WAUPACA COUNTY REPUBLICAN

October 4, 1889

 

GUNDER GUNDERSON

 

Sheriff Williams has Him in the Toils.

 

Taken in Washington Territory on a Requisition.

 

Obtaining Goods Under False Pretenses the Charge.

 

            A young Norwegian who was supposed to be well-to-do and honest last year ran in debt to a good many parties in this city, among whom were J.D. Koontz for machinery, A.R. Lea clothing, C. Larson clothing, and trade in small and large sums most everywhere.  He sold everything about a year ago and left this part of the country and all his debts behind.  Sheriff Williams learning that the fellow was in Seattle, Washington T’y., told the parties who were beaten by him and the proper papers were made out and last week Saturday Mr. Williams placed Gunderson under arrest on his claim, about forty miles from Tacoma.  He telegraphed to his brother Ed, the deputy sheriff, that he would start immediately and wanted him to meet them on the road.  Ed Williams took the Monday morning train expecting to meet them at Fargo or Bismark, Dakota.  The skipper of many bills will be arraigned and given a chance to pay his debts and costs or go over the road.

            LATER – The Williams brothers returned with their prisoner Wednesday morning, when they got out of the train on the bare ground Gunder made a dash for liberty remarking to the sheriff that he didn’t purpose to go to the Waupaca jail.  Williams fired a pop in the air but that did no good and he ran after the fellow and captured him in a few rods chase.  Then Gunderson seemed to realize for the first time what the results would be and he broke down and cried like a baby.  Mr. Williams briefly related to a REPUBLICAN reporter the circumstances of his trip.

            “I got my requisition papers from Gov. Hoard and started for the west Sept. 16.  When after several days travel arrived at Olympia, Washington Territory, and found the Governor, who immediately gave me the proper papers after seeing the parchment sighed by W.D. Hoard of the Badger state.  From letters which had been going to “G.S. Grimsrude”, Tacoma, I made up my mind I would shadow said name, so went to Tacoma and hung around the post office three days until finally a fellow called for mail for Grimsrude.  Took dinner at the same hotel with the man who got the mail and learned from him that the real man the mail was for lived on a woods claim about forty miles from Tacoma and went by the name of “Charley Severson”.  Made up my mind a fellow with so many aliases must be the man.  The deputy sheriff of Tacoma went with me to the Ohop Valley.  We were looking land, “of course” and when we got within four miles of where he was located, hired two cowboys to pilot us over a mountain to Gunderson’s claim where he was holding it down under the squatter’s right. His wife and child living with him.  The coyboys went to his shanty and called him out.  Fearing he might recognize me I got behind a large tree.  Gunderson – Grimsrude – Severson had his Winchester rifle in his hands as he came out.  The party talked timber and claim to him until they got near where I was, then the deputy sheriff knocked the gun out of his hands and I soon had them fastened behind him and explained to him that he was wanted in Waupaca, his old home.  Mrs. Gunderson seemed very much affected at first but soon came to and told her husband she could look after herself in his absence.  He spoke to his wife in Norwegian, saying they would “never get him back to Waupaca” but he forgot – I answered back in the same tongue, that we would see about that.  I made up my mind that if he got away from me in the night time, he would have to break a little chain fastened to my ankle was well as his own.  I began to get pretty tired after a  couple of days ride, and telegraphed for Ed to meet us at Fargo, which he did, and I was glad enough for the relief.  I left on the 26^th of Sept., and arrived in Waupaca Oct. 2^nd.

            Mr. Gunderson’s father is a wealthy and prosperous farmer in Farmington.  It is learned, he claims to be very indignant over his son’s actions, but nevertheless, it is said he has employed Judge Cate to come on and defend Gunder in the action brought against him by the state.

            The examination was held yesterday afternoon and defendant held for trial in the circuit court.  Bail fixed at $1000 which was signed by the father.