Ramsey County History Podcast #2 – Summer 2014: Minnesota’s Oldest Murder Mystery; Life in Old Swede Hollow

Part 1: Edward Phelan was one of St. Paul’s very first settlers. Was he also a murderer? In September 1839, the body of Phelan’s cabin-mate, John Hays, was found floating in the Mississippi River. He had been beaten to death. Phelan was charged with the crime but not convicted. Now, 170 years later, St. Paul author Gary Brueggemann believes he has solved the case. He tells the tale in his new book, Minnesota’s Oldest Murder Mystery. We met with Gary Brueggemann at Landmark Center in downtown St. Paul.

Part 2: Swede Hollow is a ravine on St. Paul’s east side, and for a hundred years — 1850s to 1950s — a receptor neighborhood for recent immigrants. Swedes first, then Italians, then Mexican-Americans. St. Paul historian Steve Trimble edited the Swede Hollow memoirs of Michael Sanchelli for the Spring 2014 issue of Ramsey County History magazine. Steve Trimble joined us to talk about life in old Swede Hollow.