Nelson, James - insane - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

Darlington, Jan. 29—This morning Sam Nelson, who has been working for Newt Campbell, four miles northwest of this place, became violently insane and unmanageable. Mr. Campbell called in some neighbors to assist him but it became necessary to call Ree Miller who shackled and removed him to this place where he now lies in a very serious condition at the town hall. No cause is assigned for his condition, it not having been known that he ever before showed signs of dementia. He is about 25 years of age and a brother of Dave Nelson of Crawfordsville. Should he recover sufficiently he will be removed to Crawfordsville, but at present is lying unconscious and in a very precarious condition. He has been in the employ of Mr. Campbell for some time and was a young man of good habits.

Later—Nelson’s legs were untied awhile as it thought he was too ill to do any harm, but he suddenly came to, jumped up and made his escape from the room, rushing out into the street, where he secured a club and began to make it interesting for those in pursuit of him. Over a hundred joined in the scuffle and Nelson, who is a very large and strong man, kept them at bay for several minutes before he was again secured and tied up so he could not possibly get away.

Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal Friday, 7 February 1902

James Nelson, who became violently insane at Darlington last week and threatened to clean up the village, and who was brought down to this city and incarcerated in jail, was up before the mayor last evening on an affidavit filed by Newton Campbell, living near Darlington, charged with having assaulted Mrs. Campbell with intent to commit a rape. Nelson entered a plea of not guilty and his trial will come up before the mayor next Tuesday. It is believed by the authorities that Nelson is only feigning insanity to cover his alleged assault on Mrs. Campbell. He worked for Campbell on his farm and it is stated that he had never been subject to crazy spells before last week. Nelson was very rational in the court yesterday afternoon and got into a heated discussion with Campbell over some money he claimed was due him. Nelson was taken back to jail and Thursday threw another fit, frothing at the mouth and giving a correct imitation of the wild man from Borneo, as he rattled the iron bars of his cell. It is altogether probable that his trial will not be so well attended as it might be if he were not subject to these spells as spectators will be a little chary about getting close to a man that is liable to jump on them and shake the life out of them before they could say scat. Nelson is a powerful young man and looks like he would make an ugly fight.

Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal Friday, 14 February 1902

The case of the state vs. James Nelson, charged with having assaulted Mrs. Newton Campbell with intent to commit a rape, near Darlington, came up for a hearing last Tuesday in the mayor’s court. Mr. Campbell told the story of how his wife had told him of Nelson’s deed and how they had wished to shun the notoriety attaching to such a case, but had finally thought it was best to have the man punished.

Mrs. Campbell, who is a very attractive looking woman, was much overcome while giving her testimony, her indignation at times nearly overpowering her. She stated that on the morning of January 29, after her husband had started to take the children to school, leaving her at home with Nelson and her two young children aged two and three years, Nelson came in the room where she was at work and made an insulting proposition to her. This greatly frightened her and before she could call for help, Nelson came into the room again and grasping her about the body threw her upon a bed, attempting to accomplish his design, but he met so much resistance that he finally relinquished the project. He afterward begged Mrs. Campbell to say nothing of the matter to her husband and stated that he would work two months next summer for her husband and turn the money over to her. She was very much frightened and summoned a neighbor woman who came and stayed with her until the arrival of her husband, when Nelson was taken into custody by Mr. Campbell and later turned over to the authorities from Darlington. The witness said that Nelson was perfectly rational and did not have any spell until after he had attempted the assault and found the officers had been summoned. Mrs. Campbell told a very convincing and straightforward story and carried conviction with it.

Dave Nelson, of this city, a brother of the defendant, testified that James has been subject to spells or fits for about six years and that they had been getting worse of late years. The defendant was very cool during the trial and did not appear to be worried by the proceedings. His attorney is W. T. Whittington.

After hearing the evidence Mayor Elmore decided to bind Nelson over to the circuit court, and fixed his bond at $1,000, and as he could not give it he was sent back to jail.