POPE COUNTY, MN – In 1915, the small community of Ben Wade Township was shaken by a brutal crime that left three Mitmoen brothers dead on their farm. Andrew Knutson, who discovered the gruesome scene, found Sven and Johannes (John) in the house, while the youngest brother, Amund, was in the barn – all three had been viciously murdered. Their deaths, caused by a brutal bludgeoning, went undiscovered for several days.
At the time, The Glenwood Herald reported that it was likely the brothers had fought back against their assailants before they were killed. Robbery was suspected as the motive, given the brothers’ wealth and the substantial amount of money found in their possession. Despite investigations, law enforcement struggled to find any concrete suspects. In a bid to solve the mystery, a significant reward of $1,250 was offered, an equivalent of over $39,000 in today’s money.
Later that year, two men, John Jacobson and George Nelson, were brought to the county jail and charged with the murders. John was the brothers’ nephew, and George was his brother-in-law. While the case initially seemed promising, with testimony and evidence pointing towards the two men, they were ultimately acquitted by a jury and released on their own cognizance. After the trial concluded, no other suspects were charged with the murders.
The Mitmoen brothers’ tragic deaths remain unsolved, leaving behind a chilling historical mystery that continues to captivate the region. The Pope County Museum now houses artifacts related to the case, reminding visitors of the unresolved crime that shocked the community over a century ago.