Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1917-11-07
DEATH OF ERIK NELSON
SHOCK TO oC0MMuNITY
WeIIknoWn Wi|Imar Contractor
Meets Sad Death By
Shooting

The sad death of Erick N. Nelson,
the wellknown contractor and builder,
was a terrible blow to all who knew
him. He was man who stood high
in the estimation of everyone, a de-
vout Christian character, and known
to everyone as the soul of honor. Per-
haps the consciousness of this very
fact that he enjoyed to such large
degree the confidence of his fellow
men made his financial troubles prey
upon his mind and made the prospect
of meeting creditors without being
able to pay them seem impossible to
him, affecting his mind to the extent
that he would plan self-destruction.
Let no mortal attempt to sit in judg-
Ement.
The lifeless body was found in the
ice-house across the lake by Ed. Hag-
en- as the latter went there for a load
of ice last Thursday morning. Death
had been instantaneous. A 32-calibre
revolver was. held in the right hand
which lay across the chest, the body
being found in sitting posture. The
fatal bullet had entered his forehead.
Mr.. Hagen hurried away to notify the
authorities. He stopped at Peter Dal-
ems and telephoned Coroner Branton.
On downtown street he met Sheriff
Bonde, who hurried to the scene of the
tragedy. It was found unnecessary to
hold an inquest. A box of cartridges
was found in his overcoat pocket
which had been opened by tearing off
the corner.
Mr.. Nelson had not been in the best
of health recently. It now appears
that his building contracts had result
ed disastrously, as the increasing
prices of materials caused him big
losses:s The time was near when me-
chanics and other liens would be filed
against buildings erected unless the
bills were paid, thus causing loss to
people who had trusted him. Last
Wednesday morning he left his wife
as usual for trip to MINNEAPOLIS os.
tensib1y to see about mill-work for a
contract-H He came back on the Will
mar local at 9:15. One of his carpen-
ters, Mr.. Quickland, met him and in
quired about some work to be done.
He noticed that Mr.. Nelson acted
queerly and instead of going home cut
across to First ward He evidently
spent the, night north of the lake
battling with the desperate impulses
which beset him, as the deed had been
done in the early morning.
Erik N. Nelson was born in Scanfa,
Sweden, Nov. 10, 1852. He was mar.
ried in 1876. With wife he came to
Willmar in 1880, and has resided here
since. In 1884 he became a member
of the Swedish Baptist church, and
has since then been strong and loyal
supporter of the church, which he has
served in various official capacities
as vice chairman, trustee, Sunday
school teacher and chairman of fin.
ance committee. He is mourned by
his wife, who has the sympathy of the
entire community in her great sorrow
and by two sisters, who reside In
Sweden, besides other relatives and
friends.
The funeral was held last Saturday
at two o'clock at the house and 2: sc
o'clock at the Baptist church. The
services were conducted by Rev. Pau
Hallin, the pastor. Two duets were
sung at the church by Mesdames D
T. Carlson and Otto Eckholm. The
nall bearers were Messrs. Andrew
Thyden. J. G. Boom, Olof Ahlstrom
Oscar Linman, Renius Swenson and
P. E. Parson.