Murder in Chisago County: The Unsolved Johnson Family Mystery (True Crime)

Murder in Chisago County: The Unsolved Johnson Family Mystery (True Crime)

(8 customer reviews)

$21.99

At 3:30 a.m. on April 11, 1933, neighbors and firefighters arrived at the farmhouse of Albin and Alvira Johnson to find a smoldering heap where a seemingly happy home once stood. Beneath the ruins, investigators found the bodies of Alvira and her seven children, but Albin’s remains were nowhere to be seen. The authorities determined that Alvira and the children were dead before the fire, and fingers immediately pointed to Albin. Hundreds of searchers, including the illustrious Pinkerton Agency, combed the area and even crossed into Canada in pursuit of Johnson, who was indicted in absentia for murder. But he was never found, dead or alive. What happened to the Johnson family and what part, if any, Albin played in the tragedy remain a mystery. Twin Cities journalist Brian Johnson tells the story that has beguiled the community for generations.
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Description

At 3:30 a.m. on April 11, 1933, neighbors and firefighters arrived at the farmhouse of Albin and Alvira Johnson to find a smoldering heap where a seemingly happy home once stood. Beneath the ruins, investigators found the bodies of Alvira and her seven children, but Albin’s remains were nowhere to be seen. The authorities determined that Alvira and the children were dead before the fire, and fingers immediately pointed to Albin. Hundreds of searchers, including the illustrious Pinkerton Agency, combed the area and even crossed into Canada in pursuit of Johnson, who was indicted in absentia for murder. But he was never found, dead or alive. What happened to the Johnson family and what part, if any, Albin played in the tragedy remain a mystery. Twin Cities journalist Brian Johnson tells the story that has beguiled the community for generations.

Review

“In his new book, [Johnson] blends journalistic balance with his personal connections to the case. He gives voice to Albin’s defenders, who insist he either died in the fire or took his own life. But the author also injects his role as a relative of the victims, recalling childhood visits to the graves of the family. … In rich detail, he lays out clue after clue — explaining how Albin’s father had just evicted the family from the house.” -Curt Brown, Star Tribune, March 16, 2019.

“In the ’80s and ’90s, Brian started researching and interviewing family and friends – people who knew Alvira, Albin, and the children. His new book about what he learned – Murder in Chisago County – is an attempt to get closer to the heart of the mystery.” -Hannah Jones, City Pages, March 18, 2019.

“Johnson breathes life not only into Albin and his mysterious disappearance, but more importantly provides faces again to his mother’s aunt and the children who lost their lives on that desolate and lonely eastern Minnesota farm.” — Raymond T. Rivard, Richfield Sun Current, May 16, 2019.

“As Johnson grew older, he discovered that there was more to the story than a simple tragedy. … This story took hold of Brian, a professional journalist, and he felt that it was a story that needed to be told if for no other reason than to honor Alvira and the children.” — The Post Review.

“Johnson said he hopes his research and writing will help the reader get to know Alvira and her seven children: Harold, Clifford, Kenneth, Dorothy, Bernice, Lester and James Johnson.” – Mike Gainor, Isanti-Chisago County Star, March 7, 2019.

“Brian Johnson has lifted the rocks and dusted off county documents to piece together a story that he hopes will give a face and form to Alvira and her seven children. He desires that they are remembered as more than just the listed victims in an historic incident.” — Chisago County Press.

About the Author

Brian Johnson, a Twin Cities journalist, has more than twenty-five years of experience as a reporter and editor. A longtime staff writer for a Minneapolis-based business publication, Johnson has won a number of awards from the Minnesota Society of Professional Journalists. He graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1989 with a major in journalism and a minor in Swedish. Johnson is a grand-nephew of Alvira Lundeen Johnson, who died with her seven children on April 11, 1933, in Harris, Minnesota. Johnson lives in Richfield, Minnesota, with his wife, Stephanie, and their four children.

Details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ The History Press (March 4, 2019)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 128 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1467142336
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1467142335
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 10.4 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.31 x 9 inches

Additional information

Weight 0.6 lbs
Dimensions 9 × 6 × 0.4 in

8 reviews for Murder in Chisago County: The Unsolved Johnson Family Mystery (True Crime)

  1. Belle Phillippi –


    Was shown this book by a neighbor and read it. I live not far from this area. Am looking forward to meeting and hearing the author in July at Harris Days. He will be at the History display.

  2. Seeker –


    The book “Murder in Chisago County is well documented for the time period. Investigators today would have solved the case using today’s technology. The real issues in the depression may never let us understand why 7 children had to die! What a tragedy.

  3. Paula Corregan –


    This book details the horrible deaths of a mother and her seven children in a farmhouse fire in rural Minnesota in April 1933. The woman’s husband and father of the children was never accounted for after the fire was extinguished.The author speculates on various scenarios about the origin of the fire and what could have happened to the missing man. It was truly a sad story. I highly recommend this book to not only true crime readers, but I also recommend it to those interested in history.

  4. NavyRet –


    Not sure it.s worth $21+ as a paperback, but the story is well written and entertaining. Would recommend to a friend.

  5. charli –


    Lots of good history and theory. Very interesting read. Especially interesting for Chisago Countians. Certainly will recommend this book to others

  6. Amazon Customer –


    Good read.

  7. Nalyea –


    Fantastic read

  8. K. Johnson –


    As a native to the area, I really appreciate the time Johnson spent interviewing local folks to give us an idea of how this tragedy left its mark on the community. Many of the accounts are hearsay and old-timer tall tales, but I enjoyed the human aspect as it adds an intriguing layer to the overall mystery. This book has stirred a feeling within me to find buried and long-lost clues (that are likely not there) to help solve the case. My only complaint is the book strays off on some unnecessary tangents; 3-4 pages where dedicated to a boxing pro brother-in-law that has no significance to the murder, for example. This type of stretch writing should be avoided, and the book could’ve easily been reduced by about 20 pages.

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