CSI Klondike: Help Solve a Murder

Enjoy the exercise of a murder mystery? I used this murder mystery on my trips on the Chilkoot Trail and Yukon Rivers. You may want to use this with friends around a campfire when doing a trip. Most people really enjoyed it. Add a little prize for the first person/team to answer.

All that you need is provided in the blog archive in the right column. Sgt Higgins needs your help!

Check your answer on my facebook page, under events in the left column.

Crime Report
North-West Mounted Police
YUKON TERRITORY
REF NO. 99-12
OLSEN, GEORGE - AUGUST 5, 1899

GOLD BOTTOM DETACHMENT - INVESTIGATING OFFICER: SERGEANT HIGGINS
On August 3, 1899, while on patrol in the Gold Bottom vicinity, I approached George Olsen's claim. The claim is located just above the town site of Gold Bottom which is situated at the confluence of Gold Bottom Creek and Hunker Creek. The purpose of my visit was to make a direct enquiry about a claim dispute related to a large nugget in the possession of Mr. Olsen. I found no one working the claim, so I continued up to the wall tent were Olsen lived when he was at Gold Bottom. I called out his name but got no response. The tent flap was untied so I pushed it to one side and looked in. I found George Olsen lying face up on the floor and a good deal of blood about. I also noted a handgun to the right of the body. On closer examination I determined Olsen was dead; the body was cold.

Then I noted the position of the body and observed the condition and contents of the tent. It was apparent some struggle had occurred but I was not sure if Olsen had taken a fit and shot himself or if it was murder. I then determined to search the body and made the following notes:

Description of the Victim:
• 6'4"
• Approximately 220 pounds
• Muscular build
• About 35 years of age
• Sandy hair with a handle bar mustache
• Blue eyes
• No other distinguishing marks noted

Cause of Death
One gun shot wound entering the right abdomen in an upward direction lodging in the chest cavity. Shot at close range.

Dr. Pare at Fort Herchmer in Dawson is conducting a full autopsy and will submit a separate report. He has already recovered the bullet from the chest cavity of the victim. It was the same calibre and type as the handgun I found at the scene. One bullet was missing from the cylinder. The gun had been recently fired.

Time of Death
A watch found on the body had been damaged by the gunshot. The time piece had stopped at 3:25 a.m. of August 3, 1899. Dr. Pare in conducting a preliminary examination of the body has corroborated my deduction.

Position of the Body
The victim was lying on the floor of the tent, face up in a pool of blood. I deduced that the body was in the same position in which it had fallen. Nothing unusual was found on the body with the exception of a hand written note I found in his shirt pocket and the fact that the gold nugget he always carried was not on his person. Mr. Olsen like many miners was known to carry his prize nugget on his person at all times. His right trouser pocket was pulled out. The pocket was empty.

Evidence at the Scene
The evidence has been removed from the scene and is now located at the Detachment Office.
• A receipt for purchases dated August 2, 1899, lying on the floor near the body with a clear footprint on it.
• There was a candle with smeared finger prints.
• An unsigned, handwritten note referenced the gold nugget (from his shirt pocket).
• A deck of cards bore the name "Frank Davis".

Conclusion
I determined that a murder/theft had been committed at 3:25 a.m., August 3, 1899.

Further action taken:
I loaded the body into Olsen's wagon and hitched up his horse.
I secured the tent and returned to the detachment with the evidence and the victim.
At the detachment I reviewed my notes and from what I had observed I drew up a list of persons who could provide information useful for solving the crime.
• Harry Brackett
• Kitty Moore
• Mrs. Dayton
• Joe Larkin
• Frank Davis

I then drove the wagon to Fort Herchmer in Dawson City, leaving the victim's body with Dr. Pare. I estimated the distance between Olsen's claim and Dawson to be approximately 12 ½ miles. From previous experience traveling on horseback, the trip normally takes 2 hours; by wagon the trip took me 3 hours.

I then interviewed Harry Brackett and Kitty Moore at the Monte Carlo.

A handwriting sample and boot print were obtained from Miss Moore.

On the way out of town I stopped by the N.W.M.P. Town Station and obtained the recent Court Records from Corporal O'Mally. I returned to the Gold Bottom on Olsen's horse and began typing my report before turning in.

On the morning of August 4th, I conducted interviews with Mrs. Dayton, Joe Larkin, and Frank Davis.

I also obtained handwriting and footprint samples from Larkin and Davis.

Signed Sgt. Higgins - N.W.M.P. Gold Bottom Detachment