Wednesday, January 24, 2018

On This Date in Minnesota History: January 24

January 24, 1916 - A tragedy that stirred every heart in Austin, Minn., occurred this afternoon when John Peterson went to the home of Mrs. Johanna Sorenson and shot her to death with a .38 caliber revolver, then turned the gun on himself with fatal results.


.38 caliber bullets1


There was no one in the house with them at the time and just what took place is not absolutely known, but the facts appear to be as follows:

Peterson had been paying his attentions to Mrs. Sorenson and it is generally believed that there was an understanding between them that they would marry someday. She had, it is believed, accepted a certificate of deposit and a deed for a house and lot from him, also numerous presents, including a set of furs.

Mrs. Makepeace, a neighbor, called on Mrs. Sorenson only a few minutes before the tragedy occurred and the couple was in the kitchen, he sitting at a table while she was stirring up a cake for her daughter’s birthday, which is tomorrow.

Mrs. Makepeace accompanied Mrs. Sorenson into the next room to look at a new plant, and noticed the expression on Mrs. Sorenson’s face, asked her if she was sick. Mrs. Sorenson said no, and asked her friend to remain, but Mrs. Makepeace said she couldn’t stay and returned home. It seemed to her that Mrs. Sorenson had decided not to accept Peterson’s further attentions.

Mrs. Makepeace had not been home for 20 minutes when she heard Mrs. Sorenson scream and saw her run out of her house, where she fell on the porch. Mrs. Johnson, another neighbor, also heard Mrs. Sorenson’s scream, and the two neighbors ran to her assistance. City Carrier Thad Thompson also happened along about that time and carried Mrs. Sorenson into the house, placing her on the couch, where she passed away without speaking a word before medical aid arrived.

In the parlor lay John Peterson in a pool of blood, breathing his last. From indications, Mrs. Sorenson was gathering up the presents he had given her and had gone to get some papers from the bureau drawer and he had followed her. It is thought that he had drawn the revolver to shoot and that she had tried to grapple with him. This was indicated by the bullet wound on his breast that passed under the skin and out through his arm. Mrs. Sorenson was shot through the right breast, the bullet passing through her body.  It is supposed that as soon as Mrs. Sorenson ran out of the room after being shot that Peterson threw himself on the bed and fired a bullet into his breast and the bullet was found on the bed.  The blood spot on the bed matched up with the blood stain on the back of his shirt where the bullet came through his body. This is the opinion of and general evidence as found by Dr. Pierson and Dr. Leck, who were called.

Mrs. Sorenson was the widow of John Sorenson, who dropped dead three years ago. He was a blacksmith of the firm Sorenson & Nelson of Austin. Peterson, who was about 45 years of age and a bridge carpenter on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway, had never been married.

The revolver was picked up from the floor where he had evidently dropped it as he staggered out of the bedroom into the parlor where he fell. There were three empty chambers and two loaded ones, indicating that three shots were fired.

Johanna Christina Margaret Skifter was born Sept. 6, 1873, in Jylland, Denmark. In 1894 she came to America with her mother and went to Grand Meadow where her father had located, he having preceded the family to this country to establish a home. In 1899 she was married to John Sorenson of Austin. The family had lived in Austin ever since. There are three children: Elgar, 16; Frances, 14; and Viola, 10. Mr. Sorenson died three years ago this coming April. He fell dead on the street when running to catch a rig to ride to his work. R. J. Skifter, the father of Mrs. Sorenson, still lives and resides in Austin. Mrs. Skifter died a year ago in October. There are two brothers, J. A. Skifter of Austin and C. R. Skifter of Grand Meadow, and four sisters living, Mrs. Ole Jacobson, Grand Meadow; Mrs. William Jensen and Mrs. J. F. Larson of Austin, and Mrs. H. L. Welkin of San Diego, Calif. The deceased was a member of the Lutheran church for years and also a member of the R. N. A. Society. Mrs. Sorenson was a quiet congenial woman, a kind neighbor and made friends of all her acquaintances. She was devoted to her home and her children, going out but little and keeping in mind her family first. The orphan children have been robbed of a good mother.

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While this is a horrifyingly sad story, for genealogists like me, this article/obit is a gold mine. Mrs. Sorenson’s maiden name, her birthdate, place of birth, sibling’s names and whereabouts, her children’s names and ages, immigration date, etc. It also mentions her husband’s name and possible date of death, along with her mother’s approximate death date. The Mower County Transcript-Republican article gives her first name (Johanna), while The Minneapolis Morning Tribune article simply refers to her as Mrs. John Sorenson.


Mower County Transcript-Republican; “Commits Murder Then Kills Self. John Peterson shoots and Kills Mrs. Johanna Sorenson Then Kills Self”; Austin, Minn.; Jan. 26, 1916; p. 1.

The Minneapolis Morning Tribune; “Man Shoots Woman and Self to Death. Dual Tragedy Follows Refusal of Widow to Wed Admirer.”; Jan. 25, 1916; p. 3.

1http://caldwellandcompany.net/jim%2038%20colt%20special.jpg
2http://www.lakesnwoods.com/images/Austin118.jpg
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If you are interested in finding out more about your family history in Minnesota, I specialize in researching  genealogical and historical records in Minn. and western Wis., including:
census records,  birth records,  death certificates, obits, grave site photos, ship passenger lists, marriage records and declarations of intent/naturalization records.  I will visit locations to research local history and county records, as well as take photos. Quick turnaround on MNHS records. Both short searches and family history reports available.

                                                         


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