The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-07-07
WALES DELIBERATE CRIME.
Story of the Cold-Blooded Murder of
Alexander jackson.

The crime for which Nelson Vale pait
the penalty with his life on the seat
fold was as deliberate a murder as wa:
ever committed in the District The crime
was prompted by Jealousy, and for sev-
eral days prior to its execution had been
planned by the murderer. With the lon
cunning of his nature. however, Vale had
decided to irritate Jackson into making an
attack upon him, SO that. possibly, he
might escape the consequences of the
crime which he had decided to commit. He
was successful in causing Jackson to at
tack him, but reckoned without his host
when he believed that the proyoca;ion TO
kill him was sufficient in the eyes of the
law to excuse him from the consequences
of the taking of the life of his fellow
man.
Vale and Jackson lived near each other
on the Tenleytown Road and both were
common lsborers. the latter being employ
ed in connection with the construction of
the electric railroad to Rockville. For
several years Vale had been living with
q woman named Mary Ellis whom he
claimed as his wife. Several days before
the murder Of jackson. Vale was suspi-
cious on account of rumors he had heard
that Jackson was too familiar with Mary
Ellis. On Friday evening. January IL
last, when Vale returned from work he
found Jackson al his house in conversa-
ton with the woman. He was displeased
and warned Jackson that in the future he
must stay away from the premises, and
said to him that If he ever again found
him talking to Mary Ellis he would light
up his (Jackson's) streets Jackson it
appears, paid no attention. to this warn
ing, for again on Saturday afternoon when
Vale returned home from his work he
To- IN, .fnv, f-h ~
woman. Vale thercupon told Jackson 10
keep out OF his way as he did no; mind
killing niger. Jackson laughed at
this, but went away.
According to the testimony given at the
trial last March. after Jackson went away
Vale left his home and went TO neigh
boring store, where he procured pistol
and also bottle of whisky to brace him up
to the sticking point, or rather TO the
shooting point. Nothing more. ii appears,
took place between the two men on Sat
urday afternoon. About midday on Sun
day however, both men appeared in the
roadway in front Of their respective homes.
which are not more than thirty or forty
feet apart. As soon as Vale saw Jackson
he said TO him:
Say. Jackson. do you want to see me?"
To this jackson replied: No"
Vale, however. was pretty deep in his
cups, ana rearing tnat he would lose his
opportunity to carry out his threat of
lighting UP Jackson's streets" he began
to abuse him In the most violent language.
According to the testimony of several
witnesses, Jackson stood the abuse for
some time. and then picked up a stone
from the roadway and hurled il at Vale.
II missed its mark, however but this only
seemed further to irritate Vale, who in
creased the volume of his abuse. Jackson |
thereupon picked up another stone, which |
he threw at Vale, striking him in the side |
without waiting for any further demon |
stration on the part OF Jackson, Vale drew !
from his pocket the pistol with which he |
had armed himself the night before and |
fred. The bali struck Jackson in the |
head and passed through the brain He |
fell TO the ground and was taken TO the |
Georgetown University Hospital. where he |
died about four hours after receiving the /
wound.
While this was going on Mary Ellis was
In the doorway Of the Vale house.
She cried out to Vale: "oh, Nelson, what |
have you done7' Turning TO her, Vale
calmly replied: II killed that niger on
account Of you" Mary Ellis replied sim
ply: You're q liar" and turned and walk
ed back into the house.
After his conviction Wales attorneys,
Messrs. Hewlett and Walker, made a mo-
ton for Q new trial. This was overruled
By Justice CIabaugh. An appeal for COM
OF sentence was made to the
President This was denied. on the rec
OF the Attorney General.
who. at the direction OF the President, had
Dxamined the full record Of the case.