News: Fairchild (3 May 1906)

Contact: Michelle Melcher
Email: michelle@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Nelson, Hegg, Swenson, Pflueger, Krohn, Adams, Reichenbach

----------Source: Fairchild Observer (Fairchild, Wis.) 5/3/1906

His Neck Broken

A most unfortunate affair occurred Friday afternoon, the facts of which, as we have learned are as follows: Geo. Nelson and sister, who reside at South beef River, had been in Fairchild during the day and late in the afternoon started for home accompanied by Oscar Hegg. During the ride Hegg, who it is alleged, had been drinking heavily, insulted Miss Nelson and when reprimanded by her brother, became very abusive continuing the insults until Nelson becoming infuriated, proceeded to administer summary punishment to Hegg and in putting him out of the wagon inflicted severe injuries from which he died the following morning at the home of his brother-in-law, John Swenson.

Drs. Pflueger and Krohn (the latter of Black River Falls) held an autopsy Sunday which revealed that death was due to a broken neck. An inquest was held Monday, the verdict of the jury being that the deceased came to his death from injuries inflicted at the hands of Geo. Nelson.

Hegg was about forty years of age and resided at Levis. Nelson, who is but eighteen years of age, was arrested on Saturday and taken to Black River Falls by Sheriff Adams to await the preliminary trial which will be held sometime during the following week.
The following is clipped from this week’s issue of the Black River Falls Banner.

The district attorney does not care to say much about the case as to the prospects of a conviction, but says the matter will be thoroughly sifted. The evidence shows that the Nelson boys, both of whom were minors, freely obtained intoxicating drinks at Fairchild and there obtained a bottle of whisky to take with them on their way home, and Mr. Reichenbach says that he will report this fact to the district attorney of Eau Claire county and ask that steps be taken to prosecute the saloon keepers at Fairchild who are guilty of this transgression of the law.