Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-06-20
JOHN NELSON, AGED MuNTER-
WILLIE MAN, FOUND DEAD IN
THIckET.
Had Lived in Little Hut Surrounded
by Trees and Underbrush for Many
Years-Was Eccentric and a Re.
cluse-ApopIexy Cause Of Death.

Lying within O stones throw or a
much travelled road, but behind ver-
liable labyrinth Of underbrush and
overhanging trees, the body of John
Nelson. an aged resident of Munter-
vile, was found yesterday afternoon.
The corpse was in an advanced state
OF decomposition and indicated that
death had occurred several days be-
fore the finding of the remains, Cor
oner F. w. Mills conducted an inquest
last night and the verdict of the jury,
which Is in accord with the judgm emit
of the people who knew the unfortu-
nate old man, was that death was
caused by natural causes, probably
apoplexy.
John Nelson was a character the
equal of whom is seldom seen. Years
ago he was a well-to-do jeweler in an
Illinois town but he lost control Of his
mental faculties little by little until
he became entirely irresponsible at
times. Coming to Iowa he soon be-
came part of the little settlement Of
Munterville. During all of the time
he lived there, nearly forty years, he
was looked after by the good people
of the little settlement, who fed him
and clothed him. Occasionally, years
ago, he would mend clocks and
watches, before his hands forgot their
cunning. He protested an ability to
cure diseases, too, and for several
years he practiced the old heroic
blood-letting surgery with a skill that
sustained his boasts. AS the years
passed, however, his eccentricities got
more and more control of his faculties
and he became almost a recluse.
Friendly farmers gave him deed to
quarter of an acre Of land and built
house upon 1t. There he lived for
many years, alone and hidden from
the world. Even people who passed
by on the road twenty yards from the
little cabin could not tell of it's exist.
4 ence, for heavy thicket of trees
and underbrush completely sur.
rounded the place and the old
man had to crawl under the bushes to
reach his door. He lived peaceably
along, asking nothing but enough to
eat and wear, and this was given him
gladly, for everyone in and near Nun.
terville knew and liked him.
But there was a story of hidden
riches that was told about the old
man. How he obtained money no one
could tell, but it is said that he regu
larly paid the taxes on the little piece
of land where he lived and that in lu
cid moments he talked Of having
means enough to keep him from star
walton. Now that he is gone this story
is recalled, and there is talk of the
possibility of finding, sometime, bur
led somewhere on the little homestead
plot, the fortune for which John Mel
son worked and which he was never
able to enjoy.
The body was found yesterday after
noon by Charles Burnstedt. 1t was ly
/ ing on the ground just in front Of the
door to the little hut. The posture Of
the body indicated that death had oc
cured instantly and without pain, and
that it had probably been due to apo
| plexy. Mr.. Burnstedt notified Coroner
F. w. Mills, who drove to Munterville
last evening with F. L. Daggett, took
charge of the remains and conducted
an inquest
Mr.. Nelson was last seen alive early
last week by the people of Munter
/ vile. He had been missing since
Wednesday, but as he was in the habit
of remaining at his little home fol
days at a time the fact was not no
ticed until yesterday Mr.. Burnsted1
determined to make search for hin
and found him dead.
| The aged man was never married
and was practically alone in the world
His old friends took charge Of the re
mains and the body was buried today
in the Munterville cemetery.