Search the Encyclopedia Mavericana:   ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

Nelson

Bank president in Bent Forks,[1] Nebraska in 1871. (June 30, 1819 – August 6, 1899)[2]

A very serious and miserly man, Nelson ran his bank like a tight ship. Mistakes not to be tolerated, and he had little patience for the slightest shortcomings of his staff. However, he was  attentive to his bank customers, and concerned for their confidence in his bank (unless it might cost him money).

On July 31, 1871,[2] Nelson's nephew and trusted bank employee, Ralph Jordan, stole $100,000 from the bank. Nelson was about to order posters printed offering $1,000 reward for the recovery of the money when Bret Maverick entered the bank. Bret expressed that he thought five percent was the usual reward, and that $5,000 would lead to quicker action in the money's recovery. Nelson immediately balked at the sum, then offering only $2,000 and finally acquiesced when Bret compromised at $3,000. Once sheriff Wes Corwin pronounced the amount as official, Bret slung his saddlebag off his shoulder and dumped the stolen loot onto Nelson's desk, less the $3,000.[1]

See: Point Blank