Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-08-08
A SERIOUS CHARGE.

0utraging an Kleven-Year Old Child
Of r. Mobsrry, Of Little Canada-Nel-
SON stoutly Denies the Accusation.
At about 10 o'clock yesterday forenoon,
Constable George Bowers, of Little Canada
township, accompanied by Mr.. Fred Aoberry,
an old and respected citizen of the township,
living about seven miles from St. Paul, drove
into the city with prisoner in charge, for
commitmentto the county Jail for safe keep
ing. The prisoner was a Swede, known as
Hager Nelson, apparently % to 80 years of
age.
1t appears from the statement of Mr.. Mo-
berry that Nelson is an acquaintance of his
for eight or nine years past, during which
time, he (Nelson) has on different occasions
made his home with him, (Moberry) for
short periods. Mr.. Moberry's family consists
Of himself and wife, and two daughters, one
18 and the other II years of age. The latter
is an imbecile, with no power of speech, and
though able to move around, requires the
constant watchfulness of other members of
the family to keep her out of danger, so that
as rule, she is kept in a closed room, or if
the family is particularly engaged, and 1t is
desirable to have the doors open, she is tied In
an easy chair.
some 1--WE OF tulee weeks ago NELSON ap-
peared at Moberry's, since which he has
remained as a member of The family. On
Saturday Mr.. Moberry left home on business,
and did not return until about midnight.
Nelson also spent the day away frem Mo-
berry's, but returned at about O'Clock in tho
evening, slightly under the influence Of
liquor, and sosn after retired to his bed.
The room occupied by Nelson was on the
first floor, to reach which he had to pass from
eik Of t1xv
through small room into which was also
door from the kitchen. Saturday evening,
after Nelson had gone TO his room, the imbe-
cile daughter was seated in her chair In this
small room, with the door ajar leading into
the kitchen, where the mother and elder Sis
ter were at work on household
affairs. In the early part Of the
evening, John Klein, paying attention to
the elder sister, and ossod ssTnagtrM MSr Iro.ass'
The younger brother, it is claimed, soon re-
turned home, while John remained, and at the
time of the occurrence for which Nelson was
arrested and brought to the county Jail for
safe keeping, was seated in the kitchen In con-
versation with the elder sister engaged in IRON
ing, the mother at that time being in another
part of the house.
were startled by cry as of great pain from
the imbccile child in the adjoining room-es.
pecially startling from the fact that for
articulate sound, even when she
burned the palm of her hand to a blister by
putting it upon the stove, she then manifest
ing the 5misery she was In by biting the
ends of her fingers, while her face was del
uged in tears, but making no audible sound.
rushed into the room where the child had
been left, to find the child on the floor and ap-
parently suffering great misery. As she en-
teka3 the room she alleges she saw Nelson
hastily entering his room. The mother,
alarmed by the same cry, soon after reached
the child. She was greatly excited and evil
dently suffering severely from some cause. As
speedily as possible she was taken to an up
stairs room where 1t was dis
perpetrated, as evidenced by her soiled un-
derclOthing and lacerated person.
In the meantime John Klein, who had been
anxiously waiting for an explanation OF the
sudden commOtion, was given to understand
something Of the nature of the outrage that
had been perperrated, and at once entered Mel
sons room, to prevent any attempted escape
soundly asleep. Awakening Nelson with
some difficulty, that person manifested but
little if any surprise, and made no attempt to
watch until Mr.. Moberry's return,
when Moberry took charge of Nelson, and he,
Klein, went for Constable Bowers, who ar
rived at Moberry's house about a. m. and
took Nelson In charge, bringing him into the
city and lodging him in Jail as above stated.
Constable Bowers stated to a GLOBE re-
porter that Nelson submitted to arrest freely,
and offered no opposition whatever during his
Quincy into the city. He acknowledged that
he returned to Hoberry's house slightly under
the influence Of liquor, but declared his inno-
cence of the crime charged. While he made
no direct accusation, Nelson, in his cOnversa-
tion with the constable, conveyed the impress
sion that young Klein. committed the outi
rage. =
HAGER NELSON'S STORY.
A reporter of the GLOBE called at the county
Jail yesterday afternoon, and through the
courtesy of the officials was permitted long
conversation with Nelson. he is Swede of
about % or 80 years of age, clear, fresh COM
plexion, with light sandy beard and mustache.
He was neatly attired, and answered all ques-
tions with frankness that argued well for
his innocence. There was nothing vicious in
his appearance, and he woulJ not be taken for
one who wsuld injure any one.
The reporter, calling Nelson to the grating
of the corridor, asked him if he had anything
to say in reply to the accusation brought
against him.
ssI hardly know what the charge is" he re-
piled. "The people would not tell me what
had done, and the constable said would find
out when got to saltwater. l can only
Judge by what have heard occasionally since
arrived here"
81 would like to know whether you are
guilty or innocent" said the scribe.
ssI know l am net guilty Of the charge"
said Nelson, III will tell you how it was.
went home to Moberry's pretty full-that is,
had been drinking some, but knew what
was about. found John Klein, who is court
ing the older sister of the girl, sitting on the
porch. His brother was with him. l sat
and talked with them for a while, and feeling
the effects of the liquor had drank, went to
bed. The next thing / remember was this
morning. When awoke found Klein stand
ing over my bed with big knife. / asked
what was the matter. He said, "shutup. If
had my way you wouldn't live minute"
asked him what / had done. He said, "You
know well enough. Iought to kill you" Mrs.
Moberry then came in and said: "You are
a nice fellow to do such thing.n / asked,
-"What have doneg" Then she told me with
what was accused. This was the first l
knew of the charge. / denied it, but beth she
and Klein said would haye 10 60 to Still
water. Then the constable came, and gotup
and dressed, and came with him here"
"Then you are certain you are innocent?"
eyes; know it. I was not SO full as not to
know what was doing"