He left Oregon for Alaska in 1905 where he was affiliated with a survey party working for the Alaska Central Railway out of Seward. He went to Knik in the Fall of 1910. During the next three years he improved his homestead which was two miles from Matunuska in the valley. He was murdered on his property on 2 or 3 July 1920. His body was found a few days later lying in the slough. An escapee from a mental institution confessed to the murder.
Ex-Soldier Admits Slaying. Confesses to Fatally Shooting Alaskan Pioneer After Quarrel. Anchorage, Alaska, July 14 - Edward Olsen, 23, a former soldier, today confessed he shot and killed Ben Agnew, pioneer of the Matanuska river valley, at the latter's ranch last Wednesday, officers said today. According to the alleged confession, Olsen was shooting chickens on the Agnew ranch when Agnew appeared. They quarreled and Olsen ran, then turned and shot Agnew, hiding his body. Olsen formerly lived in Philadelphia, Pa. Agnew's parents are said to live in Tacoma, Wash. Published in Anchorage on July 14, 1920.
Ex-Soldier Admits Slaying. Confesses to Fatally Shooting Alaskan Pioneer After Quarrel. Anchorage, Alaska, July 14 - Edward Olsen, 23, a former soldier, today confessed he shot and killed Ben Agnew, pioneer of the Matanuska river valley, at the latter's ranch last Wednesday, officers said today. According to the alleged confession, Olsen was shooting chickens on the Agnew ranch when Agnew appeared. They quarreled and Olsen ran, then turned and shot Agnew, hiding his body. Olsen formerly lived in Philadelphia, Pa. Agnew's parents are said to live in Tacoma, Wash. Published in Anchorage on July 14, 1920.
He left Oregon for Alaska in 1905 where he was affiliated with a survey party working for the Alaska Central Railway out of Seward. He went to Knik in the Fall of 1910. During the next three years he improved his homestead which was two miles from Matunuska in the valley. He was murdered on his property on 2 or 3 July 1920. His body was found a few days later lying in the slough. An escapee from a mental institution confessed to the murder.
Ex-Soldier Admits Slaying. Confesses to Fatally Shooting Alaskan Pioneer After Quarrel. Anchorage, Alaska, July 14 - Edward Olsen, 23, a former soldier, today confessed he shot and killed Ben Agnew, pioneer of the Matanuska river valley, at the latter's ranch last Wednesday, officers said today. According to the alleged confession, Olsen was shooting chickens on the Agnew ranch when Agnew appeared. They quarreled and Olsen ran, then turned and shot Agnew, hiding his body. Olsen formerly lived in Philadelphia, Pa. Agnew's parents are said to live in Tacoma, Wash. Published in Anchorage on July 14, 1920.
Ex-Soldier Admits Slaying. Confesses to Fatally Shooting Alaskan Pioneer After Quarrel. Anchorage, Alaska, July 14 - Edward Olsen, 23, a former soldier, today confessed he shot and killed Ben Agnew, pioneer of the Matanuska river valley, at the latter's ranch last Wednesday, officers said today. According to the alleged confession, Olsen was shooting chickens on the Agnew ranch when Agnew appeared. They quarreled and Olsen ran, then turned and shot Agnew, hiding his body. Olsen formerly lived in Philadelphia, Pa. Agnew's parents are said to live in Tacoma, Wash. Published in Anchorage on July 14, 1920.
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