Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-07-19
Warrants for Jackson City
Man Not Yet Served.
HAS BEEN SEEN HERE
FRIENDS WANT BAIL FIXED BE-
FORE HE SURRENDERS.
Magistrate Thompson Will Not Accede
to This-Sheriff Consults
Capt. Boardman.

John c. Nelson, who is wanted in Alex
! andria county. Va. to answer charges OF
arson In connection with the destruction OF
the gambling places at jackson City Mon
day night has not vet been apprehended.
Friends OF the accused man have been try
ing to have the Alexandria county author
tiles fix bail in the case. but so far as could
be ascertained today their efforts have not
been successful.
Magistrate Thompson. who issued the
warrants on complaint OF Frank Foster.
feels that he cannot accept bail In the case.
and until Nelson is actually in custody viii
not tell what may be expected.
Upon hearing of the case" he said TO
a Star reporter. Il may find it unnecessary
to require bond. for the proof may be in
sufficient to send the case to court. Should
hear the case and hold the defendant the
judge of the county court will pass upon
the question OF bond"
Sheriff Consults Capt. Boardman.
Sheriff Palmer has consulted Captain
Boardman about the matter OF arresting
Nelson in this city. Under the law, the
police captain was informed by the ID S.
trict attorney, Nelson's arrest can be made
only when the proper papers are presented.
1t is reported that the sheriff will get re-
QUESTION papers and viii then renew the
request that Nelson be arrested. Nelson
has made no apparent effort at concealment
since the file occurred Monday night. Not
only has he been about the streets Of this
city, but he has been in jackson City and
other places in the county. Were il not
that one of the warrants charges violation
of a section of the law which prescribes
the death penalty, and under which bail
| will not be taken, friends Of Nelson say he
would return to Virginia and surrender AS
it is they think his return might be fol-
lowed by his incarceration in the county
jail at Fort Myer Heights. where he would
be at a disadvantage in preparing to de-
fend himself.
Something of Politician.
For a number of years Nelson, II is alleg-
ed, has been interested in policy and other
games in Alexandria county, where he has
become an important factor in politics. lie
is not the only follower of sporting games
in that county, II is said, who has been re-
garded as a political leader In the county.
In addition to his alleged interests In the
gambling business, Nelson conducts a big
store i'm Queen City, and has a number or
teams employed in the county.
1t is understood that he held a third Ia
terest in three of the buildings which We're
destroyed He recently became dissatisfied
at the manner in which his business WAS
being conducted and, it is alleged. went to
jackson City Monday night and applied
the torch. Three of the structures were
one-story shanties, which were used, it Is
stated, for gambling purposes. In addition
to having been occupied for such purposes
it is alleged that man who had charge OF
one of them spent his nights in one OF
them. An old houseboat near the Long
bridge was also scorched, and this, II is
said, was also occupied.
Other Alleged Lawlessness.
The destruction of the buildings and the
fnr el haS ST Of
alleged lawlessness in Alexandria county,
so far as gamblers are concerned. No eff
fort has been made to conceal the many
games in operation about the lower end
of the county, and comparatively few cases
have been prosecuted. At several OF the
resorts the doors are wide open day and
night and no one is denied admittance. The
places have apparently done a fourishing
business, and many of the so-called heelers
appear to be prosperous.
Trouble for some of the gamblers is prom
Used by friends of Nelson, and il Is pre-
dicted by some Of them that the doors Of
some of the places will be closed In the
near future. 1t is said the profits of
Jackson City firm last year amounted to
nearly 100000. OF this sum a considerable
amount was paid by the poor persons OF
this city who followed the game of policy.
Enmity of Other Gamblers.
1t is an open secret that John Nelson has
gained the enmity of some of the other
gamblers. and the latter would be glad il
they could get him out Of the county. Sew
eral years ago an effort was made to force
Nelson out of business. He was informed
by the officer who called to serve the war
rant that he (the officer was going to wind
up the gambling business in the county.
do you mean it?" Nelson inquired of
him.
Certainly / mean it, was the officers
answer.
Then I'll help you" Nelson informed
him.
Much to the surprise of everybody con-
cerned Nelson kept his word. He went
with the officer before a magistrate and
procured 136 warrants. His action startled
the gamblers, and since then Nelson has
experienced but little trouble with the Off
GERS of the law.
The outcome OF the present case is a
matter of interest to the gambling element
across the river, who fear further trouble
before the alleged arson cases are finally
disposed Of in court.