The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1899-12-20
Nelson succumbs to the Wound

Nelson Succumbs to the Wound.
Nelsoa died at O'Clock Friday morn
ing from the pistol wound in the abdomen
inflicted 90 Wednesday afternoon by Thcm-
as W. Belvin. TIE body was removed
Friday morning to the house of Lilly
House, where the shooting occurred, and
Coroner Moses summoned jlry and began
the iaquest at 10 O'Clock.
The testimony of Lily House was, in effect,
that Bslvin vas sitting io front of the FIRE
asd she thought he was asleep, when be sud-
denly fred at Sallie Nelson. Salie screamed
and grabbed Beivin's arm to prevent his
shoorlng again. Lilly screamed also, think
ing Sallie had been shot. Arthur Nelson ran
into the -oem and caught hold of Belvio's
arm and be and Sellie struggled with Belvin
to get the pistol away from bin. Belvn was
under the Influence Of l!qnor, and after
struggling with him few seconds be sat
down in the chair, but continued 10 hold on
TO the pistol. Just then Warren Nelson, a
boy, ran 10 and struck Belyin in toe bead
with piece of board She was looking for
something to strike Be!vin with, but before
she could dod any thing she heard the pistol
fred again and Arthur bo.lered that ce was
shot,
The following is the testimony Of DE-. S G.
Baker ct the coroner's inquest over the dead
body Of Arthur Nelson. and the ante morsem
statement of Arthur Nelson, which was
reduced to writing by Dr.. Baker in the
presence OF Dr.. A. c.. Dick:
Dr. S. C. Baker being duly sworn says:
I was called at about 5 O'Clock on Wednes-
day afternoon, Dec. l3, to the residence OF
Lilly House in the city of Sumter to see
Arthur Nelson who was said to be SHOT.
found bin lying on bed and suffering from
bullet wound in the abdomen. told bin
that it was of very serious nature and from
the appearances would result fatally unless
an opreation should be performed and cpon
nv advice he was removed to the Baker-Dick
iafrmary, where the abdomen was opened
and the wound explored, by me with the
assistance of Drs Dick and 81 Stuckey
The bullet catered about one and three
fourth inches below the navel and one and
a fcarth inches to the left side of the middle
line Upon opening the abdomen the bowels
were found perforated in six places, and the
contents partly escaped into the abdominal
cavity. The blood vessels supplying the
bowsls were wounded 10 several places and
he had lost considerable amount of blood
prior TO the time when the operation was
performed.
The aow Of blood was checked as rapidly
as possible and such openings as could ssfely
be stitched up were so treated. a small poc-
,iol of bowel about three inches in length
was 80 badly lacerateo ss 10 require removal
and the Gods of the gut we're then brought to-
ge.her This sectioo Of bowel which vas
removed, have preserved.
In tracing the bullet it was found to have
passed out of the abdominal cavity at
point on level with tbe wound Of entrance
and about fye inches to tie lef. Of the spinal
column, where the bullet was found lodged
Just under the skin. aaviog passed ic liz
course through toe crest of the Ileuu or oip
bond. The bullet appeared to be from a 3S.
calibre pistol snd here present it TO, exam
ination
Such ipjuries are always of very serious
nature and almost always result 10 death
without an operation as was performed aud
few recover even with the operation, acd
thos Informed the man and his friends.
BE stood the immediate effects Of the opera.
tioo fairly we'll, though be was extremely
weak from the loss of blood After the
operation be was placed iu bed and cared for
out CoQtuVeu 10 grow WedheC w " tUe ttue
Of hia death, which occurred at 3 SO a. N.
December 18th, 1899 Finding that be was
growing weaker and believing that he was
going to die, obtained from him in the pres
ence of Or A G Dick the following aate NOR
ten statement. BE vas perfectly rational al
the tiue that be made it aud seened to fully
realize the seriousness of his condition. This
statemen, was reduced to writing by me aud
at the end of it l sigoed it for him, be touch
ing the pen as made bis mark, and here
append the statement as part of ny testi-
Dony.
After bis death, made post mortem ex-
animation and found that he died as result
Of the bullet wouods above described. The
foregoing is my Testimony
S. C. Baker, NJ. D.
ANTE MoRTEA STATEMENT OF AR
THUR NELSON.
was out in the back yard of the dwelling
of my sia,er. Lily House, currying horse,
when heard cistol shot coming from the
direction o: tne house. ! ran into the front