Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-02-12
1H[ GDNR|[ TRAGEDY
Hulda Nelson Stays Her Mother
With Hatchet and Then
Commits Suicide
WAS INSANE FROM ovERwoRK
Terrible Scene at the Nelson Home
When Neishbors Were Summoned -
Daughter Tied FIatirons About Her
Neck and Jumped into the cistern-
Other Iowa News.
Special to Tlmes-Republlcan

GowTfe, Feb. 12.-The murderof Mrs
Gustav Nelson by her daughter and
| the suicide of the later last evening
continues to be the sole topic of con-
yersation here. The coroner was call
ed from For. Dodge and the inquest
was rendered in accordance with the
| facts of the tragedy today. 1t is the
most terrible affair that ever happened
| in Gowrie and when the news was cir
culated about town last night that HUI
da Nelson had deliberately murdered
her mother. every one was appalled,.
The tragedy was discovered shortly
after O'Clock by Mrs. Magnus Nelson,
an. Mrs. Nelson went to the home of
her relative about the time indicated
and was met at the door by Hulda Nell
son. To Mrs. Nelson's inquiry how
her mother was feeling, Hulda replied:
i've killed mamma. Go in the kitchen
and see" Mrs Nelson saw at u
glance that something was wrong with
the girl aud rushed to neighbWs for
help, but before aid came the young
woman had tied three flat irons to
small piece OF clothes line and fasten-
Ing them about her neck. leaped head
foremost into a cis,ern,
When the neighbors arrived they
found the girls mother lying on the
floor on a few bedclothes. where she
had evidently laid down to take nap.
The daughter had evidently determined
to commit the crime while her mother
was asleep and 1t is presumed used
Ratchet with which to dead the blow.
There was terrible wound in the
temple and the ear had been cut
squarely in two. The wonans head
was in pool of blood and the scene
was sickening one. When found.
Mrs. Nelson was still alive. but che
died shortly afterwards. without re-
gaining consciousness.
Search fer the -i'l was begun at
once and somc2Ie n9sIcinS tina; the
cover to the cistern had been removed.
the suspicion that she had committed
suicide naturally arose. A rake was
hastily procured, and as IT was lowered
into the black depths 1t caught upon
something heavy. A moment later the
body cs Huldn Nelson was brought to
thu surface. Around her neck were
the fiat irons which mad held her 10
the bottom and prevented any struggle
for life. She had been in the water but
a few moments when found. but all att
tempts to revive her were without sue
cess.
Insane Thru over~ork.
Two years ago Hulda Nelson was
an active. ambitious school teacher in
the Wahkonsa school in Fort Dodge.
Ever eager to improve herself, she
overtaxed her nerves by study, and
falling mental powers compelled her TO
resign she position, and give up the
work which comprised her life. She
brooded over her misfortune until last
summer she made a desperate attempt
at suicide, which almost succeeded.
Then followed a short stay IN the asy-
lulr at Cherokee. from which she re-
turned with the hope that she was
entirely recovered. She, with her
mother, went TO visit married sister
living In Nebraska, the only other liv-
In.; member of the family. They re-
turned only week ago.
Mrs. Nelson was one of Gowrle's Old
ess residents. She was over go years
OF age. tIulda Nelson Was about 81
years old.
The sister living in Nebraska Is the |
only surviving member OF the family.
She has been notified and pending word
from her the funeral arrangements
have not been made. II is presumed
mother and daughter Will be buried in
tho same grave. 1