Surrounded
Bungalow, Finally Burned
and Slayer Found Dead
AN ALL NIGHT VIGIL

Alexandria, Minn., Oct. 2o-Ed-
ward Larson, 3s, slayer Of Jacob Ley
was shot to death by posse and MS
body partly burned when his bunsa-
low was fired in an effort to dr'Se
him from cover, possemen 1oun'
.ar,v today when they examined the
smoking ruins of the house
william Ransden, member OF the
posse. also is dead us iesu ~
the series of tragic events WHY"
had their inception last nigh. WIZ.
Iarson shot Ley after the latter hao
.ttemnted to intercede for Mrs. Lar
so,, and her two sons who had been
ar;ven from their homes by the nus
h5na at the point Of gun. hehs-
den was killed accidently during d"
exchange of shots between the posse
and Larson.
Larson had separated himself from
the attacking party of deputy sherins
that had surrounded the Larson
home where the slayer had barri-
caded himself and a bullet struch
him in the thigh and ranged up
wards. He died later absolving MS
companions Of blame.
All Night Seige.
Discovery Of Larson's death 1oi-
lowed an all-night seige during wnicn
Tho nossemen under the direction OF
sheriff Emil Lundeen of Alexandria
sought to dislodge him by rifle nre
and by pouring ammonia into the
house. One member OF the posse
Gained entrance to room adjoining,
that in which Larson had barricaded
himself and spread about two 4ai-
Ions of ammonia about the floor. Ihe
ammonia failed, however, to have any
effect on Larson and the posse dl-
yided it into two sections and De,
gan to pour steady stream OF leaa
into the building to which Larson
steadily replied. 1t was during this
exchange of shots that Ransden was
fatally wounded, apparently by
bullet from an opposite section OF
the posse.
Slayer Keeps Up Fire
While the posse held consulta-
tion Larson kept up an intermlttent
fire and the sheriff's party decided to
fire the house. This was done AT
6:3O o'clock and shortly after the
building was burned and Larsons
j partly burned body with one leg al
most shot away was found IN the
ruins. officials believe that he dled
before the fire was started.
In the ruins of the bungalow two
rifles, a shotgun and several revoi-
vers. also were found. 1t was ap-
parent possemers said that Larson haA
n large supply of ammunition on
hand but this was destroyed in the
fire.
Had Been Drinking.
Before the shooting of Ley, who
Vas so years old, Larson was said to
have been drinking heavily and had
ordered his wife and son out of the
house. Mrs. Larson and the boy
went across the street to the Ley
home for protection. Ley attempted
then to act as q peacemaker ana
started for the Larson home. AS he
stepped across the threshold Larson
opened fire, two bullets taking ef-
feet in Ley's neck. The wounded
man staggered back across the street
and died on his own doorstsp with
his wife and Mrs. Larson standing
over him attempting to administer
aid.
Sheriff Lundeen immediately depu-
tized a posse composed principally
3 Of members of the local National
Guard company and surrounded the
Larson hdme where the slayer sought
refuge in his bed room.