The Washington times., 1902-07-28
MATTER OF BAIL
FOR JOHN c. NELSON
Question to Be Argued Be-
fore Judge Love Today.
CONFIDENT OF ACQUITTAL
Special Grand jury Summoned to In
vestigate Charge of Arson-PTisoner
Refuses to Discuss Details CT His Case
Views Of Prosecution.

John C. Nelson. the alleged gambler.
charged with burning the shanties at
Jackson City, erected and used for
gambling purposes, is making re-
newed effort to get bail. and If not that
an immediate trial. He is confident o.
andria county court, has granted hear
ing TO Nelson for 10 a. m. today. when.
through his attorneys. he Will demand
bail
Another order made by Judge Love is
for a special grand jury to meet Tues
day morning and gf e immediate con-
sideration to the charges against Mel
son. II indicted he will be tried at the
present term CT court
When seen at the Fort nyer Heights
Jail yesterday Nelson appeared consid-
erably e!ated over his success in getting
Judge Love to give him hearing in the
matter of getting bail. Justice f. f.
Thompson's refusal left him depressed,
and there was a,, alternative but appeal
to the county court. Il is expected the
courthouse will be crowded when the
case IS called this morning.
Nelson declined to submit to an in
terview OF any character. He said this
was not because he objected 20 meeting
the newspaper men. but because his at
torneys, Walter Moore, OF Fairfax. Va,
and Joseph Shillington, of Washington,
had instructed him not to discuss his
case with anyone. Personally. he says.
lie mas no fear Of nrejudicing his chance
OF acquittal, as lie IS positive that he
cannot be convicted
Of Sociable Manner.
Mannerisms. affected By Nelson. are
of a character that invite sociability in
various ways. and he has many friends.
He is quiet. rather than otherwise,
though it cannot be said that he is par
ticularly reserved. When he talks his
voice takes a tone that is pleasant 10
the ear, and in fact almost musical.
As his name suggests, Nelson is 4
Scandinavian. but he has not that pale
blue eye that usually proclairs one of
his nativity. Instead, he can direct a
steady gaze from n pair of steely gray.
1t is said by his associates that those
eyes can take On a fire at times that
BODIES i'll to any so bold as TO cross his
will
The reputation that Nelson bears is
the best evidence that he is not always
as mild hammered as behavior In his
cell would indicate. Only short dis
tance from the cell there Is still better
evidence that his wrath is dangerous
That is at the Office OF the clerk of the
county court. where there are records
CT numerous times when Nelson has
been a defendant. On enc occasion the
charge was murder, the alleged victim
being u negro killed during raid en-
Nelson's gambling house at Jackson
City. special officer having warrants
TO serve pressed several colored men
into service as deputies. When they ap-
preached the gambling walls a fusiilade
was opened that dropped colored men en-
evory side. One was killed outright and
- others seriously injured Nelson
v'p later arrested. charged with the
l.. rider but vas acquitted There vas no
proof of who fred the shot that killed
the special officer.
Many Visitors Received
Many visitors are received ty the
prisoner at the Jail. Yesterday morning
his father and two friends from Wash
ington were among the callers. and
during the day there were a number of
others. He received them all very cordi-
ally. but would not discuss the details
of the charges against him with auy but
his closest friends. and even with them.
it is said. that his remarks were
guarded.
Associated with Commonwealth At
torneyS S,Iames f. Clemment in the pros
ecution OF Nelson is Edmund Burke, of
Washington. They claim to have evi-
dence that will easily result in the con-
viction of Nelson on at least one of the
counts charged against him.
One witness has been found. who. it
is claimed by the prosecution. will tes-
tify TO seeing Nelson pour kerosene on
the flames after the fire had started.
and another who saw the torch applied
to the buildings. Whether these wit
nesses will come forward and swear to
these facts cannot be ascertained with
any degree of positiveness. 1t Is feared
by the authorities that the witnesses
will hesitate encountering the wrath of
Nelson. In the event of his acquittal.
nTTD IT rTmTnn BHurm plyy