10/09/2025
NDPOA OFFICER DOWN MEMORIAL-CARL G. NELSON
by Curt Olson
October of 1915 saw relatively mild temperatures and weather. The upcoming winter was a stark contrast to the preceding fall’s mild temperatures and weather. The winter of 1915 was described as nearly continuous snowfall, deep freezes, and frequent blizzards.
October 10, 1915, World War I, saw Germany’s second invasion of Serbia. A British submarine, Lulea, sank a German metal steamer. In the United States, the Sheepshead Speedway hosted a major event where Gil Anderson won the Astor Cup; the race displayed dominance of American cars over foreign models.
On October 9, 1915 at around 10:30 PM on Carrington’s west side, the Hopkin’s Billiard Hall was robbed by four gunmen. Reported armed robbers searched all victims twice. Mr. Hopkins, the pool hall proprietor, was relieved of $150-$160, while the other victims lost a total of $50-$60.
The bandits were followed to the “Wye,” a location where all Soo Line trains had stopped for the Northern Pacific. It was presumed they would try get out of town on a Soo Line train. The suspects, when encountered, shot Ed Burch in the back. One of them apologized, saying, “Sorry I got you kid,” and gave him $2 for the doctor bill. James Gilstrap, a blacksmith that was present, had a gun in his hand and one of the bandits got it away and pistol whipped him. The Wye incident took place around midnight and caused the fugitives to go back to town and hide out.
The next clue to the robber’s whereabouts came at around 1:30 AM at the Owl Restaurant when one of the suspects appeared to buy lunch for four. The inn keeper was threatened not to tell of the bandit’s appearance. The bandit encountered three young men outside the café who he thought may be after him. He dropped his pail of coffee and drew his gun and after deducing the men weren’t officers, went about his way. Joe Phillips, who was near at the time, trailed the man to the rear of the Kilby rooming house.
Word was sent to Chief of Police, Carl Nelson, of the suspect’s whereabouts. At about 3:30 AM, night patrolman George Hubbard, Deputy Ralph Walker and the Chief entered the Kilby rooming house after deciding they would try apprehending the robbers. Isaac Day, the house’s caretaker that night advised the officers the four men broke into the back room of the house earlier and went to bed.
Day went through the rooms, making his way to the back room with the officers, turning lights on as they progressed. Three of the bandits were located in the back room, and one in an adjacent room. When the lights came on a barrage of gunfire erupted. Chief Nelson was struck below his abdomen. Frank Davis, thought to be the leader of the pack, was killed instantly when shot through the heart. The wounded chief was credited with the shot that took out Davis. It was reported that upwards of twenty shots were exchanged, evidenced by bullet riddled walls.
The chief was immediately taken downtown, and Dr. MacKenzie was summoned. The doctor quickly surmised the Chief would need to get to a hospital to sustain life. A special train on the Soo Line from Harvey was summoned to take the Chief to a St. Paul, Minnesota hospital which left Carrington at 7:30 AM. The trip was made in a record time of seven hours and thirty minutes. Accompanying the chief was Dr. Mackenzie, his wife and her mother along with mayor of Carrington.
Prior to the special train, the fire whistle was sounded at 4:30 AM. The Sheriff quickly began swearing in multiple deputies to form four posse’s to be in pursuit of the fleeing gunmen.
A young man who decided to go back to bed at the Kilby found a suspect sleeping in his room. The Sheriff was summoned immediately. Sheriff Morgan on arrival arrested the man and took him to the County Jail.
Frank Davis, an alias name for Tom Brooks, the man shot and killed in the gunfire exchange at the Kilby rooming house was taken to the Walker undertaking rooms for identification. It was learned through letters that he was from Enid, Oklahoma. The Enid Sheriff was contacted so Brooks’s next of kin could be notified. His mother gave instructions to have his body buried in Carrington, as she didn’t want to see it. His mother expressed sorrow that he had not died prior to meeting such a disgraceful death. He wore shoes from a Kenmare, ND merchant and it was believed he was responsible for the murder of a man whose body was found in a box car some two weeks earlier at Kenmare. Brooks was also linked to a café robbery in New Rockford, ND.
Chief Nelson underwent surgery upon his arrival at St. Lukes hospital in St. Paul, MN on Sunday evening. Hopes were maintained the chief could recover, but on Tuesday evening he was so low that his father was summoned. The chief succumbed to his injuries at 8:30 AM on Wednesday, October 13, 1915. His body was returned to Carrington.
On October 17, 1915, the funeral for Chief Nelson was held at the Congregational Church in Carrington. Reported as the biggest funeral ever held in the city, it was said the church was packed with 600 to 700 people. It was reported that more than one thousand people came to pay their respects, but many had to be turned away as the church was filled to overflow capacity. The six city council members served as the Chief’s pallbearers. Chief Nelson was described as good-natured, even tempered, clean in his habits, and square dealing. The community of Carrington lost a good man, as well as an officer. He was laid to rest at the Carrington Cemetery. He was survived by his wife and son (who was born in June 1916).
A local newspaper reported that Nelson didn’t carry any life insurance. The paper also said Mrs. Nelson planned on continuing to do housekeeping in the Carrington area. She remarried and moved to Washington state where she died in 1950. Carl Nelson’s son, James, lived in Monroe, Washington, dying there at age 88 in 2004.
Following is text from a letter addressed to Mrs. Nelson right after her husband’s death:
Carrington, N.Dak. October 17,’15
Dear Mrs. Nelson:
Although we are almost strangers I want you to know how much my heart has gone out in loving sympathy to you all through the sad week that is passed. Your sorrow is shared by everyone and your husband’s name will go down in memory as that of a brave man who died in the performance of his duty. Even though his life paid the penalty, I am sure you will always be thankful to remember that your husband was not a coward and did not hesitate to do as he thought was right.
I know how desolate your as you look ahead to the years to come as I known the heartache of losing my husband.
Your little son will be a comfort to you and will make you feel like life is still worth living. Your dear husband is just gone for a little while before you and someday God will give him back to you and there will be no more parting and the Bible says God shall wipe away all tears from our eyes. It won’t be so long you know and you must just trust and pray that you may be given strength and wisdom to bring your little son to be as true and brave as was his father. I wish I could help you by saying some word of comfort but God is our present help in our time of need and I am sure he will help you.
My deepest sympathy goes out to all the loving friends and yourself at this time.
Very sincerely,
Mrs. Mabel Borden
The outpouring of support for North Dakota Law Enforcement has been witnessed in recent years during line of duty deaths. In researching historical line of duty deaths, I find that outpouring of support is really nothing new. The support and respect have been passed on from generation to generation and is part of our state’s rich heritage.
Carl Nelson is one of the first three requests to designate one mile of the North Dakota Fallen Peace Officers Memorial Highway (ND Highway 200) to his memory. The mile east of milepost 294, which is located on the east side of Carrington will be dedicated to the memory of Chief Carl G. Nelson who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the performance of his duty on October 13, 1915.
Chief Nelson, we remember you, and the sacrifice you made in the performance of your duty to the citizens of Carrington and the State of North Dakota.
