The Iron Molder’s Attack on Main Street

A most atrocious attempt to take the life of a young girl is said to have occurred in this city yesterday afternoon, the details of which were carefully hushed by the police until a search effort to capture the would-be murderer could be organized. A warrant is now out for the arrest of John Nielson, an iron molder, living at the Klondike House on Main Street, charging him with trying to kill his step-daughter, Nellie Green, 16. It is claimed that he intended to force her to swallow muriatic acid.

Nielson had been living apart from his wife and step-daughter for some time. The mother and girl had been living at the Cascade Hotel, and had contracted to be clear of Nielson, but it appears that the latter, while under the influence of liquor, sought out his wife's apartments with the intention of making trouble. A conversation ensued between the man and his wife and step-daughter, which was ended by Nielson turning suddenly upon the girl, whom he roughly grabbed, the first time producing a bottle of muriatic acid, which he had in one of his pockets.

Nellie made frantic efforts to wrestle loose, while her inhuman stepfather attempted to force the burning fluid down her throat. In the struggle, the acid was spilled over the girl's face, cruelly burning her and injuring one of her eyes so that she will probably be permanently blinded. Neighbors heard the girl scream as the man threw the empty bottle from him, and, pushing the girl to the floor, ran out of the room and escaped before anyone could be called in to capture him. The poor girl picked up the bottle and ran to police headquarters, where she reported the occurrence and had a warrant sworn out for her stepfather. Detectives covered the warrant but failed to locate the man; he has not returned to his boarding place and could not be found anywhere around the city. Late last evening it was reported that he had left the city.