Resident of Northfield, Minnesota who was walking up to the First National Bank on the afternoon of his death. He encountered a member of the James-Younger gang who was standing guard outside the bank while 3 other members of the gang were inside robbing it. Told to get off the sidewalk by the gang, he failed to comply because this Swedish immigrant did not speak English. Shot and killed by the gang due to his apparent slowness, he caused the alarm to be raised, rallying the townspeople to drive off the gang before the robbery could be completed. His actions along with Joseph Heywood (see separate entry) inside the bank were directly responsible for the failed robbery and the killing and capture of most of the gang members, thus ending the reign of one of the most notorious band of outlaws in the 1870's western United States.
Resident of Northfield, Minnesota who was walking up to the First National Bank on the afternoon of his death. He encountered a member of the James-Younger gang who was standing guard outside the bank while 3 other members of the gang were inside robbing it. Told to get off the sidewalk by the gang, he failed to comply because this Swedish immigrant did not speak English. Shot and killed by the gang due to his apparent slowness, he caused the alarm to be raised, rallying the townspeople to drive off the gang before the robbery could be completed. His actions along with Joseph Heywood (see separate entry) inside the bank were directly responsible for the failed robbery and the killing and capture of most of the gang members, thus ending the reign of one of the most notorious band of outlaws in the 1870's western United States.
Bio by: Bill Sonsin
Inscription
A SWEDISH IMMIGRANT SHOT BY ROBBERS
Family Members
Advertisement
