The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1913-09-18
LONG WITH DOWN AND OUTS
Had Been Working at Farm North of
of Waukegan and is Supposed to have
Been Temporarily Insane at the Time |
That He Swallowed the Poison.

cold JIM Nelson, formerly an in
mate of the Kenosha poor farm, was
buried in the potter's field at Wauke-
gan this morning at the orders of the
poormaster Of Kenosha. Nelson shut
fed off this mortal coil on last Satur
day night at the county jail IN Wau-
kegan when he took a large dose Of
Paris green. It was not until late
Monday afternoon that his identity
was established. Pauper Commissioner
Jacob Saftig and Chief of Police
0 Hare went to Waukegan and identi-
fed the remains and made provision for
their burial there. Nelson had left the
poor farm two months ago and was
supposed to have been working for a
farmer north Of Waukegan. So far
as is known he had no relatives in
this section Of the country. He was a
bachelor and one brother who had
formerly lived in Kenosha died more
than ten years ago. For years Nelson
was employed at the Allen tannery,
but in recent years he had been sick
and he had spent considerable time
at the poor farm.
1t seems that Nelson had been spend
ing the last few days in Waukegan,
evidently having gone there to have a
good time. On Friday night he stay
ed in rooming house over the Will
liam Kefes saloon. On Saturday
night he returned to the place, but be-
cause of his unkemt appearance was
informed that he could not stay there.
A little later he was discovered in
front Of the saloon, apparently either
B sick or intoxicated. Assistant Chief
Tyrrell was summoned to the scene
shortly before one O'Clock and seeing
that the fellow was not well an ambul-
ance was summoned and he was taken
to the county jail where DR.. A. E.
Brown, the county physician was sum
moned.
Nelson did not talk much He said
he had eaten meal in restaurant
and afterWard felt sick. He said he
thought he would be all right in lit
tie while and seemed loath to take any
medicine. There was no indication
that he had taken poison and the ply
stefan gave him a simple remedy that
would have sufficed if he had been sim
ply i'll the way he said he was. He
appeared to be getting along all right
and the physician finally left him.
Five minutes later he was dead.
His sudden death was discovered bv
other prisoners in the Jail who raised
a commotion to attract the attention
of Mrs. Green, the sheriff being out at
the time. The dead wagon was sum
moned and the body removed to the
Conrad and Hart undertaking rooms.
Tt was not until daylight that some
greenish looking powder was found on
the victim IS coat sleeve. This was
found to be Paris green, and account
ed for his sudden death, after being
removed to the jail. No cause for sui
eide has been discovered by the
authorities.
The coroner S inquest was held Mon
day morning with Coroner ]. L. Tay-
Tor presiding. The verdict of the Jury
was that Nelson came to his death
from Parish green swallowed with sui
cidal intent.
John Cook, who runs the old Spring
farm on the Sheridan road north Of
Waukegan, threw the most light Oh
the case. He said that Nelson had
worked on his farm for the last three
months. Nelson, he said, told him he
was sixty-four years old. According
to the story he told Nelson appeared
at his place three months ago and was
very much down and out. y He said
he took him in out of charity and
gave him employment. Nelson al
ways appeared to be somewhat de-
felt mentally.
Last Friday he and Nelson drove to
Waukegan, taking in a load of pota-
toes. When it was time to return Mel
son refused to go back with him and
all that he could say would not induce
him. He finally left him here.
The thread of the story was taken
up here by man who conducts room
ing house over the Kefes saloon. He
identified the body Of Nelson as the
man who had rented room of him on
Friday night. The police told Of being