The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1875-05-20
A MINNESOTA SENSATION.
Thomas Nelson Shoots His Love, and
Then Does Away with Himself.

Then Does Away with Himself.
The Minneapolis Mail of April 20 has
this: The village of Fergus Falls, Otter
Tail County, experienced real sensa-
ton, the particulars of which have not
before found their way into public print.
About two years since Thomas Nelson,
a Scandinavian, became enamOred Mary
Anderson. The love he bore her was ap-
paren1y reciprocated, and Nelson pro-
posed marriage. This the maiden de-
clined. pleading as an excuse Nelson's i'm
pecuniOSiiy, and promising then, it is as
serted, ifhe should at some future day bet
ter his circumstances that she would be-
come his wife. With the fire of love in
him he went to Black River, Falls, Wis,
where he found employment and areason-
able degree of success. For two long
years he cOurted industriously, and
saved his earnings and the results of his
investments with scrupulous care, return
ing a week or so ago 10 claim his bride,
pursuant to the agreement between them.
Meantime Mary Anderson found another
person who possessed more charms for
her. A Irritation was started, and when
Nelson returned it was to find his atten-
ton not so reciprOcaied as hisimagination
had believed it should be and his heart de-
sired. He fingered, however, for several
days at Fergus Falls, and did all within
his power to bring about a reconciliation
and win back the lady's love.
On Friday evening his efforts culmi-
mated. A ball was given in the place, to
which both Nelson and Mary Anderson
were invited. Miss Anderson was accom-
panied by the swain that had stolen away
her love. while Nelson went alone. The
mental conflict and his determination
were both apparent to his companions.
Before the dancing had commenced he Oc
cupied a seat on one side of the
room, and the lady of his affection
Oh the opposite side. Rising from his
seat he crossed to where she sal, beckOned
to her and led the way TO one end of the
room. There was little or nothing strange
in his conduct, and every movement was
cool and collected. But with scarcely a
word of warning he drew from his hip
pocket revolver and fired at Miss An
derson, and then turned and shot himself
through the heart, and fell corpse. The
escape of the girl is almost miraculous.
The ball was aimed at the heart, but
struck the steel of her corset and glanced
aside, harming no one. For the time-be-
ing, however, she was stunned more by
If10nU Ildu ItOIl Tie SlltCG Vi TIE SllOI. III
was believed for a time that both were
dead from the result of the shooting The
utmost CONSERVATION ensued, and the eve
ming gayety was brought to a sudden and
q sad ending. ~ NJ.
The act appears to have been clearly de-
Liberated for more than a week. This is
Inferred from the fact that upon his per-
son was found note, addressed to hard
ware merchant of Fergus Falls, request
ing him if any thing should happen to
hun (NelsoD) that his VI Gle, whose ad-
dress was given, be informed of the fact.
The note was written upon a piece of
paper Which disappeared from the hard
ware merchants desk more than a week
before the shooting, and was written with
peculiar ink which has not been in use in
the store for similar length of time prior
TO the suicide. Several hundred dollars
and other notes and papers were found up
on the body OF Nelson, which directed the
disposition that should be made of his
means. -a1s -rs
Ii was evidently the intent of Nelson,
should he prove unsuccessful in his over
lures to the lady with whom he proved to
be so much enamored, to end both his
own and her existence, but her fortunate
escape forced upon hin alone the penalty
of bis folly, The dress reforme.s are now
expected TO Withdraw all further obiec-
tons to the wearing OF cOrsets.