Isle of Wight County Virginia USGenWeb Archives News.....Nelms, W. Joseph "Jodie", 1929 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/va/vafiles.htm ************************************************ Isle of Wight Co., VAGenWeb Archives, Newspaper Articles Wm. Joseph "Jodie" NELMS, slain 10 Sep 1929 "Suffolk (VA) News-Herald," Vol.7, No. 162, Tues., Sep. 10, 1929, p. 1 [only 1st paragraph correctable] JOE NELMS SLAIN IN ISLE OF WIGHT Farmer Living Near Courthouse Shot to Death Today By Deputy Sheriff, It Is Alleged, While Making Arrest. Joe Nelms, of Isle of Wight Court House, was shot to death about noon today. It was alleged by Deputy Sheriff J.B. Taliaferro, Jr. Nelms, it was alleged, was shot at a still and the officer shooting only after a gun had been drwan on him. Information was received at this office late this afternoon was to the effect that the dead man was shot on his own farm near Isle of Wight Court House. The officers, it is thought, were examing the place for ardent spirits. A coroner's jury held immediately after the shootin attributed the death to a gunshot wound inflicted, it was alleged, by the deputy sheriff in self- [bottom of page cropped in online image] ****************************************************************************** "Suffolk (VA) News-Herald," Vol.7, No. 163, Wed., Sep. 11, 1929, p. 8 [not correctable] As yet Coroner Parker, of Isle of Wight county, has not rendered a verdict in the death of Joe Nelms, aged 57 years, who it is said was shot yesterday about noon by Deputy Sheriff J.B. Taliaferro, Jr., of that county. According to information received at this office this morning, Nelms is survived by his widow and several children. It was alledged that Sheriff Whitehead and Taliaferro were searching the property of Nelms for a still. They suddenly came upon the plant in operation and when the officers approached, Nelms raised his gun on the officers. Taliaferro immediately whipped his pistol and fired at Nelms, who died about 30 minutes after the shooting. The still is said to have been a small galvanized outfit and a small amount of mash was seized. The plant was destroyed by the officers. Taliaferro was arrested immediately and was admitted to bail in the sum of $1,000 for his appearance on next Thursday before the county police justice. Nelms, it was stated by Sheriff Whitehead, of Isle of Wight county, had at the time of his death a suspended jail sentence. The dead man leaves eight children, all of whom are practically grown. ****************************************************************************** "Smithfield (VA) Times," Vol. 10, No. 12, Sep. 12, 1929, p. 1, col. 2-3 ISLE OF WIGHT CITIZEN IS KILLED IN STILL RAID DEPUTY SHERIFF SAYS THAT NELMS DREW GUN FIRST; SELF-DEFENSE PLEA _____ W. Joe Nelms, white, aged about 60, was shot and killed Tuesday morning at 10:30 o'clock at a still near Isle of Wight Courthouse, by Deputy Sheriff J.B. Taliaferro, of the county, after Nelms, according to the statement of eye- witnesses, had drawn a gun on both Taliaferrro and Sheriff W.C. Whitehead. According to the account given by Sheriff Whitehead, the officers were approaching the still, which is located not far from the courthouse, and men at the still, seeing the officers, ran. The officers then broke into a run for the plant, and on arriving saw Nelms seated at the still. He was ordered to consider himself under arrest, and at this time, the sheriff stated, drew a double-barreled gun on the two men, at which time Taliaferro shot. Nelms lived about half an hour. Nelms, according to court records, was under jail sentence for violation of the liquor laws. Taliaferro and the sheriff immediately came to Smithfield, where they turned the matter over to Dr. Rea Parker, coroner. Taliaferro was recognized for his appearance, and says he will have witnesses to prove that he shot to save himes lfadnmowent- [sic] save himself and Sheriff Whitehead. ****************************************************************************** "Tri-County News (Wakefield, VA), Vol. 1, No. 52, Fri., Sep. 13, 1929, p. 1 DEPUTY KILLS MAN IN ISLE OF WIGHT