The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-07-06
NELSON Vale DIES TODAY
Will Be Hung at Noon for the Muir
der Of Alexander Jackson.
Story of the Crime-The Doomed Nam
Quarters Formerly Occupied by
Smell, He Asks to Go Back to the
Cell Where He WINS Converted.

Nelson Vale, colored, will be executed
IN the District Jail today about the hour
OF noon. for the murder of Alexander
jackson, also colored, on Sunday, January
IL last The condemned man and his vic
tim had been friends and neighbors for a
long time. but quarreled about a woman,
who was living with Vale. The latter
warned Jackson to keep away from the
house where the woman lived, but he did
not heed the warning. On the night be-
fore the murder was committed. upon
Wales returning from work, he found
Jackson at his house talking to the wo-
man, whom the former claimed as his
wife. Vale then told Jackson that II he
again spoke TO the woman he would light
up his street. meaning that he would
kill him.
Jackson went away from Wales house,
and the latter went to a nearby store on
the Tenleytown Road, and procured
pistol and bottle of whisky. The two
men, however. did not meet again until
the next day at about 1890 p. m. The
houses in which the two men lived were
thirty or forty feet apart. on the Ten
leytown Road "a little after noon Jack
his home and when he saw him, Vale,
also went out upon the highway. Vale
then renewed the quarrel which he started
the night before, and on Jackson showing
a disposition TO avoid trouble, he abused
him in the most vile language he could
command. AS result of the abuse heaped
upon him by Vale, Jackson picked up a
stone and threw it al Vale. The missile
Few wide of its mark, and Vale continued
his abi;se Of Jackson. The latter then
threw another stone, which struck Vale
in the side.
Those who saw the stone thrown stated
al the trial that II could not have hurt
Vale 1t angered him, however and also
gave him an opportunity to carry out his
threat to Kill Jackson, for he Immediately
drew the pistol with which he had armed
himself the night previous and fired 1T
Jackson. The latter fell to the ground
a bullet having pierced his brain. jack
son was taken 10 the Georgetown Uni
yerstty Hospital, where he died in a few
hours after he was shot
After Vale was convicted his attorneys
and friends appealed to the President 10
commute his sentence to Imprisonment in
the penitentiary. but the petition was, on
the recommendation OF the Attorney Cen
eral. denied. Since then Vale has given
up all hope Of life and turned his thoughts
to religion. During his confinement in
the District Jail he has been visited daily
by the Rev. John Roberts, and frequently
by the Rev. Mr.. Howard, both OF whom
90 missionary work at the Jail.
Few days ago Capt. J. II. Harris. Ward
en- OF the jail. removed Vale from cell /
no. 10, in which he was confined. TO
cell No. "a, that recently occupied by Ben
famine n Smell, who was executed on
friday hast This change was made be-
cause the latter cell is very large and
"sraeh harris believed Vale would find
ii more comfortable
vale, however, did not find the cell a
comfortable abode, and SO informed ward
en- Harris whom he asked to allow him
10 return To cell No 10 Vale said he
would be happier there for his few re-
maieins Gays because II was there that he
frr turned to God and received forgive
ness for his sins. The request was grant
cd by the warden and Vale slept last night
In his Old cell.