Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1875-03-26
A Shocking Affair.

One OF the most shocking and revolving
outrages which human nature is capable
of perpetrating was consummated Monday
night in Prince Georges county Maryland,
Immediately opposite Alexandria, Va, by
a negro named Jerry, alias John Scott,
upon the person of Mrs. E. A. Nelson, the
wife OF his employer. Mr.. Nelson the
husband Of the lady, was from Madison
co., n. Y, and emigrated to Virginia about
five years ago and was respected by all his
neighbors. white and colored. 1t had been
the custom of Mr.. Nelson to pay periodical
business visits to Washington city, and
having implicit confidence i'll the integrity
of Scott, at these times entrusted to his
protection the care of his wife and child.
Before going to Washington Sunday even
ing Mr.. Nelson gave Scott his revolver fol-
his better security in protecting the prop.
erty during his absence, with directions
take care OF the place until his return Mon.
day morning. A correspondent OF tbs
Baltimore. sun" says:
The L, om occupied by Scott WAS in tht
lower part OF the house. Abtut tweis,
o'cluck Monday night, while Mrs. Nelsol
was sleeping, lie entered her room With
lamp in his hand. She was awakened 10y
the noise, and rising up in bed asked hiiI'
what he wanted. At this he pointed re-
volver at her lead and Informed her of Ills
purpose, saying that if she refused he
would kill her and her baby, which lay 10y
her side, and Was eighteen months Of age.
She tried by every possible effort to make
Inn desist, but was unsuccessful. by
main force, holding the revolver i'll lis
hand, he accomplished his purposes and
left the room, leaving Mrs. Nelson in an
unconscious state. He returned to her
room about an hour after and said he in
tended to kill ller child and herself, and
then himself, as he was tired of living, as
his sister had become the mother OF an il
legitimate child, and that lie was disgrace
Ell thereby. He then told her that he i'll
tended to outrage her again, and by the
same threats succeeded. Then leaving
the bed. he said he knew he should be kill
ed for his acts, and lie would save her hus-
band that trouble by shooting himself,
which he did, shooting himself in the left
breast. Mrs. Nelson, taking advantage OF
this, ran out OF the house in her night
clothes with her infant in her arms, and
informed a neighbor, Il colored man, resld-
ing near by. This man, named Morris,
Immediately ran to the house, where he
found Scott, suffering from his wound.
Mrs. Nelson was unable to say anything,
except that John shot himself" Morris
than ran after DIR. Bayne, who lives near
bv. and also Justice Il. Walter Brooke,
VINO with Dr.. Bayne, soon arrived at the
house. Towards daylight Mrs. Nelson re-
gained her senses aud told what occurred,
when Mr.. Brookes took her affidavit. He
then ordered tnecUlnmltment OF Scott to
Marlboro jail, and deputized Curtis Smith
10 take hun there Mr.. Smith started
with the prisoner shortly after eight
O'Clock, when he was met at the door by
d. crowd Of at least. one hundred persons,
colored and white, all of whom We're mask
ed. They told MI. Smith OF their purpose.
and took Scott away from him. Placing
min Oh 4 horse they rode HIM into a hol-
low, VIII Il placing new MANILA rope
about his neck, one end OF which Was tied
to black walnut tree, they drove the
horse away. leaving his body swinging in
tue Marcii wind. The crowd then dlsper-
sed quietly, the colored people making pre-
paratlols 10 roast the body, having gone
So far as to collect d quantity of wood and
brush for the purprse. This, however,
was not allowed, and the body WAS left
hanging to the tree. 1t was cut down
about tnree o'cio TX, and cor0nerS jury
summoned WHO, after hearing all the evil
deuce. returned il verdict that the deceaS-
eli Was hung by persons unknown to the
jury" The body was then placed i'll a cot
in ordered from Alexandria, and Will be
buried tomorrow.
The Alexandria Gazette" of Tuesday
afternool says:
Mr. Nelson was unacquainted with the
tlistresBiul occurrence III bis family until
his arl&yal here this morning on his way
home, b. Which place lie immediately pto
ceedecf TO find an indignant and outraged
coulnqnty had Nreaked SUNNI ry ven
aenceIspon tie offender. The news of tkt
the AFFAIR CAUSED muci: excitement III Till:
city, aud induced many persons to cross
lac liver to the scene,