Grayson County Lawmen

Fallen Law Enforcement Officer
 
Grayson County Constable
4 Jul 1879
James A Nelms
Grayson County Constable, Precinct 2

Another page about Constable Nelms

Article covering all the murders of that horrible day.

Gala-Day of Horrors!
Three Men Instantly Killed and One Wounded.
Constable James Nelms One of the Victims.
The Notorious Negro Desperado Charley Russell Killed.

The fourth of July will be remembered in more respects than one, there terrible murders being committed on that day in our city.
The incidents attending the death of Constable Nelms are almost too painful for recital. it is the old story , a size-shooter in the hands of a notorious desperado, infuriated by whisky.
Charley Russell, a mulatto, well known here as a desperate character, and who should have been hung in Missouri several years ago, if all reports are true, shot and killed Constable Nelms, one of the bravest and most gallant officers in the State of Texas.
There are so many reports in circulation concerning the terrible tragedy, that it is difficult to as ascertain the true facts of the shooting.
Russell, who has charge of a farm belonging to Mr Alec Reddick, northwest of the city, arrived in town on horseback on the morning of the fourth. During the day Russell hung around the Bank Exchange, drinking quite frequently, his potations making him quarrelsome and dangerous.
In the afternoon a large crowd of people were in the saloon drinking, many being drunk. A disturbance took place between a railroad man and an Indian. During the progress of the quarrel Russell interfered, crying in an exciting manner, "I am the chief, I can whip any man in the house." The railroad man then struck Russell, who in return knocked him down. It looked very much just then, as if the fight would become general, the crowd becoming terribly excited. During the excitement of the railroad man, unobserved, procured a mallet which which he dealt Russell a blow on the side of his head, causing the blood to flow from his ear.
John McDougall, the proprietor of the saloon, and Alic Reddick, then endeavored to have Russell leave the premises, Reddick calling on Constable Nelms to arrest him. Russell by this time had been pushed by the crowd form the saloon out of the door into the back yard. Constable Nelms told Russell that he was under arrest.
Russell was grasped by the arm by McDougallho said "Go!" shoving him into the alley. Russell went over to Gheen's wagon yard, and procuring a revolver returned to the saloon. He commenced discharging the revolver as he entered the back yard leading to the saloon. On the approach of Russell the crowd in the saloon fled in dismay out of the front yard. It is supposed at that time Charley Colbert was shot, he being, as he says , in the saloon half asleep.
Constable Nelms in the meantime, supposing that Russell was endeavoring to escape when he saw him leaving the premises by the back door, rushed out of the saloon to Rusk avenue, and thence into the alley, entering the saloon at the back entrance. Russell was waving his pistol when Constable Nelms said, "Charley, I want you," or words something to that effect. Leveling his pistol at Nelms, Russell Answered. "I will never be arrested to-day; tomorrow I will surrender.". Constable Nelms then fired, unfortunately missing his man. The negro advanced towards Constable Nelms, leveled his pistol over McDougall's shoulder, and fired, the ball taking effect in his head a little above the left eye, killing him almost instantly. Russell shouting, "I am the bos-s I am the chief," retreated into the back yard to the alley to Rusk avenue. Standing in front of Gheen's livery establishment, he flourished his revolver, defying the crown to come and arrest him. After standing there for a moment he walked up Rusk avenue to main street, going up into the second story to the front room of the Bank Exchange.
At this moment the excitement was something terrible to behold, and will never be forgotten, at least by our reporter. The crowd was swaying to and fro, the majority with drawn revolvers, calling for vengeance on the murderer of Constable Nelms. For a moment no one dare go up the stairway in pursuit of Russell Ex-Deputy Sheriff Massey was the first to mount the stairway, with revolver in hand, followed soon afterwards by two or three others, Marshall Sam Ball, of Sherman, being of the number.
Mrs Nelms, the mother of the deceased hearing of the death of her boy, left home on Crawford street, and went into the saloon where he lay on the floor, the blood oozing from a ghastly wound in the head. The Mother took the gory head of her son in her arms, calling down the vengeance of heaven on his murderer.
About five minutes, or perhaps longer, after ex-deputy Sheriff Massey went up the stairway, several shots were fired. IN the meantime Dick and Harry Nelms, brothers of the deceased, also the father, all armed , appeared on the street. Dick Nelms rushed up the stairway, and in a moment or so, two other pistol shots were heard. Marshal Sam Ball, of Sherman then appeared at the front window stating that Russell was killed. This intelligence was received with evident satisfaction by the dense multitude who cheered lustily.
The local of the News was one of the first to see Russell, as he lay on the floor, hardly distinguishable for the blood on his face. His head was riddle with bullets.
Who fired the fatal shot, killing Russell, it is not positively known. Mr Jim Massey, is however, supposed to be the individual who did the charitable act.
As soon as the excitement subsided, Russell's body was dragged down the stairway, thrown on a cart and taken away.
Mr Nelm's body was conveyed to the residence of his father on Crawford Street, where immense numbers of sorrowing friends view the remains.
"Dust to Dust"
The funeral took place from the residence of his father J H Nelms, on Crawford Street, at 2 o'clock pm Saturday. A pathetic discourse was delivered by Rev. Mr Parks, of the Baptist Church, in which he feelingly alluded to the high estimation in which Mr Nelms was held as a faithful and efficient officer. At the sacrifice of his life he had endeavored to act up to his oath of office, and fell at this post, a martyr to duty. the funeral procession was one of the longest ever seen in Denison.
The scene at the tomb was affecting in the extreme. As the body was being lowered to its final resting place in the heart of the aged father could no longer subdue its burden of grief, and he gave vent to  his feelings in an outburst of anguish that brought tears to the eyes of all present. And the expression of grief on the part of the stricken wife, mother and sister were even more heartrending.
Jim Nelms was recognized by all who knew him as a warm hearted generous man, and at home, from all accounts, he was even more remarkable for his amiable qualities. We feel that are but expressing the wishes for all the good people in the city in extending for them their sincere sympathy with the family in their great bereavement.

Murder No 3
On the morning of the fourth the body of an Indian named Napoleon Anderson, a son of Captain Anderson, who lives in the Chickasaw Nation, near Tishomingo, was found in the rear of Wolf's Saloon with two bullet holes in his head. Parties living in the vicinity heard the shooting and saw two Mounted men ride away.
It is said by Anderson's neighbors that he was a desperate character, having killed two or three persons in the Territory. It is supposed that the murder was committed by some of the friends of Anderson's victims. The body was sent to the Territory by Gov Burney.
Still Another,An Indian Man named Louis Tubby was shot and killed in the B I T near Red river the night of July 3rd. The tragedy was the result of an old feud between the deceased and some Chickasaw Indians. The murderer made his escape, but a party is in pursuit.





Susan Hawkins
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