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In 1923 'bad booze' tragedy, a deadly standoff involved machine guns, ammonia and fire

On the evening of October 20, 1923, a 12-hour standoff in Alexandria, Minnesota, ended with three men dead after Edward Larson fired on police and deputies.
The conflict began after Larson, known for his drunken sprees, threatened his family and shot Jacob Ley, who had helped calm him previously.
Police Chief Olsen and Patrolman Callahan arrived to find Larson armed and firing, prompting 16 special deputies and machine gun crews to surround the house.
About 300 rounds were fired, and at 10:45 p.m., machine guns opened fire, wounding William Ramsden, who later died; a decision then was made to set the house on fire.
The fire was controlled by 6 a.m. When Larson’s body was found; funerals followed, and local papers condemned the tragedy as caused by 'bad booze' and prohibition law violations.

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