The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-03-18
Woman A1 t Awful
Charge Against
R.,sss5l Rstsae 'ssh0od and
A Accused Lies Several
Months in Jail-Thirteen
Years Daughter, Who is
Alleged Victim, Sentenced
to State Industrial School,
But Stay of Execution is
Granted.

That James Fl. Nelson, teamster
of 846 East Main street, has been
lodged III the county Jail since Dec.
5, in default of $4,000 bail, on a
charge trumped up by his wife in a
spirit of anger, was the sensational
disclosure, made during the trial, in
chambers, of his 13 years old daugn-
ter, Mary, in the city court today.
Nelson will be discharged from
custody within a day or two, as soon
as States Attorney Judson has an
opportunity to perfect arrangements
for his release. It was also disclosed
that the arraignment of the girl as
an tncOrrigible child was the result
OF Judson's investigation into the cir
cumstances surrounding the home
life of the little girl
Mrs. Nelson has admitted that her
testimony was false, and by her ad-
mission leaves herself liable to prose-
too, admits that her testimony against
the father was false. Nelson is 45
years old. Had the woman and child
repeated in the Superior. court the
same testimony they gave in the city
court, it is more than probable that
he would have received a prison
sentence SO long that he would end
his days behind the walls of the
Wethersfield institution.
When Nelson was about to be ar
raigned at the last term of the Su-
perior court, States Attorney Judson
and Prosecuting Attorney A. -, De-
Laney who prosecuted tie case in the
city court, say they were dumbfounded
when Mrs Nelson, whom they ques-
toned as a preparation for the trial
of her husband. told them her mem
ory had failed her. When they press
ed her further. She refused TO dis
Surprised at this unexpected turn
of affairs, the States representatives
asked the court to postpone Nelson's
trial. Attorney John p. Gray was
assigned by the Superior court to de-
fend Nelson. Gray happened to be
in the city court when the wife and
daughter testified against the prison
er. He was so impressed with the
Overwhelming testimony that he adj
vised Nelson to plead guilty and
throw himself upon the mercy of the
court. you'll get SO years, Nelson,
guilty and ask the courts mercy.
Perhaps you'll escape with 10 years" :"
The idea of Nelson's innocence
though the prisoner protested it, did
not impress Gray at all. But Nelson
such an awful charge when there was
no reason under heaven why he
should.
Nelson had been working steadily
for dozen years for s. e. Dowd,
truckman. He declares that every
Saturday night he gives his wife his
pay envelope, unbroken, and gets
from her during the week such small
amounts of change as he needs. He
professed his amazement at the
charge. and even now says he can't
understand why 1t was trumped up.
Mrs. Nelson lost her nerve when it
came time to testify in the Superior
court. At length she admitted that
she had no recollection of her testi-
mony in the city court, and explained
this startling statement away by the
fact that she had been drinking
heavily several days before she caus-
ed her husbands arrest.
Nelson's little daughter told story
so apparently truthful and sincere
that the auditors in the city court
room on the morning of Dec. shud-
dered at the atrocity Of the alleged
crime. He raised his voice in feeble
defence Of his innocence but the
shock Of the allegation had complete
ly unnerved him. Without much
waste of time, he was held for the
Superior court.
Nelson has been behind the bars
now for nearly three and one half
awaiting trial.
mother brought the child into the
city court today in answer to sum-
mons from the office of Prosecutor
Delaney. Mrs. Isaac Burgess, the
probation officer of the court, has
been investigating the conditions at
the Nelson home. She recommended
that the child be taken from the in
f1uence of her mother. Prosecutor
Delaney outlined the circumstances
Of the case to Judge Wilder, who is
sued an order for her commitment
to the State Industrial School at Mid
dIetown. Later Prosecutor Delaney
asked for a stay of execution of the
sentence that relatives in New York
who have previously interested them
selves in the child, may have an op-
to take her as their ward.