CO. Suffolk, Va., Sept. 10 - J.B. Taliaferro, deputy to Sheriff W.C. Whitehead, of Isle of Wight County, shot and killed W. Joe Nelms, white, also of Isle of Wight County, following a raid made by the county officers on a still located near Isle of Wight Courthouse, at which still Nelms was found. According to the statement made by Sheriff Whitehead, and other eyewitnesses, the officers approached the still and several men ran. Nelms, who was found at the scene, is declared to have raised a double-barreled shotgun, which he aimed at the officers. Taliaferro shot and the wounded man died after thirty minutes. Nelms is about 60 years of age. Taliaferro will plead self-defense when the case goes to court. ****************************************************************************** "Daily Press" (Newport News, VA), Vol. XXXIV, No. 220, Sep. 20, 1929, p. 1 Deputy Exonerated Of Slaying Charge ____ Self-Defense Testimony Given by Sheriff Before Magistrates at Smithfield ____ (Special to the Daily Press) Smithfield, Va., Sep. 19.- Complete exoneration of J. B. Taliaferro, special Isle of Wight county deputy sheriff, of blame for the death of W. Joe Nelms, whom it was testified he killed in self-defense on September 10 during a raid upon a still, resulted at a preliminary hearing of charges of manslaughter against Taliaferrro at Smithfield today. The hearing opened in the old high school hall at 10 o'clock this morning, and continued until about 6 o'clock p.m. Several hundred people in attendance attested the interest aroused in of Wight county in the case. Magistrates Robert Hall, A. Lee Saunders and James A. Johnson presided. Sheriff W. C. Whitehead, who made formal manslaughter charges against Taliaferro, appeared a a defense witness at the hearing. The sheriff, who had deputized Taliaferro, to assist in the raid on the still, testified that on Taliaferro's approaching the still Nelms leveled his shotgun upon the deputy, who fired his own weapon, loaded with buckshot. Nelms died several hours later. The widow of the slain man gave brief testimony for the prosecution, stating that Nelms had left home about 7 o'clock that morning with his gun with the intent of hunting squirrels. Self-defense, as testified to by the sheriff, was the principal defense. Nelms was not accused of operation of the still which was raided the day the shooting occurred, according to George F. Whitley, Isle of Wight commonwealth's attorney. Mr. Whitley said, however, that the slain man had on a previous occasion been convicted of illicit possession of ardent spirits. It had previously been stated that the still was not on Nelms' land. Three or four other men at the still when the raiders approached ran away and escaped, the sheriff testified. It was then, he said, that Nelms drew his gun upon the deputy. The prosecution put about 15 witnesses on the stand during the hearing, and the defense about five. Taliaferro did not take the stand. ____________ ****************************************************************************** "Smithfield (VA) Times," Vol. 10, No. 15, Thurs., Sep. 26, 1929, p. 1 Taliaferro Is Exonerated At Hearing Here SELF-DEFENSE TESTIMONY IS GIVEN BY SHERIFF BEFORE MAGISTRATES AT TRIAL LAST THURSDAY Complete exoneration of J.B. Taliaferro, special deputy sheriff, of blame for the death of W. Joe Nelms, whom it was testified he killed in self-defense on September 10 during a raid upon a still, resulted at a preliminary hearing of charges of manslaughter against Taliaferro here on last Thursday. The hearing was held in the old high school hall at 10 o'clock and continued until about 6 p.m. Several hundred people in attendance attested the interest aroused in the county in the case. Magistrates Robert Hall, A. Lee Saunders and James A. Johnson presided. Sheriff W.C. Whitehead, who made formal manslaughter charges against Taliaferro, appeared as a defense witness at the hearing. The sheriff, who had deputized Taliaferro to assist in the raid on the still, testified that on Taliaferro's approaching the still Nelms leveled his shotgun upon the deputy, who fired his own weapon, loaded with buckshot. Nelms