Hide Article Text (OCR)
FRED NELSON TURNS TABLES ON SHERIFFWhen Peter Fosse Went Into Jail Early Thursday Morning, Nelson Slipped Out, Slams Shut Heavy Door, Takes Big Key, Makes Escape. Overpowered by Deputy Sheriff Later. Intention Was To Get Judge Catherwood, County Attorney J. O. Peterson and Deputy Sheriff Jenson in Jail With Fosse to Serve Time for Attempting to Send Him to Stillwater.There was great excitement in town early Thursday morning.Sheriff Peter Fosse was languishing in the county jail and a wild man was running loose about the streets, hunting for Judge Catherwood, County Attorney J. O. Peterson and Deputy Sheriff Jenson, that he might incarcerate them with Sheriff Fosse.The wild man was none other than Fred Nelson, convicted forger and thief. He had escaped from the county jail and had locked up Freeborn County’s sheriff in his place.Fred had pleaded guilty before Judge Catherwood to the charge of forgery and grand larceny and had been sentenced to an indeterminate sentence at Stillwater. Evidently Fred didn’t like this a little bit and sought revenge at the earliest opportunity.This opportunity came white Nelson was having free access to the corridor of the jail, at 7 o'clock Thursday morning, when Mr. Fosse went into the jail.Owing to the high wind ofWednesday, the electric lightwires were put out of commission at the jail. When the sheriff unlocked the big steel outer door and started across the corridor towards the cells where the inmates of the jail, including 0. L. Bentley, were confined, it was still quite dark.Nelson, who had never heretofore shown any inclination tomake an escape, sprang suddenly to the opened entrance, slipped through, slammed the big door shut, turned the key, pulled it out of the lock and had the sheriff as secure as any of the other prisoners.It’s the first time the sheriff ever served time behind the bars. Nelson then went into the sheriff's apartments, opened the front door, locked it after him, and was a free man.Mr. Fosse called to his wife and she, very much surprised to find her husband one of the inmates of the county jail, was soon at the outer side of the big door wondering what it was ail about.“Unlock the door with that extra key on the wall,” commanded the sheriff. “Fred is gone! He slipped out and locked me in!”Mr. Fosse was soon at liberty —but so was Nelson. Not a trace of him could be found. Mr. Fosse immediately notified . Deputy Sheriff Jenson at his home and then went to the Rock Island to see if he was attempting to get away on a train.Jenson was on the job in a short time and went immediately to the Milwaukee to see that Fred didn’t get away on the morning passenger. Nelson was not found at either depot. The deputy then started to search thebusiness district while Sheriff Fosse got busy burning up the telephone lines.As Deputy Jenson went up Broadway he spied Nelson leav ing the Tri State telephone office, headed for the Majestic Hotel on Newton street. Jenson called to Nelson to stoD. He did as commanded, but as the deputy approached he ordered him not to come nearer or he would shoot. As he threatened he placed his right hand in his outside coat pocket as if he had a hidden revolver there. In reality it was only the big key. but as it stuck out towards the deputy under the cloth, it looked for all the world like the barrel of a revolver. “Gosh, I thought it was two feet long, said Jenson.He had the drop on the deputy. Mr. Jenson had his hand in his own pocket and was holding the the handle of his own automatic. But he had not suspected that Nelson would show fight, less did he expect he had a gun, so didn't have his gun in position to shoot.“I just want the key, said the deputy. “Give me the key, Fred!” “All right, I will give you the key. but if you try to get me I will kill you with this gun.’*Mr. Jenson walked up toward Fred with his hand extended for the key, the while watching Nel-_ son’s pocket containing the supposed revolver.As the deputy came nearer, he suddenly swung h's hand towards Nelson with all h g strength. He caught him with the full force in the neck, knocking him flat.Without a second’s loss of time, the deputy was on top. working as hard as Helmer did with George Gion at the last wrestling match. In spite of Nelson’s efforts to get away, the deputy hung tough and soon had himoverpowered and back in thecounty jail.On his way to jail he told Mr. Jenson that his plans were to overpower Judge Catherwood and County Attorney Peterson and after they were safely behind the bars with Sheriff Fosse, was coming to get him.While Nelson was at liberty, he went to the Banquet Cafe, or. dered breakfast. After eating he went into the back room and explained to Mr. Tuberty that he didn’t have any money, but he would soon be able to pay him in full for the meal.From there he went to the “Edison Shqp on West Clark street and asked Mr. Karlberg for the loan of a dollar. “I am sorry that I tried to get away with youn phonograph,” snid Fred, “but I will soon pay you in full for all trouble I have caused you.”As soon as arrangements can be made Sheriff Fosse will take Nelson to Stillwater.
Newspaper Details
Albert Lea Times Enterprise
Albert Lea, Minnesota, US
Wed, Feb 23, 1921
Page 2
Full Page
Clipped by
Jason T.
USA 24 Mar 2024
Other Publications Near Albert Lea, Minnesota
Albert Lea the Evening Tribune Farm Tab
Albert Lea Evening Tribune Farm Tab
Farm and Home Magazine
Albert Lea Sunday Tribune
Standard
