Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1899-01-27
Correspondent of the Tribune Writes Of
the Trial of connella, Formerly
a Dakotan.
Shot and Killed a Man at Everett and
Narrowly Escapes Being a Vic
tim of a Lynching.
Acquitted on the Trial But the Senti.
ment Is Strongly Against the
Former Editor.
Some Western Note.

SEATTLE, WASH, Jan. 17.-One of your
recent issues makes note of the fact that
John w. Connella, formerly a newspaper
man of Fargo and jamestown, had been
acquitted in this state of the charge of
murder. The item states that he had
become involved in quarrel with one
Nelson, that the latter assaulted him
with a stick and in self defense Connella
shot and killed Nelson. Many of your
readers in various parts of the country
will be interested in knowing that this
case was one of the most celebrated in
the history of Washington and that none
ever aroused more criticism and condem-
nation.
Connella was editor of a populist
newspaper at Everett and it is charged
that his writings were personal and
abusive. Nelson was a big good natured
Scandinavian who had been a target for
some Of his attacks. On the evening OF
the murder the victim stood on the side.
walk talking with a friend, when the
editor came along, stopped and began to
abuse Nelson, but the latter laughed at
him and told him to go onabout his bust
ness. Connella continued his loud talk
but was conducted away for some dist
ance by a friend who endeavored to
quiet him. According to some
witnesses he threatened this
friend by m%otioning towards his
revolver and demanding to be released;
at any rate he broke away, returned to
Nelson and renewed his violent language.
This was met by talk of the same kind
from the Norwegian and at last Connel-
Ia was pushed away so forcibly as to fall
down in tho doorway of a cigar store;
here he attempted to draw his revolver
but Nelson prevented it by tapping his
hand with his cant whenever he reached
back. There is no evidence that the
cane was used for any more dangerous
purpose. Finally it was testified that
some n in the crowd called out to Mel
SOL Kick him in the face" which Mel
0 did not try to do, but this cry placed
Connella in such great fear of his life
that he quickly secured his revolver and
shot Nelson through the body, wound
ing him SO that he died in a short time,
The case came up in a different coun
ty and before one of the pop judges
who got into office on the Landslide" OF
'96. This eminent legal light instructed
the jury substantially that no matter il
a man commenced a quarrel, if his an.
tagonist afterwards threatened him with
great bodily harm he was justified in
protecting himself to the extent of com
uniting homicide, and this resulted in q
verdict of acquittal. Val Shrek, form
erly of Bismarck, was one of the princi.
pal witness es in the case and drew plans
of the scene of the afray.
The freeing of Connella aroused the
greatest indignation all over the western
part of the state, and in Everett in par
ticular public meetings were held and
the ex-editor was warned to make him
self carce in that vicinity. 1t is ever
believed that his temperance might
lead to violence as the sentiment against
him is confined to no class or party.
The legislature of North Dakota may
be asked to follow that of Washington ir
protesting against the proposed exclu:
sion of everybody but British subjects