In the dense woods near Tamarack, Minnesota, a search for an illegal still on September 23, 1932, took a grim turn, ending the life of 32-year-old James Harney, a White/Caucasian male. Harney, a Prohibition Agent, was part of a four-man team investigating the Harry Hedstrom farm. The agents separated to cover more ground in the heavily wooded area. After a couple of hours, three of the agents regrouped at their government vehicle, but Harney was nowhere to be found.
As concern mounted, a more intensive search for the missing agent began.
The search for Harney continued for another two hours, during which the agents discovered the still they had been looking for. With still no sign of their colleague, the agents feared for his safety and called for reinforcements. The search party grew, with nearly every Prohibition Agent in the state joining the effort, working through the night, using fires and flares to light the dark woods, all to no avail. It wasn't until late the following morning that the tragic discovery was made. Harney's body was found concealed under a fallen tree, covered with moss, leaves, and dirt in a crude attempt to hide the crime. An examination by the coroner revealed that he had been shot twice with a. 22 caliber rifle.
The investigation quickly zeroed in on brothers Harry and Gustaf Hedstrom, and another man named Emil Givings, as the operators of the illicit still. Authorities arrested Gustaf Hedstrom and Givings. While Givings admitted to his part in the moonshine operation, he denied any knowledge of the murder. Gustaf Hedstrom, however, provided a crucial lead, admitting he had warned his brother Harry that federal agents were on the property and that Harry had then headed into the woods with his. 22 caliber rifle. On September 25, 1932, agents located and arrested Harry Hedstrom, who confessed to the murder of Agent Harney. Hedstrom stated that Harney had surprised him while he was trying to hide the still. He attempted to flee, but with Harney in pursuit, he felt he had no other option and shot the agent, who fell to the ground wounded. Hedstrom then shot him a second time before burying his body. Justice was swift, as just six days after the murder, on September 29, 1932, Harry Hedstrom was indicted, convicted of murder, and sentenced to life in prison.
