The evening light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1881-1883, 1882-05-04
TIL 9 Nelson Inquest.

The Nelson Inquest
The following contains full particulars OF
this remarkable inquest: On Wednesday,
April 10th, 1882, at 4 p. m. Justice Anton
Adam received information from Col. Freer,
that the dead body of G. A. Nelson would be
brought from the front to the Sunset depot,
and he desired that an inquest should be held,
and he assigned as a reason why the inquest
had not been held where the accident occurred,
that there was no justice near by, that the
county was unorganized, and that his (de-
ceased's) wife and child were residents of
San Antonio. Justice Adam therefore en-
pannelled jury and proceeded 10 the Sunset
depot and there examined the body of the de-
ceased. The inquest was then held and the
following testimony adduced.
David Donaldson sworn said: On the night
of the 25th, about IS minutes before eight,
there was loaded train ready to 60 west.
got my supper, the train left, and short time
after some parties came to the depot and
said there was a collision one-haf mile west
of Eagle Pass Junction. went on an engine
to the wreck, but before l got there the body
of Mr.. Nelson had been taken out and brought
to the station dead. Everybody that saw him
says he died instantly. l think Nelson was
about IS years old.
John Branigan sworn, deposed: was on
the train going west, with four others. After
we got about half mile from the station the
engineer reversed his engine. About five
minutes afterwards the two trains run together.
The flat car behind came through the car l
was in, and smashed the hind end of the box
car, knocking the ties over me. AS soon as
the car stopped jumped out of the train l
was on. No. IL blew the whistle two minutes
before the collision. The train I was on was
going about or 10 miles an hour. My home
is 10 Palestine.
Tony Dykes being sworn, said: live six
miles from Gonzales, got on the train in San
Antonio Tuesday, going west The accident
yesterday, about 8 o'clock p. M,
half mile from Eagle Pass Junction. l heard
nothing but the collision. | jumped off and
was hurt in the face.
Edward Micha, duly sworn, says: live in
San Antonio. l came with the east bound
train No. from Pinto Creek to Eagle Pass
Junction, arriving there on or about 8 o'clock
Tuesday, April 23th, 1882. About 80 min
utes after a train started from Eagle Pass
Junction west, and at night news came OF
collision. T started to the place, about one
and half miles from the Junction. When l
arrived found both engines wrecked. One
man by the name of Nelson was killed. Tom
King had his leg broken, and l helped him
to the station. One train had a light, the
other train had no light. The east bound
train in the collision had no head light. was
there Immediately after the collision.
The foregoing evidence did not satisfy the
Jury, who desired to have the testimony of
MAJOR Converse and Conductors Davidson
and Phelps, and as Superintendent Thomp-
son assured the coroner and jury he would use
all efforts to secure the attendance of Con-
ductors Davidson and Phelps on Thursday,
April 27th, the inquest was adjourned until
that time.
The adjourned inquest was held on the 18TH
ult., but the promised witnesses were not
present, but constable Bader was informed
that they were on the way. Justice Adam then
discharged the jury and issued attachments
for James Converse, Davidson, and Phelps.
The attachment was placed in the hands of
sheriff Of Kinney courtyard return not found.
On the Ist of May subpoena was issued for
Major Converse's attendance at Justice Adams
Office on May sd, which was duly executed.
The ad journed inquest was held last evening
when Major Converse failed to appear, and
Justice Adam therefore fined him SIoo for
contempt of court. The jury then returned
the following verdict That the said G.. A.
Nelson came to his death on the 25th day of
April, 1882, at 81 O'Clock p. M, about one
mile west of Eagle Pass Junction, Kinney
county, Texas, by being killed in collision of
two trains, caused by carelessness and gross
negligence on the part Of the officials Of the
Galveston, Harrisburg & San Antonio railroad
company, on the part of the road known as
the Mexican and Pacific Extension, who were
at the time Of the collision in charge of the
eastern and west bound trains"
Prof. Rote says that whipping in the COL