died several hours later. The widow of the slain man gave brief testimony for the prosecution, stating that Nelms had left home about 7 o'clock that morning with his gun with the intention of hunting squirrels. Self-defense, as testified to by the sheriff, was the principal defense. Nelms was not accused of operation of the still which was raided the day the shooting occurred, according to George F. Whitley, commonwealth's attorney. Mr. Whitley said, however, that the slain man had on a previous occasion been convicted of illicit possession of ardent spirits. It had previously been stated, that the still was not on Nelms' land. The prosecution put about 15 witnesses on the stand during the hearing and the defense about five. Taliaferro did not take the stand. ****************************************************************************** Death Certificate #1929-1067-22422 1. Isle of Wight Co., VA, Newport District #40 2. William Joseph Nelms, res: Isle of Wight Co., 57yrs, 5 mos. 3. Male; 4. White; 5. Married; 5A. spouse: Annie M. Nelms 6. date of birth: [blank]; 7. age: 57yrs, 5 mos.; 8. Farmer 9. birthplace: Isle of Wight Co. 10. pa: W.C. Nelms; 11. b. Isle of Wight Co. 12. ma: Emily ["Nelms" struck] Atkins; 13. b. Isle of Wight Co. 14. informant: H.C. Kello, Smithfield, VA 15. filed: 9/12/1929; registrar J. Walter Stoht 16. d. Sept. ["9" struck] 10, 1929 17. cause: Shot while resisting an officer; duration: Sudden 18. no operation; no autopsy; R.W. Parker, M.D., Smithfield, VA, 9/10/29 19. burial: Antioch, 9/12/1929 20. undertaker: Rouse Funeral Co., Smithfield, VA ****************************************************************************** Isle of Wight Co., VA, Coroner's Inquistion, Vol. 1 (1925-1944) (Family Search, image 25) Rea Parker, M. D. Main Street Phone 70 Smithfield, Va ____________192 Willie Wilson being duely sworn made the following statement: I left the Court House about ten O'clock Tuesday A. M. Sept 10th. to walk home. When about fifty yards from C. H. road I saw an automobile parked side of the woods path; in about 100 yds futher I saw the Sheriff and Talliaferro walking across the branch. I walked a little father and stopped to see if I could hear what was going on. About that time I heard a gun fire and in a minute or two heard the Sheriff call me and said come there at once. He met me and said Talliaferro had shot Joe Nelms at a still when Nelms drew a gun on him. He asked me to stay there with Talliaferro until he could go for a doctor. I stayed with Talliaferro until the Sheriff returned with Dr. Parker about theree quarters of an hour later. Signed, Willie J. Wilson Sept 16th. 29 (Family Search, image 26) Rea Parker, M. D. Main Street Phone 70 Smithfield, Va ____________192 J.B. Talliaferro Jr., being duely sworn makes the following statement: Tuesday morning Sept 10th 1929 Sheriff and I believing a still was in that location left our car near the C. H. road and walked through the woods until we were about 75 yds . of what later proved a still. Seeing smoke we coutiously approached it until we were about 35 to 40 yds,of still when we saw one or more men runaway. We then began to run towards the smoke Sheriff going in a slightly different direction from myself, when about 35 feet I heard the Sheriff say something and at that time saw a mandrawing his gun on me. I stopped and just then he had the gun leveled on me and aiming at me. Expecting him to shoot me I fired at him with double barrell shotgun. The man fell slightly forward and to the right. Sheriff ran to him and said "He shot me, he shot me"; the Sheriff said why did you draw your gun on him and the man said " I didn't know who it was". The sheriff left Willie Wilson with me while he went for a doctor and I heard the man groaning for a few minutes. I stayed there until the Sheriff and doctor came. Signed J.B. Taliaferro Jr. Sept 16th. 29 (Family Search, image 27) Rea Parker, M. D. Main Street Phone 70 Smithfield, Va ____________192 I, Colgate Whitehead, Sheriff of Isle of Wight Co., do hereby make the following statement, under oath,relating to the death of Joe Nelms: Tuesday morning about