, 1935-11-17
new HEAD OF
TEXAS PRISON
SYSTEM dies
Dave Nelson Succurnbs
To Pneumonia Two
Weeks After Taking
Over Duties

HUNTSVILLE. Nov. I6.-lP-
Dave Nelson's enterprisine reform
program for the Texas prison sys-
ten was cut short Saturday BY a
sudden pneumonia attack which
ended his life scarcely two weeks
liter taxing over the prison man
agcrship.
s:cial rehabilitation Of the thou
SANDS OF inmates through segrega-
ton within the various branches
OF Texas vast prison system was
the keynote OF the Orange business
mans plan when he took charge
Nov. /
Dies In His Sleep
A few days ago, after he barely
had tine to familiarize himEelf
with general procedure within the
walls and on the scattered farms,
the 47-year-old executive contract
ed a cold.
That was at Houston last Mon
day. He returned to Huntsville and
went TO bed, hi condition rapidly
becoming serious. Despite the at
tentionS OF three physicians, pnsu-
monia developed. He passed away
quietly at l g. m. Saturday, dying
In his sleep.
An hour before the end he awoke
and, according to his secretary, W.
G. Watson. said:
II feel fine now. I believe I am
mu:n better"
Then he dropped off into sleep
from which he never regained con-
SSiouSneSS. A weak heart contributed
70 his failure to rally from double
pneumonia.
Members Of the family left Hunts
vie with the body Saturday morn
ing for orange. where funeral ser
vices viii BE- held Sunday at 2 p. m.
Surviving were his widow: his
mother. two sons, and three daugh-
tiers.
Nelson as manager of the prison
gystem succeeded Lee Simmons. with
wen he had served on the prison
board IN 1880. He reSiyned from
c'.airmanship o. the Texas live
s.o.k sanitary commission TO take
the post.
Jack Ellington. assistant general
manager of the system. will act as
general manager until the prison
board appoints another manager.
Planned Segregation
When he became manager. Mel
o announced that his first big
E,ob.em was TO segre5ete conv.c.S,
thus preventing first offenders from
being contaminated by association
with hardened. chronic criminals
for whom there was no hope Of re-
form.
Not only dii he bring q touch OF
military precision with him TO the
prison. but he also insisted that
al guards hired in the future be
former so,die-s-Licked from mem
bership OF tire American Legion. A
+ inner Word War veteran himself,
Nelson knew the necessity Of rigor-
Gus duties within the walls being
performed efficiently.
Nelson was born on a ranch about
Is miles from San Antonio and
often declared that he knew the
saddle before ne did arithmetic. He
scent q year in military college.
Then his father gave him q herd
OF COWS and some horses. YOUNG
Dave became a livestock trader and
earned enou7h TO send himself 70
College a second year.
Later he returned to his fathers
7 nch and entered the cotton bust
ness as CHASER and buyer.
He trained with the army in 1915
and 1917 playing center on the
championship reg.mental football
team and campaigning" with It
from the border to Fort Worth.
Then he went to France.
After the war he worked for
Lutcher Stark, Orange county
scapitalist and eventually became
head of Stark's extensive agricul-
tural. interests. He served as a
director Of the FIRST National Bank
at orange. and was connected with
the Sabine Packing company and
the Orange Products company.