The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-10-17
APPEAL TO THE LAW.
Johnson Swears Ont a Warrant
for Nelson's Arrest.
LETTER FROM Mr.. ToLLEFsoN.
He Tries to Explain Why Prosecution
Was Delayed-Organizatio of
the Orphanage.

I Of relief on reading in the Post-Intelli-
gencer yesterday morning the disclosure
OF the shocking deprav!ty OF Nelson, the
manager of the Norwegian Lutheran Or
I phanage al Poulsbo. They were relieved
{ that the scandal so long hanging over the
! institution in mere rumors had been re-
duced 70 facts. More than one expressed
satisfaction that the results had been in
vestigated and the results made public.
Now II Will ali come out" they said.
What this al may he can only be
guessed at. probably until the trial OF
Nelson. a result Of the Post-Intelligencer 8
investigation that is now assured. John
Johnson. the father of the victim OF Mel
sons brutality. returned to this city from
Sidney yesterday afternoon. and told the
result OF his visit TO J. r. Yakey, the
prosecuting attorney of kitsap county.
Dir. Yakey heard his story the evening
previous. but il implied so serious 4 crimi-
nal charge that he hesitated. Mr.. Claus
sen. a native Of Poulsbo. CHANGED, however,
70 be working on the new courthouse at
Sidney. He was sent for. and mad 10 re-
iuctance whatever in vouching for Mr..
Johnson and his belief that his story was
true. as Mr.. Claussen possessed some
knowledge Of the inside working OF the
PouishO orphanage. Upon this a warrant
was handed TO the sheriff for the arrest
/ OF Nelson, and Mr.. Johnson returned 10
this city. He came in on me boat Gen.
{
the Office of the Rev. s r. Tollefson. the
secretary of the oTphanage Both left on
the same boat for Sidney at O'Clock.
when a reporter called upon Rev. S. r.
Toiiefson yesterday morning he was
handed the following:
A Letter From Pastor Tollefson.
Seattle Oct. Is, 1925.
'"To the Editor: In the account given by
your reporter in your issue of today of
Jens Nelson's crime there are several err.
rors. some of which ] wish particularly 10
have corrected. especially those under the
heading. Why Prosecution Is Delayed
There IL is stated that they had not YET
begun any investigation of his criminal
intimacy with other girls at the orphan
age etc. That statement implies gross
carelessness on our part and we owe it to
ourselves and the orphanase TO have il
corrected.
My statement was TO the effect that we
were not prepared TO make any statement
concerning this part of the matter. Later
in the interview I stated that your report
or might state that Nelson had confessed
himself guilty of Illicit intimacy with some
of the other girls. But we were not salts
fed as to its extent. ! also stated that the
facts of the case would become known a
the trial. The fact is that we Immediately
commenced to investigate the matter
In regard TO Rev. Langeland. men
that Constance johnson asserted positive
~, in the presence of five witnesses, that
no one but Nelson was guilty of criminal
intimacy with her.
THE insinuation at the end OF the article
that Nelson's defense is prepared in ad
vance on account of Nelson's weak mind
is false. Nelson has not a strong mind;
and the fact that his father killed himself,
and the late tragedy in Poulsbo, has
caused us to move carefully in the prem
Uses. But justice must and shall have its
course. Your truly.
IS. r. TOLLEFsON."
Mr.. Toliefson'S illusions.
In this Mr.. Tollefson makes no reference
10 the absence OF his brother. the president.
given as one reason for the delay. He
said that he did not expect his brother TO
return until Christmas, yet three letters
had been written 10 him in regard to the
orphanage scandal lie did state that the
facts OF the case would become known at
the trial" As OF course they Will. and it
was a natural inference that he meant that
these facts would become known without
any assistance from the officials of the or
phanage. In regard to Rev. Langeland,"
and in justice 10 that gentleman. there
was not word in the report that sIggest-
/ ell his criminal intimacy with C0nstantia
! johnson, 50 that NJ. ToAefson doth pro-
test too much in behalf of Poulsbo's pas
/ tor.
As 70 what the reverend gentleman calls
an insinuat!on. his exact words were: I'VE
( are wiifully slow about IL ian investigation
/ because We fear that IL we should rush the
/ thing now, Nelson could not stand IT, as
/ he is weakmminded. so we let things take
/ Their course, and in due time shall pre-
pare the case. ] do not think we can take
/ any action. We have left that to the faith
/ CT ~ the girl"
Nelson's fathoE did commit suicide. in
n interview yesterday morning did not
state. The late tragedy az Poulsbo' has
/ reference 10 the case Of Mr.. HoeSmark
an upright merchant 90 Pousbo the pri-
( vacy Of whose domestic relations was ruth
/ lessly dragged before the church. 50 afiict-
/ ing his sensitive nature that he cut his
throat
Not Informed About the Orphanage.
! Before seeing Mr.. Tonefson yesterday
morning the reporter called upon F. O.
/ Rtndai. who figures as the treasurer Of the
! orphauagc and asked for some inf1rma-
! ton as to the affairs OF the institution
Mr. Ein6sl had no information 10 give
and no very good reason why. He refer
rsf the reporter - Mr.. TOllefSOn, who re-
/ ce.Vei all the money. NJ. Tollefson refer
/ red the reporter, Tor an official account 70
/ the treasurer. i Was arranged that the
two officials should confer together and
/ give statement ia the afternoon. They
I Nll CONFER tAt even AftNT THIS the treas
4 urer could not state what property or
1 moneys or debts were transferred 70 the
+ association at the time IL was Incorporated
/ and ne was elected. nor what had been ex-
/ pended since, nor what had been received
/ IN subscriptions.
Nelson's Cruelty TO Children.
Rev. : r. T7llefsou was asked Yesterday
/ morning how long ne had been aware that
/ Nelson was weak-ml1ded. Ha said that
+ ha held that opinion Tor some time bur
{ thst he. that 10 ono. had suspected ne
! coHl1 hc guilty ~ tho crime he IS now
+ charged with. "Y1a seem 10 3nsgnvste 90
I he said. "tl2t there has been earelczs.ess
+ rs selecting the people 20 hsve charge Of
/ the oTphanage. aut those who know any
I thi1E about thc home Viii testify Thar W.
/ o~ed he utmost care and caution in se.cet-
/ iH- tarw- The only complaint that has
/ Hee- ul43e against Nelson IS that he was -
a hAsty temper, and that when ne has
( punished some ~ the children he has done
. SIS rather harShiy. and nor as wisely as be
! should have done
/ This volunteer testimony bears nu- Tho
/ very much talked of charge Of cruelty a.
/ Nelson 20 the orphans. u - said that
/ h@ aas beaten them hack and b.ue" on
j tnN uost trivial pre:auses. ON one oo,7-
/ sion. 81 is satt. Be heat several FOR even
/ looking q; a hascha3 game On sunday
! When asked a. - tae people selected
I Nith such care sui caution Mr.. -ol1efSo,
I
/ No Coal /