Arkansas State press., 1949-08-26
SHOT BY POLICE n
ARREST ATTEMPT
An Officer Shot In
Gun Battle With !
Aged Negro Victim

sSesvsW
James Nelson, 50, was -
verely wounded by bullets from
the guns of state and city po-
lice Saturday at his home 10
Gated in the vicinity Of 3lse
and Valentine streets. From
his hospital bed Monday, Mel
son said:
I was only trying to Get
something done about Lee Shsp-
herd. went to Mr.. James MI
am and asked him II he woulA
do something about 1t, and I
told him that Y that had ben
a white child. they would ri
something done. Then I went 10
Mr.. g. G. Bunch. and asked N
II he would help ct somethine
done. Mr. Bunch's brother, J. n.
Bunch. entered the discussion a.
cursed me. and l cursed him bsek
When asked II he had seen Shep-
herd recently. Nelson said, II sav
him almost every day until I cana
here" tthe University hospitaD
Lee Shepherd Is the white MAJ.
about 80 years old. alleged By 4
number Of people to have attempe-
ed the rape Of q i4-year-old coloe-
ed girl on or about July Il. n
girl, In company with another ~
year-old colored girl. her two
smaller brothers. and her mothsR,
had been fishing. The youths ~
the older folk and started home
Shepherd Is said to have see,
them. followed. and caught up witt
them, and threatened them with
gun, until the escape of one O
the boys compelled him TO rela,
his vigilance on the girls and
gave them also a chance to escape.
A white MAJ in the neighborhood
stated that he was with Shepherd
when he saw the girls and that
Shepherd had told him his inteu-
tons. but that he thought Shep-
herd was Just talking"
Details OF the shooting as given
by the various ncighbors were
somewhat confused and contradie-
tory. II is clear that the police
arrived In answer to a call from
one Of the white people and that
Nelson went into his home, arm-
ed himself, and refused TO suh-
NIT to arrest. In the exchange a
fire. one officer was shot.
The story Of the shooting down
OF the old man a. given By Wit
ncsses centers around his worda
i was only trying to get sometime
done about Lee Shepherd"
Shepherd. Is said to have ben
In hiding since the affair, and Of
Ulcers and citizens have been un-
able to apprehend him although
some citizens claim 10 have sesn
him. A white man Is said to have
offered the Negro girls mother
% dollars not to appear against
Shepherd. Shepherd himself n
said to have been convicted az
several crimes or rnisdcmcanora
before this.
Old NeiGhbors Give NeIsen Goa
Name
Harry Stone, who celebrated his
10th birthday Sunday. said that he
had known Nelson ten years and
had never had any trouble with
him. We always got along fins
together" he said. He also stated
That he and Nelson shared coffee
of mornings.
BY the accounts Of the varjous
white neighbors, Nelson Is the on.
~ Negro In the vicinity. They
state that he bought the place
from a white man long ago, and
that his house was the first build.
ing In his immediate neighbor.
hood. White residents IN the clustcr
OF buildings around him are said
by old settlers 10 have moved
there after Nelson had established
his residence. The older settlers
are as a general rule friendly "a
Nelson and expressed no hostility
to him. Some Of the more recent
corners speak Of him % q squat.
ter and point out ~ defects II
his dwelling.
Bs1let Holes Cover House.
His house bore mute evidence
Of the Saturday battle. Bullet holss
were spaced closely together on
the front side from top to bottom
and from left 10 right Every foot
Of space was searched by Iced.
putlet hnlas shov,rd that t..1t.es