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

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