The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
MURDER AND MAYHEM:
In July 1894 Gustavus Adolfson was killed at a dance held near Decorra when he had been struck with a stick of wood and knocked down so that his neck was broken.
Swan Swanson was arrested for the crime and jailed In March 1895 he was brought to trial.
Having no friends or money, the court appointed Rauseldon Cooper to defend him.
He was joined by H.A.Boyer and James W.Gordon who had investigated the crime and became convinced of his innocence.
During the trial it was found that the whole crowd attending the dance was pretty well intoxicated and the charge against Swanson was unfounded and the result of ill will and spite against him.
The jury returned a verdict of not guilty.
1911 History of Henderson County