HOMER DEPARTMENT . . .
I have just heard of a cutting scrape that took place 12 miles above this place, between two men by the names of Nelms and Fagen, in which the latter had his throat cut—he died in a few hours after the cutting—don’t know what caused the difficulty, but think it was about a cow. I may give you particulars in my next.

1881-04-21 Columbus Daily Times (Columbus, Georgia)

Toccoa News: “A difficulty occurred on Sunday last at the house of Mr. C. Chitwood, in Banks county, to which Mr. David Nelms and Mr. Wilmot Fagans were parties. The cause of the difficulty was the settlement of some small claim between them, and while we are not informed as to the details of the rencounter, we learn that the difficulty resulted in the death of Mr. Fagan from a wound or wounds inflicted with a knife.”

1881-04-28 North Georgian (Gainesville, Georgia)

Two murders in Banks county recently. Mr. Fagan, white, and a “colored brother.” We learn there is $300, reward for Nelms, the man who killed Fagan.

1881-10-27 North Georgian (Gainesville, Georgia)

GENERAL PRESENTMENTS. GEORGIA—Banks County.
We, the Grand Jurors, selected, chosen and sworn for the October term of Banks Superior court, make the following general presentments:
. . .
We recommend that the Governor be requested to offer a suitable reward for the apprehension of David C. Nelms, who is charged with the murder of Wilmot Fagans.
. . .

1882-05-05 Gainesville Eagle (Gainesville, Georgia)

A PROCLAMATION. GEORGIA—By Alfred H. Colquitt, Governor of said State. Whereas, official information has been received at this department that on the 10th day of April, 1881, a murder was committed in the county of Banks, upon the body of Wilmot Fagan by David C. Nelms, and that said Nelms has fled from justice.

I have thought proper, therefore, to issue this my Proclamation, hereby offering a reward of one hundred and fifty dollars for the apprehension and delivery of said David C. Nelms, to the Sheriffs of said State.

And I do moreover charge and require all officers in this State, civil and Military, to be vigilant in endeavoring to apprehend the said David C. Nelms in order that he may be brought to trial for the offence with which he stands charged.

Given under my hand and the Great Seal of State, at the Capital in Atlanta, this the first day of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty-two, and of the independence of the United States of America the one hundred and sixth.

ALFRED H. COLQUITT,    
Governor.

By the Governor:
   N. C. BARNETT,
      Secretary of State

1882-05-13 Toccoa News (Toccoa, Georgia)

—We learn from a party who reached Toccoa by Thursday evening’s train, that Mr. David C. Nelms, who is charged with the murder of Wilmot Fagans in Banks county some year or more ago, was recently arrested in Mississippi, by Mr. Dean Owen, sheriff of Banks county. Our informant further stated that Mr. Nelms had been placed in jail at Gainesville for safe keeping until the October term of Banks Superior Court, when he will be tried.

1882-05-19 Gainesville Eagle (Gainesville, Georgia)

Mr. E. D. Owen, sheriff of Banks county, returned from Mississippi last week, where he had been to capture D. C. Nelms, charged with the murder of Wilmot Fagan. We learn that Nelms while drunk told some one of his having killed Fagan and the authorities nabbed him, and held him until the sheriff of Banks county, where the murder was committed, could go out for him. He was captured in Marshall county, Miss., and is now lodged in the jail at this place for safe keeping, where he will await the fall term of Banks court for trial. The governor had offered a reward of one hundred fifty dollars for his arrest.

1882-06-23 Gainesville Eagle (Gainesville, Georgia)

No Bail.

Judge Erwin Refuses Application to Release David C. Nelms on Bond.

David C. Nelms, in jail here, charged with the murder of Wilmot Fagan in Banks county, some eighteen months since, and who was recently captured in Mississippi and brought back home to answer the charge, had a hearing before Judge Erwin of the Western circuit at Belton last Tuesday, upon an application to admit to bail. The prisoner was represented by Col. John B Estes, and the state by Solicitor-General Mitchell. A number of witnesses were examined, and after a careful consideration of the case the Judge refused the application and remanded the prisoner to our jail where he is now awaiting his trial at the next term of Banks superior court.

1884-03-27 Columbus Daily Times (Columbus, Georgia)

Athens Banner: Nelms, the man who killed Fagan, in Banks county several years ago, was tried at Homer court last week. The jury, after staying out about an hour, was brought in and asked if they were likely to agree, and they said that the stood the same as when they first went into the room. The Judge sent them back, and after twenty hours were brought in and said there was no likelihood of an agreement. There were eight for murder, two for acquittal, and two for manslaughter. This case has been before the court for the past three years. Patterson, the man who cut his wife’s throat some time ago, forfeited his bond. His wife is now living with him, and we supposed this will end it all.

1884-09-16 The Banner-Watchman (Athens, Georgia)

The Nelms case in Banks superior court will be closely watched by our citizens. Several of them will attend the trial.

1884-09-19 Toccoa News (Toccoa, Georgia)

Banks Superior Court convened Monday of this week. David C. Nelms, who killed a man by the name of Fagans several years ago, was found guilty of murder and recommended to mercy. He was sentenced to the penitentiary for life.

1884-09-23 The Banner-Watchman (Athens, Georgia)

Harmony Grove, Sept. 19.—The state vs. David C. Nelms, murder—guilty, and recommended to be sentenced for life in the penitentiary. The parting scene between the condemned man and his wife and two little children was very affecting.

1884-10-03 Savannah Morning Times (Savannah, Georgia)

When Nelms, the Banks county murderer, was sentenced to imprisonment for life, his wife and children were present. The woman was in the last stages of consumption, and death was stamped on her face. The children were thin and emaciated, and showed the want of food.

1884-10-05 Columbus Daily Enquirer-Sun (Columbus, Georgia)

Savannah News: The skin and plumage of the English sparrows, properly dressed and dyed, makes a most elegant decoration for ladies’ hats and bonnets. Now let the people quit talking about the sparrow nuisance and learn something about taxidermy.

When Nelms, the Banks county murderer, was sentenced to imprisonment for life, his wife and children were present. The woman was in the last stages of consumption, and death was stamped on her face. The children were thin and emaciated, and showed the want of food.

1884-10-07 The Banner-Watchman (Athens, Georgia)

A Sad Picture. A gentleman who was present at the life sentence of Nelms, in Banks county, says his wife and two little children, who were in the courtroom, presented the most pitiable picture he ever witnessed. The woman was apparently in the last stages of disease, and you could see death stamped on her face. The helpless children were thin and emaciated, and showed clearly the want of food. The family are entirely destitute, and must become objects of public charity.

1884-10-31 Carroll County Times (Carrollton, Georgia)

The Maysville Georgian says: “One quart of whiskey cost Bank’s county $1,500, the lives of two men, two widows, several orphan children and an enormous amount of labor and trouble, in the Nelms case.” Would to God the manufacture of this death dealing fluid could be stopped.

—The recent Nelms case in Banks county teaches a lesson in favor of temperance. Just one quart of whiskey cost the county $1,500, the lives of two men, made two widows and several orphan children and involved an enormous amount of labor and trouble.