Vestkysten 27. November 1918

The mysterious incident in the barracks in Ansager and the police’s scandalous foot-dragging in the investigation.

Ansager, Tuesday

Finally, on Tuesday evening around half past five, after the body of the old labourer, Peder Knudsen, had lain for 3 - three - days, after the accident or the wrongdoing had occurred, it was possible to have the formal inquest carried out. Thus there did not seem to have been any great urgency to get to the bottom of this strange and highly mysterious affair, which not without reason has stirred strong feelings in the area. It was of course quite dark at that late hour when deputy district officer Miihlensteth-Riis and district doctor Jakobsen of Varde, accompanied by police officer Andersen, arrived at the scene.

By the light of a bicycle lamp, the terrain around the barracks was examined, but by then it had long since been so trampled by the many curious onlookers who had been at the spot during the three preceding days that no traces could be found there to confirm either one thing or the other. The district doctor then examined the body, but could of course, under the local conditions or with the poor lighting, not form an absolute opinion as to whether the blow, from which the body bore such gruesome marks, and which in connection with the intense night cold had caused death, originated from a fall, or whether it had been inflicted in a violent assault.

On a preliminary assessment, the district doctor was inclined to believe that the severe facial injuries were the result of an accident, but in order, if possible, to obtain full clarity, it was decided that the body should be taken to Varde and there subjected to an autopsy.It would be nice if the death had been caused by an accident and not by a crime, and for the residents it might perhaps seem reassuring if the autopsy reached that conclusion, but that would only be the case, of course, if the wallet and the money, which one is so certain the deceased must have possessed, could also be found.

On Sunday the parish constable examined the body to find these items, and on Monday a brother-in-law of the deceased searched for the money, and on Tuesday evening at the autopsy the district doctor went through his pockets, but all these times with absolutely negative results. The only item of value found on him was his watch, which was handed over to the brother-in-law.

When the body is now taken to Varde tomorrow, Wednesday, one must surely assume that the police will carry out a thorough search in the barracks among all the rubbish and in the bed in order, if possible, to find the fatal money. And if it is not found, one will not be able to rid oneself of the thought that one is here faced with a violent assault, to use a mild expression.

The autopsy

After the autopsy, various people were questioned, without anything further coming of it. It was stated that the deceased, Peter Knudsen, was born in Lerskov on 12 July 1848 and was thus 70 years old. He had worked in Skovlund on Saturday and had ridden home to Ansager with one of the company’s drivers, where they had arrived around 6 o’clock.

The deputy district officer and the district doctor returned immediately after the autopsy and the questioning to Varde, whereas police officer Andersen remains in Ansager until tomorrow to arrange the further necessary matters regarding the dispatch of the body to Varde and presumably inspect the barracks.

A statement from the police.

We visited the district magistrate to hear the police’s opinion of the event that had taken place. However, the district magistrate was in court, and therefore we spoke with the deputy, who together with the district doctor had carried out the inquest. It is not possible to say anything definite before the autopsy, but everything points to an accident. The deceased’s bank book was found in the barracks.

But the money the deceased had had paid out?

Yes, it has not yet been found, but today the police officer is out there. The body has been removed, and only then can he begin to inspect the barracks. Today the body will be taken to Varde hospital, and the autopsy will be carried out there.

When?

Presumably tomorrow.

The district doctor’s statements also indicate that there is every reason to believe an accident has occurred. There are clear marks of earth and dirt on the clothing and hands, showing that the deceased climbed up the slope, says district doctor Jacobsen. The wound on the head corresponds to having struck it against the ground.

The course of events in the accident is apparently that the deceased came home, hung up his overcoat and went outside. There he fell over. He then came back into the barracks and, either stunned by the blow or for some other reason, collapsed on the floor. The body will, however, be autopsied, but as I said, I have no doubt that an accident has occurred.

Scandalous slowness on the part of the police

We find that it deserves the strongest criticism that the police authorities have handled this case with such scandalous slowness as is the case. The police could not have known in advance how the matter stood. Nevertheless, day after day they refrained from doing anything of real value to clarify the case. And it is certain: if there has been murder, then the police’s incredible foot-dragging has at any rate made the discovery extremely difficult. The population of the area is not well served by such conduct on the part of the police.

To be continued ...