Martin Nelson (~1887-1910)

NELSON, HELLAND, WATNEY

Posted By: Alan Nicholson
Date: 4/30/2010 at 01:35:22

Roland Record
17 November 1910

Martin Nelson Dies by Own Hand

Son of Well Known Resident of Roland Comes Home on Monday Evenings Train, Enters Iverson Grocery Store, and Drinks Two Ounces of Carbolic Acid. Was Intoxicated Condition and Quick Work by Attending Physician Failed to Save Life, Was it Suicide or Accident

Last Monday evening, Martin Nelson, a son of T. T. Nelson, of this place, came off the train from Marshalltown in an intoxicated condition and walked directly to the Iverson Grocery Store, where he laid aside a package and then took a four ounce bottle from his pocket and drank from the contents of the same, handing the bottle to Iver Iverson, a clerk at the store, asking him to take a drink. Mr. Iverson then read on the label the words, carbolic acid, and he asked if he had been drinking poison to which the young man replied yes. This was the last word spoken as he then fell unconscious to the floor. Dr. Rice was summoned at once arriving on the scene in less than five minutes, and he did all that was in his power to save the young man's life, but he had taken such a large dose that there was no hope of saving him. He was carried to his father's home where Dr. Rice worked over him until he passed away without regaining consciousness.

The young man had not been at home for more than a year but came home on the evening train apparently to visit his father, but from indications it is impossible to tell if he came here to end his days and gain notoriety at home, or if he took the wrong bottle from his pocket, as a bottle containing liquor was found upon his person. No possible motive is known for his rash act, if he intended to end his days, but this matter will never be cleared as with his death all facts passed away with him. His death in this horrible manner is most sad and the sorrowing father and sisters are almost distracted. The young man was 23 years of age and was a sober and industrious young man until a few years ago when he became addicted to the terrible liquor habit, which ultimately resulted in ending his career.

The funeral was held from Salem church on Wednesday afternoon, Rev. Lars J. Skromme preaching the funeral sermon in the absence of Rev. Sandven. Rev. Skromme preached a very impressive and touching sermon admonishing young and old to leave liquor alone as it leads to ultimate destruction. Interment took place in the Roland cemetery.

Besides his father he leaves three sisters, Mrs. Louis Helland of Marshalltown, Mrs. Chas. Watney of this place, Miss Mabel Nelson of this place, and one brother, Theodore, whose whereabouts is not known, and Ingvald Nelson, of Highmore, S. D., besides numerous other relatives to mourn his sudden death.