The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-05-27
Sensational Affair in the
Town of Monroe.
Domestic Trouble, Divorce
and Vandalism Figure.
Blacksmith Nelson Alleges That He
Was Given Dose OF Poison.

MOnrOe, Mc., May 80 piB ochs"eiNh
is agitating this village just at present.
One of the most striking features In the
affair, which possesses several elements of
unusual interest, is the allegation that
Lewis Il. Nelson of Monroe has been saved
from death by poison only by the
prompt efforts of his physician. The an
nouncement has greatly shocked all the
citizens, for Nelson, who Is the village
blacksmith, is an extremely popular young
man, and IL enineshed in other dlfncultles
of an extremely trying nature.
It has been difficult for many people TO
credit the report that Nelson's sudden and
alarming illness was due to poison.
But DIR. c. +. Atwood of Winterport
said yesterday to reporter that when
called to attend Nelson no found him
suffering from what closely resembled i'll
ness caused by poison. From an analysis
of the substance elected from Nelson's
stomach the doctor found unmistakable
traces OF arsenic
Attempt to Wreck Hotel.
More or less intimately connected with
the case Is the attempted wrecking of the
village hotel by raid of unknown White
Caps, as well ms separation and divorce pro-
coedings in one of the best known families
in Monroe. Furthermore, the village
physician has been repeatedly threatened
The circumstances of Nelson's alleged
poisoning were dramatic, for the whole
village flocked to his home and listened
to his Qroans He had gone to his work as
usual in tho morning, although he did
not feel well.
"For seven or eight days, 4" he said, II
had vomited at intervals soon after meals.
also had a burning sensation i'm my
stomach and other symptoms that / did
not understand at tho time, though my
physician has since told me that poison
produces these effects. On the day of my
worst attack commenced TO vomit about
. o'clock. while at work in my shop. l
got home rs best could, and people sent
for doctor. -
Nelson was In his yard when the attack
finally Frustrated him, and neighbors
came hurrying To the place from all parts
of the village He remained unconscious
for several hours, but was recovering
slightly when DIR. Atwood arrived from
Wfnterpert, 10 miles -away.-IAe- -deeter
says 81 asked Nelson il he had taken
any kind of poison. / knew he had been
having domestic troubles, and my first
Thought was that no had attempted
suicide. But he assured me to the con-
trary Later l analysed some of the con-
tents OF his stomach, and detected the
presence of arsenic. He is still weak and
complains of pain or burning in his
stomach, though he Is gradually recover.
ing
A Lack OF Harmony.
Nelson is a muscular, quiet, industrious
man of 30. His pretty wifo is "a years old,
and they were married when she was lit
tie more than child. There has not
always been perfect harmony between the
pair and "A few Years ago they separated
after quarrel Through the mediation
of friends, however, the matter was
notrhpb nm mud tho Nalqpps IiypI nppnr-
emily In entire peace until year ago.
The young blacksmith, 10y dint of indus
try and frugality, purchased home, fur
nished 1t comfortably. provided hired help
for his wife, and appeared to be getting
"forchanded.
About a year ago. DR. jeremiah l.. Cur
ts, widower with one daughter, pur
chased the practice Of tho village doctor
and settled here. He had n pleasing pres
ence, and soon gained the reputation of
teing very successful. Hc was called to
attend Mrs Nelson, who was subject TO
frequent attacks OF illness, and soon be-
came more intimate with the blacksmith
and his wife than with any other persons
In tho village. Nelson made much of the
doctor and as TIE latter was a stranger
In town the young complies comfortable
home was welcome change from tho
Loneliness of his room at the hotell
Took Mrs. Nelson to Ride.
The doctor occasionally took Mrs. Nell
son out with him for an airing when he
went ON short trips into the country, and
MS the young woman was not in good
health, her husband was pleased To have
the doc or show her these little attentions.
The fact tnHt the neighbors evidently
misiudged or put wrong constructions on
the doctors Intimacy with the family did
net eeme- tn -Aalannls s ears until rncen1ly.
Then he asked tho physician 60 stay away
Il cbeerfully agreed 20 this, y said DR.
Curtis TO the reporter, FOR my friend
ship was, and has been, only that of
physician for his patient Ely aoquaint-
anceship with the Nelson's grew So gradu-
ally into friendship that did not realize
the matter was stirring up the scandal
mongcrs
"Aftor discontinued my visits TO the
Nelson home Mrs. Nelson came To tho
hotel 10 consult me and To get medicine
Certain people spicd upon her actions
though these were entirely proper. From
thosa visits TO mo rs N professional man
thcy fabricated most unwurrantablo and
false imputation. / most earnestly de-
clare, both for myself and Mrs. Nelson,
that the charges against us are only base
scandals. The people who have under
takon this campaign aro bent on our
ruin.
A cnmpaign it certainly is Nelson.
who claims that he has detected too great
familiarity between DIR. Curtis and his
wife. has nearly all tho villagers Of
Monroe as his active adheronts. Three
times have mobs collected to publicly
chustisc tho doctcr, who. 30 he allrms, has
waited for them 30 attack him, and has
nor sought 60 ran away. - ann fully
armed, he says "and propose - pro-
tcct myself against any outlaws who may
assault or insult me. Whenever | have
been warned 90 leave town have doib-
eratcly remained and attended 60 my
duties.
Ordered 10 Get n Divorce.
When Mrs Nelson continued to pny
visits 90 the doctor, her husband ordered
her. so he stairs Co apply for divorce
within % hours or he shnnll takr tho