The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1875-05-13
AN UP-COUNTRY TRAGEDY.
Thomas Nelson Attempts to Shoot q
Tickle Maid and His Success in
Shooting Himself.

htaaQ ana fa2S success lH
Shooting Himself
The Sentinel's special dispatches gave
the news of the tragedy at Fergus Falls,
Mimi, OF which the following, from the
Minneapolis Mail, pictures the fuller
details:
''The village of Fergus Falls, Otter
Tail county, experienced a 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 of
was apparently reciprocated, and Mel
son proposed marriage. This the maid
en- declined, pleading as an excuse Mel
sons impecuniosity, and promis1ng then,
it is asserted, if he should at some fu-
ture day better his circumstances that
she would become his wife. With the
fire of love in him he went to Black
River Falls, Wis, where he found en-
ployment, and reasonable degree of
success.
For two long years he courted in
dustriously, and saved his earnings and
olous care, returning week or SO ago
to claim his bride, pursuant to the agree
ment between them. Meantime Mary
Andersen found another person who
possessed more charms for her. A firt-
alton was started, and when Nelson re-
turned it was to find his attention not
so reciprocated as his imagination had
believed it should be, and his heart de-
sired. He fingered, however, for sew
eral 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 culmin-
ated A ball was given in the place, to
which both Nelson and Mary Anderson
were invited Miss Anderson was ac-
companied by the swain that had stolen
away her love, while Anderson went
alone. The mental conflict and his de-
termination were both apparent to his
companions. Before the dance had
commenced he occupied seat on enc
side of the room, and the lady of his
affection on the opposite side. Rising
from his seat he crossed to where she
sat, beckoned to her and led the way to
one end OF the room. There was little
or nothing strange III his conduct, and
But with scarcely word of warming lie
drew from his hip pocket revolver and
fred at Miss Anderson, 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 being, however, she
was stunned more by fright than from
the effect of the shot. 1t was believed
for time that both were dead from the
result of the shooting. The utmost con-
sternation ensued, and the evening
gayety was brought to sudden and sad
ending.
The act appears to have been clearly
deEberated for more than week. This
is inferred from the fact that upon his
person was found note, addressed to {.
hardware merchant of Fergus Fall, re-
questing him if anything should happen
to him (Nelson) that his uncle, whose
address was given, be Informed of the
fact. The note was written upon
piece of paper which disappeared from
the hardware 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 upon the body
of Nelson, which directed the DISPOSE
ton that should be made of his means
1t was evidently the intent of Nelson,
should he prove unsuccessful in his
overtures 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 him alone
the penalty of his folly. The dress re-
formers are now expected to Withdraw
all further objections TO the wearing of
cOrSets.
A FRENCH chemist has SO far succeed