The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1875-05-14

Fergus Falls, Minnesota, is the locality
of romance and tragedy ofno common
order. Among the people who have lived
for some time at Fergus Falls are, or
rather were, a young man named Thomas
Nelson and a Miss Anderson. Two years
ago Miss Anderson and Nelson were en-
gagged TO be married. but the date of the
wedding was not fixed. IL was the old
story the man must win the fortune
necessary to establish home before the
marriage could take place. Full Of hope,
Nelson left Fergus Falls and emigrafed to
the pineries Of Wisconsin, and began the
resolute struggle for money TO accomplish
his ends. Two years OF hard labor sur
prised him; he was shrewd energetic and
honest, and he prospered In the pineries.
Then, a few weeks ago. he returned TO
Fergus Falls TO claim Miss Anderson, and
To establish her In the home he had labored
for. He found the woman he had hoped
TO marry, chahged. He was steadfast, but
her wandering fancy had settled upon an
other man to whom she was reported en-
gagged. Nelson had expected TO be mar
ried at once upon his return. and the false
ness of the woman stunned him. He
went about dazed and sad. but expressed
himself 10 no one. On the twenty-third
of April a grand party was held by the
young people Of Fergus Falls, In vacant
building of which Nelson was part owner.
He was present at the party. and, during
the evening, Miss Anderson also arrived in
company with her latest flame. She danced
occasionally, and Nelson looked AT her
apparently without agitation. though at
heart he doubtless endured all the agony
strong men suffer when they yield them
selves up fully to the passion which Is
most removed from reason. Finally
IS Anderson took seat and Nelson
preached her. She gave min her hand
and he was heard TO remark: "Why are
you here tonight; don't you know l can
not bear 10 see you here?" The lady rose
and the two walked 10 another seat. when
Nelson. standing before the girl. was
again heard to say: ..You know cannot
bear TO see you here" and while he spoke
he was seen reaching into his pocket be-
hind him. Suddenly he drew forth a re-
volver, and, placing 1t against the lady's
breast. fired. Shrieking, Miss Anderson
darted past Nelson and down the stairway.
Nelson instantly turned himself about,
threw his head back and discharged the
weapon at his own heart. Without utter
ing word. he sprang forward nearly fif-
teen feet as the report died away. dropped
the pistol and fell TO the floor, dead.
When Miss Anderson fled she was follow
ed by her friends, and II was discovered
upon the street that the bullet intended
for her had fiattened itself upon the steel
of her corset, and retained barely force
enough in It's passage to lodge beneath
the skin SO ended the tragedy
They examined the body of the
man lying upon the ballroom
floor. and In his pockets found notes
and large sum Of money. enough TO be-
gin housekeeping with. They found
something else carefully wrapped up and
laid away among his valuables; il was a
heavy gold ring, and had been intended
by Nelson as wedding ring for the wo-
man who deserted him. The dancers
withdrew from the hall, and there the
body was prepared for burial. The next
day there came TO the express office
package addressed TO Nelson-the package
contained his wedding-suit md IL arrived
Just In time TO serve as his STROUD. Neat
ly clad In the wedding clothes the body
was laid out and visited by many Of the
citizens who had long respected the char
acter Of the dead man, and among those
who came was the woman who had been
false TO him and whom he had tried TO kill.
Throwing herself repeatedly upon the
coffin. her reproaches and protestations OF
love were earnest and affecting, but they
brought no life to the dead man. Miss
Anderson proved herself a thorough wo-
man. cruel to herself and the man she
loved. tickle. and repentant all too late. lt
was very complete romance, the affair
at Fergus Falls, and touched the heart OF
every body. The list ceremonies over
the dead were earnest and imposing. As
in Enoch Artien's village, the little town
had seldom seen nobler funeral.-N.
LOUIS Republican.