ten O'clock Sept 10th, 29 while Talliaferro, my assistant, and I were looking for a still we saw some smokewhen we were about 100 to 125 yds. of what later proved to be a still. When we were about 65 to 75 yds. away we saw two men run, dont know the color of them but they ere bright and not black. We "rushed still' , when within 35 to 40 feet of it. I in running altered my course to left, Talliaferro keeping in path. I first saw Nelms sitting on the ground rise quickly to a squating position and grab his gun. At that moment I ordered him to drop the gun. In less time than it takes to tell it I saw him rise and swing gun barrell in a semi-circle covering my Aide, J. B. Talliaferro Jr.,. Just as Gun came in position on Talliaferro, Talliaferro fired, Nelms fell within five feet of still. Seeing him fall and release gun I ran to him and he said " He shot me, he shot me"; I said, Yes, Joe but why did you draw your gun on him? he said " He did not know who it was" . Seeing that he was mortally wounded I ran back to the path which we left and called to Willie Wilson whom we had seen on the same path and asked him to come there at once and asked him to stay with Talliaferro until I could go for a doctor. When I left I brought gun with me for fear if I left it there some one might come up and use it against Talliaferro and Wilson. I immediately left for my car and came to Smithfield where I called for Dr. Parker, he being out I went for Dr. Warren not finding him went to the Commonwealth Atty, Geo. F. Whitley office, then back to Dr. Parkers, he still being out I went to look for him at the home a patient and in a few minutes we started for the scene of the accident or shooting. We found both Talliaferro and Wilson where I had left them and Nelms had died. After destroying still I brought away such evedence as was necessary such as still worm and ardent spirits. I asked Dr. Parker to notify the family of Nelms and went at once to the Court House where I deposited evidence in jailand then toClerk's office where I filed sworn statement. with R. A. Edwards, Clerk. Sept. 16th. 29. Signed: W.C. Whitehead Sheriff Isle of Wight Co. Va, (Family Search, image 28) Rea Parker, M. D. Main Street Phone 70 Smithfield, Va ____________192 To the Circuit Court , Isle of Wight County, to -Wit An inquisition taken at my office, Smithfield, Va, Isle of Wight Co., on the 16th. day of Sept. 1929 before Dr. Rea Parker, Coroner of said County, having viewed the body Joe Nelms, there lying dead; I hereby find that the said Joe Nelms came to his death Sept.20th 1929 about ten O'clock A. M. by being shot with buck shot in the hands of J. B. Talliaferro, Jr., deputy Sheriff. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand. Signed, Sept 16th 1929 Rea Parker, Coroner ****************************************************************************** William Joseph "Joe" Jodie" NELMS, Isle of Wight Co. farmer, shot dead by Deputy J.B. TALIAFERRO, Jr., 10 Sep 1929, at moonshine still, near Isle of Wight C.H., interred in Antioch Christian Church Cemetery*, near Windsor, Additional information: *Antioch list, an extension of the Southampton County Historical Society {SCHS} Cemetery Project: http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/isleofwight/cemeteries/antioch.txt Isle of Wight County Historical Society {IWCHS} Grave Site Survey Task Force {GSSTF} #20: http://www.iwchs.com/Cemetery-Reports.html The record of his marriage, contributed to the USGenWeb Archives by Deborah Parker (dewdroppedep@aol.com), is posted at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/isleofwight/vitals/marriages/vaughan95gmr.txt His widow's obits ("Suffolk News-Herald," & "Smithfield Times," July 1954) are posted at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/isleofwight/obits/n452a4ob.txt His mother, Emily Archer (ATKINS DOOLEY; Mrs. Wilson Cooley) NELMS (1850 - 1919), is buried in Uzzell's Methodist Church Cemetery. {IWCHS GSSTF #13} Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Matt Harris (zoobug64@aol.com). file at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/isleofwight/news/dp092029.txt