Nelson, Ed (A. E.), died 1909

NELSON

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 3/26/2012 at 19:57:53

Mysterious Death at Alcester

Our neighboring town of Alcester is very much agitated over the mysterious death of A. E. Nelson, a well known butcher of that place. His dead body was discovered Monday morning near the Northwestern track by a brakeman. Whether there was foul play or his death resulted [from] poison or other causes remains a mystery.

Source: Hawarden Independent, March 18, 1909.

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A PROBABLE MURDER
The Evidence Indicates Ed Nelson Was Assaulted
Sioux City Physician Finds Indications of Victim Having Been Struck Hard Blow

As the result of an examination by Dr. E. W. Meis, of Sioux City, of the contents of the stomach of Ed Nelson, of Alcester, who was found dead beside the railroad track the morning of March 13, the theory that he had come to his death from alcoholism and exposure was abandoned by the authorities and evidence of a proobable murder was disclosed. So conclusive appeared the evidence that the coroner's jury hast week returned a verdict finding that Nelson came to his "death by a blow or blows received in a felonious assault by persons unknown."

Although outwardly there was no appearance of a blow having been delivered, yet the stomach of the dead man showed the presence of a rupture and a large quantity of blood. The theory that alcoholism caused his death was dissipated when barely an ounce of whiskey was found in his stomach. What is considered the strongest chain in the link of evidence showing foul play, was the discovery of a quantity of smoked ham in the contents of the stomach, showing that the deceased had partaken of it within probably an hour of his death.

He was last seen alive at 2:30 o'clock on Sunday afternoon, March 14, when he started for the slaughter house to do some work which kept him there four hours. There was no ham at the slaughter house, nor did the man carry any with him, so it is considered almost certain--contrary to the original theory--that Nelson returned to his meat marked in Alcester and there received injuries which resulted in his death, probably as the result of an altercation with some persons. He procured the ham, which he ate at the meat market.

On this slender clew, State's Attorney Charles Stickney and Sheriff Gunderson, of Elk Point, started an investigation, which developed some interesting facts. They called intoo the case W. C. Davenport, ex-chief of police of Sioux City, who has had much success in clearing up murder mysteries. But Mr. Davenport has thus far failed to find the slayer of Nelson, although the circumstantial evidence is seemingly conclusive of murder. The motive for the deed appears lacking, for so far as known, Nelson had no enemies and he was not robbed. It is the theory of the officers that an altercation with an acquaintance may have resulted in an attack that caused death.

Nelson was a bachelor about 40 years of age, and has resided in Alcester a number of years. Several years ago he drank heavily but for more than a year prior to his death he abstained. He was in partnership with Ed Rosemore in the meat business and was so capable that he attended to the books and accounts and did much of the buying.

Three days before Nelson was found dead, his partner went to Wessington Springs, leaving Nelson and his helper, W. J. Franks, in charge of the business. Nelson took his meals with Franks, who with his wife, resides over the market. On Sunday, Nelson after posting the books in the shop and making out a number of orders ate a hearty dinner, in which no ham was served, and went to the slaughter house at 2:30 o'clock to render tallow. He was [illegible] at the time. This was the last seen of him alive. Examination afterwards [next several lines illegible]

The following morning his body was found lying beside the Northwestern railroad track [illegible line]. The corpse lay on its [illegible], the hands drawn up on the [illegible]. The body was half covered with [illegible], which began falling on [Sun?]day night [illegible]. The body was dressed [illegible] of clothes and shirt, [illegible] and overshoes. An examination [show?]ed that the trousers had been torn slightly at the knee. A further examination disclosed a large bruise. But the most suspicious circumstances--and this was what started the Union county officers on the investigation--[was that?] no part of the man's clothing was muddy except the [illegible] part of the coat tails and the shirt, which was pulled out at the waistband. The suspenders where they crossed in the back, were broken. The absence of mud on the clothing and overshoes, indicated that the man had been carried some distance, the coat tail dragging in the mud and the sagging weight having broken the suspenders.

Dr. Hayden of Alcester performed an autopsy. Nelson's vital organs, the heart, kidneys, brain and lungs were in normal healthy condition. Attention was next devoted to the stomach. It was evident from an exterior examination that a rupture had taken place. The stomach was accordingly expressed to Sioux City for examination by Dr. Meis, who found that the organ was apparently normal, except for the rupture. The stomach contained a pint of blood, an ounce of whiskey and the undigested ham. The latter indicated that Nelson had not met death on his way from the slaughter house.

Detective Davenport made an exhaustive investigation and found one piece of circumstantial evidence which showed that Nelson was undoubtedly in his shop the night of the killing. Four young people who attended church that night stopped in front of the Nelson shop about 9:30 o'clock. Two men came up and turned into the shop. One of the young men asked them who they were and received no reply. There is a bell over the door, which rings whenever the screen is opened or closed. The young people heard the bell ring as the door was opened and again when it was closed. No one of the four, however, was able to identify either of the two men who entered the shop. An examination of the market next morning showed no evidence of a struggle. Franks, who resides over the shop retired early that Sunday night and says he heard no noise during the night. There is no way of determining whether the two men who entered the shop that evening were Nelson and a companion or two strangers.

The coroner's inquest developed practically nothing beyond what the officers had learned and no motive was disclosed. But that Nelson was murdered is the firm belief of a majority of the people of Alcester.

Nelson has two brothers, one residing in Nebraska and one in the western part of South Dakota. The dead man lived alone in a room a short distance from his shop. His books and accounts were in first class condition.

Source: Hawarden Independent, May 27, 1909.
A portion of this article was badly smeared, and some words illegible.

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In July 1909, the commissioners of Union County offered a reward of $300 for the arrest and conviction of his murderer (Hawarden Independent, July 8, 1909). A search for "Nelson" in the Digital Archives of Sioux County for 1909-1910 did not turn up any additional information.