Daily Kennebec journal., 1896-11-04
NELSON tai Ks.
Tells Story Of Escape and
Capture to the Journal.
Fully substantiates Every Dispatch on
Case Printed in These Columns,
Siov Told in Presence Of witnesses and
Makes Interesting Reading.

Foster Nelson, the man of whom all
Clinton was afraid to let some folks
tell it. is safe from harm under the
protecting wing of Sheriff Viles. Mel
co, arrived here at 0.40 A. NJ. today.
AS announced in the journal of TINS
morning Nelson was arrested near the
Sangeryille bridge by Deputy Sherln
Nichols of Dover. He was kept IN GUS
tody in Dover until morning when
officer Nichols started with ms man
for Waterville.
Deputy Sheriff McNally of Clintoh'
went to Dover and this morning ac-
cornpanied Officer Nichols and Nelson
to Waterville where the party were
met by Sheriff ViIes of Skowhegan.
Nelson was dressed about as de-
scribed in the Journal at the time OF
his escape from arrest with the eXcep-
ton of a new pair of oVeralls.
Nelson had positively declined to be
interviewed by reporters after leaving
Dover until he reached WaterViiie'
Here he was met by the journal man
who extending his hand said:
Hello. Foster. remember me?
well, | should say | did
You served us Il rather shabby trek
that day up at your house.
We'll, l would not have skipped out
if had not been told to-
rs what you are reported as saying
to a press representative in FoXcroft
about your paying SIS to get taway true?
Yes, sir. it is.
You are not such terrible fellow
after all are you?"
Il don't think l am half as bad as
some people that | know of are trying
to make me out to be-.
Would you have attempted to run
away from Sheriff Viles if he had been
with you out there behind the barn"
We'll, | rather think not or you
either"
Later on the train Nelson said to
the Journal, Il have not said a word
to that other reporter because he tried
to hurt me in his paper. l will tell
you all there is to it for you have used
me right. You only published what
was the fact and have read the Jour
nal and know that you told it just as
it was
Nelson then went into a detailed ac-
count of his life from a boy up. of his
marriage and the many trials he had
as poor man passed through. He said
ne was not so bad as he had been
painted by a good deal. that people
had got down on him and a few wanted
to crush him entirely. He said that
during the week after his arrest and
escape, he did not once have a rife
or a revolver in his possession. He
had been painted as desperate by
some newspaper men who were de-
Tending Deputy Sheriff McNally. He
felt that he had not been used well
for said he.
II am no desperate that goes about
the town carrying arms. same's they
say. My brother and l did not even
have a jackknife when we went away
until we got to Greenville where Wal
lace bought a knife.
In reply to the question if he feared
arrest from McNally, Nelson said that
the officer and he understood each
other and for certain reasons which
Nelson named he did not fear arrest.
Sheriff Viles was met at the railroad
station by Chief of Police Tufts and in
a few minutes Nelson was in Jail. After
ttt- 'iVN - liiht iioN s,hthNiNN NN o'''ot tiiN
Jail had dispersed Nelson. who had
refused to be interviewed by any re-
porter except the Journal man con
sented to see the latter again and the
following conversation in answer to
questions tOk place:
What is your full name, where were
you born and all that?'
Foster Nelson: ] am "a years Old; was
born and raised in Clinton. | am one of Il
family of nine. six boys and three girls
only two of us are alive now. my brother
trouble but not for stealing. I was ar
rested and tried on the charge of theft.
but was acquitted. I married Miss Jennie
Simpson of Clinton, eight years ago last
July Never have had any children.
You understand that Kelley has con-
fessed that you and he have been on
thieving raids during the past summer
Yes sir. l understand that he has.
rs that the fact?
mo. sir.
do you know that ever he has been on
such expeditions himself?"
No. sir | do not know that he has a.,
Il think a year. this very month
What did you have him to do?
''He worked on the farm and chopped
wood"
about the harnesses found in the
oats in the chamber of the ell of theT
house. how do you explain their presence
there?'
Il do not know
''You never stole them?'
mo, sir
How about the harness found on the
head scaffold of the barn?
Il do not know how it came there"
"Did you know it was there?'
mo, sir.
How about the linen and cotton goods
found in the bureau drawer in the front
room?''
II don't know one thing about it,
How do you explain the presence of
the block and rope that belonged to Mr..
Hunter. which was found at your house?"
II don't know the least thing about 1t.
I djdrnot know it was there.
''At the time Sheriff viles and went
after YOU and took you to the house
didn't you consider you were under ar
rest?"
Yes. sir
You understood that you were going gg to
Skowhegan that night. did you not?
Eyes. sir, / so understood it.
Now about your escape, will you tell
how it happened that you got away?"
II was in the sitting room and | says to
Mr.. McNally, would like to go TO the
barn and he says. All right l will go
with YOU on the road to the barn he
said. Foster. there's nothing against you
and if you will give me- worth while, |