The morning times., 1896-07-12
POLICY CHIEF ARRESTED
John Nelson Finally Trapped
on District Soil.
LONG WATCH WAS KEPT
He Has Been Wanted for Months
for Policy Running From His Jack
son City Den-LOng Bridge and
Depots Continually Guarded for
Chance to Catch Him.

John C.,Nelson, who is under bonds to
appear for trial In Alexandra county, Va,
for the killing of Deputy Hines during n
| fight in Nelson's saloon in jackson City
1 last February, was arrested yesterday in
| this city OF Il Charge OF promoting policy.
The police have been looking Tor Nelson
| for some time, but the man did not venture
into the District. The authorities have
| known for several months that Nelson's
saloon in Jackson City was the headqua rters
OF the policy runners. Even before tie raid,
which ended in a IiOt and the death Of
Hines, the colorcd deputy, the police OF
this city had made n Guietinves;isation and
were only awaiting an opportunity 10 act.
From runners who had fallen IN the tolls
the information was Cleaned that Nelson
was the head man, and preparations were
made to capture him should he venture
within tile city. The police we've afraid to
communicate their plans to the Alexandria
authorities, and therefore no effort was
made to eDticc Nelson across tie bridge.
They simply bitled their time and waited
for the gambler to walk into the trap.
GOT ON HIS TRACK.
About three weeks ago 1t was learned
that Nelson had left Alexandria and gone
TO Baltimore on n visit. He was also
traced TO Colonial Beach and several other
points. Anticipating that he would re-
turn by way OF Washington, Sergt. Moore,
OF the First precinct, who has had the
case in hand and worked up the cvi-
dence, had officer Kilmartin swear out a
warrant, charging Nelson with promoting
policy.
A close watch was then set Il the rail-
road depo!s and at the Long Bridge.
Several policy runners-~ere taken into.
custody and from them additional evi-
dence was secured, and the case against
the gambler made more damaging.
Still Nelson failed 10 walk into the
trap and the patience OF the police was
well nigh exhausted. One night several
weeks ago information was received
that the Jackson City saloonkeeper had
been seen near the Washington end of the
long bridge. Sergt. Moore and Officers
Williams and kilmartin at once hastened to
the spot and remained on the watch for
several hours. Nelson failed to return,
ho wever, and tn = Officers were unrewarded,
LOCATED THEIR MAN.
Yesterday at noon telephone message
was received at the station saying that |
their man had been seen at the Pennsyl |
vania depot. Sergt. Moore. with Police |
men Kilmartin and S,enkouse, hastened To |
the station and eventually located the
gambler in II barber shop on Sixth street. |
10 the station. When told OF the charge
against him he denied /, cmphatically.
No attempt was made 10 have him con-
Tess. however. as the police have already
IN abundance of evidence against him.
Nelson was placed in a cell and the news
II his arrest spread like wildfre. The
station was besieged by Nelson's friends,
Ind strenuous efforts made to secure
'ail. This was finally fixed at $500, and
lfter some trouble the amount was raised.
nd he obtained his liberty shortly before
O'Clock last night.
Now that Nelson is In the hands OF the
Washington authorities. it is thought that
Ie will be dealt with severely. For a
onC time he has deried the Alexandria
ounty authorities. He has conducted n
live or the worst character in Jackson
|ity, and is member of the Heath
'ang, which composed the Iawless ele-
hent that has done SO much to b,acken
alexandria county. Il