"W. J. Nelson, Esq., was in Hagerstown, Md., on Wednesday morning last, in attendance at the marriage of his son, Mr. Charles F. Nelson of the Staunton bar, to Miss Laura Sale, daughter of Capt. Wm. H. Sale, proprietor of Capon Springs. The young couple left after the ceremony for a trip North." Per the Staunton Vindicator, Vol 43, #7, dated 17 Feb 1888.

On the 1900 Capon District, Watson (Capon Springs) town, Hampshire, West Virginia census, I found Charles F Nelson, 37, born Oct 1862; wife Laura J Nelson, 34, Jun 1865; son William Nelson, 10, Jan 1890, all Virginia born. They had several servants.

1901: "Charles F. Nelson has succeeded the late Capt. W. H. Sale as proprietor of Capon Springs and baths, after having been associated with him for five yean as manager." Per the Lexington Gazette (VA) dated 24 Apr 1901.

Mr. Charles F. Nelson is by far the champion hunter this season...." Per the Winchester Times (VA), Vol 37, # 12, dated 6 Nov 1901.

"WILL CONFIRM SALE. It Is stated upon good authority that there is no question as to the board of public works of West Virginia confirming the sale of the 8tate's property at Capon Springs to Mr. Charles F. Nelson, of Winchester, who owns the hotels and other property at the resort. Last week. It will be recalled, Mr. Nelson bought the spring, bath-house and swimming pool for 15,000 from the State, and, it is stated, he will make many additional improvements to the property." Per the News Leader (VA), Vol 11, #232, dated 29 Sept 1905.

On the 1910 Capon, Hampshire, West Virginia census, I found Charles F Nelson, 47; wife Laura S Nelson, 45; son William H S Nelso, 19; mother in law, Sarah J Sale, 66, all Virginia born. They had 3 servants.

"Charles F. Nelson, of this city, has announced his Intention of building a larger and more modern hotel at Capon Springs as soon as possible, to replace tho four-story stone and wooden structure which was burned lo the ground late Friday night, together with the store of the Misses Hannum and the post-office. The loss amounts to about $100.000, upon which there Is $39,000 insurance. The main hotel was built about sixty-one years ago, and in it's time many eminent statesmen from Washington, such as John C. Calhoun, Henry Clay, Daniel Webster and others, I wer,: entertained there. For a long time It had been patronized by members of fashionable society from all se tions of the East and South. Mr. Nelson's father-in-law, the late Captain. William H. Sale, conducted the hotel for many yeare, and during tho past few years extensive Improvements had been made, chief of which was the erection of a large annex, which was saved mainly through the elforts of Mrs. Nelson, who formed a bucket brigade and kept wet blankets on the walls until the old hotel, a four-story structure. Was burned to the ground. The new hotel will be built on a hill und will command a view of the country for miles In all directions." Per the Times Dispatch, # 18,781, dated 23 Oct 1911.

Capon Springs Hotel Burned. Winchester, Va., Oct. 21. tire, believed to be of incendiary origin, destroyed the main hotel building, known as the Mountain House. Hannum's store and the post-office at Capon Springs, Hampshire county, W. Va., last night, together with all their contents, which included thousands of dollars' worth of furnishings. The loss amounts to nearly $100,000. The hotel was insured for $37,000. Charles F. Nelson, the proprietor, had come to Winchester last night on business and an hour after his arrival he received a message that the place was afire. He at once went to the scene in an automobile. The colored servant discovered the lire in thaf portion of the building know as the auditorium, in which theatrical performances were held, and which is said to have been closed for six weeks. Mrs. Nelson, with the assistance of villagers, nailed blankets to the walls of the annex and kept them saturated i with water. This, with the heroic efforts of the volunteer fire fighters, saved the annex, and all the nearby cottages, together with the laundry, bath houses and other buildings. Nelson announced this afternoon that a larger and more modern hotel will be built at once. Per the Shenandoah Herald, Vol 94, #43, dated 27 October 1911 (see photo).

1913, ""THE OLD DOMINION Notes That Are of Interest to Virginians. " The Capon Springs Hotel property, in Hampshire county, has been sold by Charles F. Nelson to Howard Etchison, of Washington. Mr. Nelson has bought an apartment house, No. 1946 Calvert street, Washington, for $100,000." Per the Farmville Herald, Vol 23, #18, dated 14 Mar 1913.
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On the 1920 Davis, Shenandoah Co., Virginia census, I found general practice lawyer, Charles F Nelson, 56 and wife Laura S Nelson, 53, both Virginia born.

Charles Franklin Nelson was born 25 Oct 1862 in Lynchburg, VA to parents Williuam J Nelson and Sallie Rhodes. He was the spouse of Laura Sale Nelson and resided in Strasburg, VA. On 17 Nov 1947, he died in Woodstock, Stonewall District, Shenandoah Co., VA. Laura S Nelson was the informant. He was buried at Lexington, VA on the 19th (Stonewall Jackson Memorial for years was listed as Lexington, VA and later renamed Oak Grove). VA CD