The Dickinson press., 1917-08-11

Armed Win oU-0U rlIle anu uu-
lng OuL IN u Orusil cuulee, rnllup Mel
son created quite a little excitement
out in Dunn county Tuesday and We'd
nesday, but surrendered to a sheriff g
posse after several ShotS mad been ex-
changed. A bullet from hlgh-pOW-'
cred rifle in the hands Of deputy
passed close to Nelson IN his hiding
place and he quickly walked out with
mis- hands above his head, and ended a
rWenty-hour exciting chase.
Nelson is a bachelor, about 80 years
Of age, and has been living on farm
southwest OF tayette Tor Inc past hve
years. Monday morning neighbors
went to killdeer to confer with off,
Gals and accused Nelson of killing a
cow belonging to Attorney w. r.
Blume of this city, and also Of the
theft Of mower. On Tuesday
States Attorney Johnson started to
the Nelson farm to investigate the
charges and met Nelson on the road
between Manning and tayette. The
official told Nelson that his neighbora
were complaining of his conduct and
Nelson immediately mounted his
horse and started for home, saying
that he was gong to get a gun and
do some shooting. The states attor-
ney, who was accompanied by his sis
ter and Druggist Meredith OF Kllldeer,
followed but Nelson arrived at his
home much quicker by cutting across
the prairie, and when they ar4vcd up
on the scene, along with neighbors,,
Nelson had armed himself, set fire
to all of the buildings on MS farm,
mounted his horse and rode away.
Fearing that he would make good his
threat and harm some OF the neigh
bors or destroy their property, he was
quickly pursued by posse Of men in
charge Of Sheriff John Bang and Dep
uty Sheriff VIM. Dawes, who had been
summoned from Manning by tele-
phone. A number OF 1aimc.s also
gathered and aided in the search. Dur
ing the night Nelson emerged from
his hiding place and started prairie
fire In f. A. Little's pasture, anu W 4len
the searching party was attracted to
this blaze he succeeded in setting fire
to the barn on W. r. blume's Iarm
and again made his getaway, although
the tenant on the farm, Dan Wanko,
fired one or two shots at the fleeing
man with shot gun.
A close guard was kept on adjoin-
ing farm property during the night
but Nelson did not reappear, and at
daylight the search was resumed. A.
, member Of the posse noticed the
brush moving in a coulee and fired a
shot, and Nelson responded with sew
eral bullets which came very close to
the sheriff and members of the posse.
Shortly afterward Nelson surrendered
and he was taken to Manning and
lodged in Jail.
The damage on Attorney Blume's
farm will amount to around $6OO.00s
and perhaps more if the stone walls
Of the barn are damaged so that they
will have to be relaid. About 35 tons
of hay were destroyed, along with 20
tons of hay and new wagon belong
ing to Dan Wanko. All of Nelson's
buildings were burned to the ground
The trouble in the neighborhood
arose few weeks ago when a cow
was missing from the Blume farm.
A search was made through the pas
lures adjoining and the carcass OF the
COW was found about, week ago mi
nus the hide. On, Sunday night last
a mower was stolen from Melvin Tom
tens home and it was later tracked
to Nelson's farm and identified, al
though it had been treated to a coat
of fresh paint which was hardly dry.
Neighbors then complained to the of
fcials and Nelson evidently thought
he was up against the strong arm of
the law and decided to go on a RAM
page that might have resulted seri-
ously. It was at first thought that
he had suddenly become insane and
after he was captured the officials
preferred the insanity charge against
him first, and at the hearing Wednes-
day he was declared to be Of sound
mind.
Nelson freely admitted, after being
questioned by officials, that he had
killed Blume's cow, stolen Tomten's
mower, and also that he had set frt
to his own buildings and burned tbs
barn on Blume's farm. Attorney
Blume was called by telephone to his
farm Tuesday afternoon and spent tht
night with neighbor near his place
He states that, while he never hal
lany serious trouble with Nelson, hi
i was Of an aggressive nature and tina,
]. a great many Of the neighbors wers
}, oftentimes in minor trouble with him
j and some feared at times that ha
!. would do them or their property SOM
4 injury. Attorney Blume; Is loss