The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-12-03
POISON THEORY ADVANCED IN GIRLS DEATH
Coroner Plans Autopsy on
Body of Clara Olson
Lover Defended.

PAIRIE DU CHEN, Wis, Dec.
3.-Inability of DR.. c. II. Bunting,
State pathologist, to leave Madison.
today caused a hurried change in
plans to perform an autopsy on the
body of Clara Olson, taken from a
shallow grave thirty-five miles from
here yesterday. The body of Miss
olson was found after she had been
missing since Sept. 10.
DIR. Bunting notified local authori-
ties this morning that Madison
business prevented his leaving there.
Immediately officials here announced
that they would attempt to proceed
with the autopsy at o'clock this
afternoon, by employing local
physicians.
The finding Of the girls body yes
terday morning on Battle Ridge, near
Rising Sun. thirty-fve miles from
here, climaxed an extended search
Of the countryside by hundreds Of
persons.
She left her home in the early
morning OF Sept 10, wearing a new
dress, which she hoped would be a
wedding gown. but which proved
instead a shroud.
Already there is a warrant charg
ing Erdman Olson. the girls 18-yeac
old sweetheart, with the murder
There is no relationship between the
two. Erdman is alleged to have
taken Clara away from her fathers
farm the night she left.
Young Olson has been missing
since Sept. 81, when he left Gale
College. at Galesburg. Wis. where he
was a senior. He dropped from sight
shortly after Christ Olson, the girls
father. visited the school and de.
manded TO know the whereabouts OF
his daughter. He left a letter to his
father which said you'll never see
me again unless 1t is in a coffin"
Warrant for Murder
Last Monday the father swore out
warrant charging Erdman with
the murder despite the fact that It
was not known at this time that the
girl was dead.
This warrant impelled the Ameri-
can Legion 70 take action. and yes
terjlay morning a great posse com
posed OF Legion men from thirteen
posts In this section Of Wisconsin
started search for the body. which
they felt was hidden away some
where among the rocks and deep ra-
vines of this country.
Shortly before noon, Charles Boun.
n 70 lf
men. stumbled over the shallow
grave Of the girl. Battle Ridge
where the body was found. Is only
n quarter Of a mile from Erdman's
home. At night one may stand on
its top among the tall oaks and see
the lights OF the boys home.
Boun took a stick and prodded the
spot.
THE search is over" he called
to his companions.
Soon other posseren came up.
to gather around the sunken spot
and tell each other In awed whis-
pers that Christ Olson's dream Wis
ion has come true"
Clara's father. when he obtained
seen Clara. She's dead. She's in
grave, buried on her face. up near
Rising Sun"
Battle Ridge is only three miles
from Rising Sun.
Buried Face Downward
Subsequent Developments proved
the body to be buried face down
ward.
Erdman's father today maintained
that his son is innocent.
I'm not saying this because it's
the expected thing to say. but be
cause I'm convinced of it," he said
as he reiterated over and over that
his son knows nothing Of the muir
der.
Folks. I'll tell you. you Just can't
tell me that boy could kill that girl
and come home from up there on
the hill and tune in a radio and look
at a mail order catalog before going
sound asleep And that's what he
did on that night"
Meantime sentiment is divided
COiilN VI NllS natives SAiil SINllNAllS
behind Erdman. Others are out
spoken in their condemnation. Per
haps the spot of Battle Ridge comes
in for more censure than does even
Erdman.
IT tell you that's a bad place"
one man said. II know one time,
was about forty years ago, l think.
man took two horses up there and
tied 'em to a tree, and they starved
right there, almost on the spot where
that grave is now" Other stories re-
garding the hill were plentiful.
Much discussion centers around a
small automobile in which Erdman
is alleged to have taken Clara away
from her home on the night of her
disappearance. The automobile, now
in the sheriff's custody, is reported
to bear a large dark brown stain on
one door.
Sheriff Harry Sherwood. in charge
Of the investigation. left here early
today for Dwight, H., where he will
attempt to identify a suspect held
there in the belief he is young Olson.
1t is believed. however, according
to reports reaching here, that the
Dwight suspect is not Olson.