Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1875-03-30
Lynch Law in Maryland.


Monday night shocking outrage was per-
petrated in Prince Georges county, Md on
the wife of Mr.. Edgar A. Nelson by negro
named John Scott, who afterwards shot him.
self out OF remorse; was arrested. and SUBJ
sequeutly, while on his way to Jail at Upper
Marlboro was taken by crowd of citizens,
whites and blacks, from the hands OF his legal
custodian and hanged on tree The negro
was employed on the farm of Mr.. Nelson,
known as the Motley Hall estate, which Mr.
Nelson, who came from the North. purchased
few years ago in Prince Georges county,
nearly opposite Alexandria, Va, aud seven
miles below Washington city. a similar case
of this kind occurred in the same community
some two years ago for the same offeuse
A Sun correspondent visited the residence
OF MIR. Edgar A. Nelson, at Motley Hall. yes
terday evening, and ascertainea fine facts III
relation to the 'iyuching to be as follows: Mr.
Nelson left his homo Monday evening for
Washington. intending to return next morn
ing. He left his wife at home, as also the
colored man, named John Henry Scott The
room occupied by Scott :wss in the lower part
of the house. About twelve O'Clock Monday
night, while Mrs. Nelson was sleeping. he
entered her room with lamp in his hand -
She was awakened by the noise, aud rising
up in bed asked him what he waited At
this he pointed revolver at her head and in
formed her of his purpose, saying that if she
refused he would kill her and her baby, which
lay by her side, which is eighteen months of
age. She tried by every possible effort to
make him desist. but was unsuccessful BY
main force. holding the revolver in his hand
he accomplished his purpose aud left the room.
leaving Mrs. Nelson in am unconscious state
lie returned to her room about an hour after
aud said he intended to kill her child and her.
self, and then himself, as he was tired oc liv-
ing, as his sister had become the mother of an
ille"itimate child, aud that he was disgraccd
thereby. He then told her he Intended to
outrage hcT sgain, snd by the same threats
succeeded. Then leaving the bed he said he
knew he would be killed for his acts. and ,hat
he would save her husband that trouble by
shooting himself, which he did, shooting him
self in the left brcatt. Mrs Nelson, taking
advantage of this, ran out of tho house in her
night clothes with her infant in her arms, and
informed a neighbor, coored man, residing
near by. This man, named Morris. imme-
diately ran to the house, where he fouud Scott
suffering from his wound Mrs. Nelson was
unable to say anything, except that "JOhn
shot himself" Morris then ran. after DR.
Bayne, who lives near by, aud also ustice R.
Walter Brooke, who with DR.. Bayne soon ar
rived at the house. Towards daylight Mrs.
Nelson regained her senses and told what &C.
CURED, when Mr.. Brooks took her affidavit
He then ordered the commitment Of Scott to
Marlboro Jail, and deputzed Curtis Smith to
take him there. Mr.. Smith started with the
prisoner shortly after eight O'Clock, when he
was met at the door by crowd of at least one
hundred persons, colored and white, all of
whom were masked. They told Mr. Smith
of their purpose, and took Scott away from
him. Placing him on horse they rode him
into hollow, when, 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 the
March wind The crowd then dispersed
quietly. the colored people in the crowd maxi
ing arrangements to roast his body. having
gone so far as to collect quantity of wood
aud brush for that purpose. This, however,
was not allowed, and the body was left hang
ing to the tree. Il was cut down about three
O'Clock, and coroners jury summoned who,
after hearing all the evidence, returned yer.
dict ''that tie deceased was hung by persons
unknown to the jury" The body was then
paced in a coffin ordered from Alexandria,
and will be buried Tomorrow.
Mr.. Nelson has resided at Motley Hall for
five years. and is greatly respected by all per
sons, white and colored, in the neighborhood.
Scott was twenty three years of age, and had
resided with Mr. Nelson for one year. He
had often been left in the house with Mrs
Nelson. having some months since STAYED
there three weeks while Mr. Nelson went to
his home in Madison county, New York, to
attend the funeral of his father. Mrs. Mel.
son last evening, was in a very nervous CON-
dition. but out of danger The affair HIS Gre
ated the greatest excitement in the neiehbor-
hood Mr.. Nelson was one of the judges of
election of Spalding district. and a republican
in politics. and had treated the negro with
familinrity.-Bah. Sun Of Wednesday.