Macon County Biographies N THOMAS NELMS came to Macon County in 1827, from Logan County, Ky., and settled where WIlliam C. Smith now resides; died from the effects of a tree falling upon him, perhaps about 1830. A remarkable incident is related in connection with the tree causing the death of Mr. N. After it was cut down, and before being split, there was one continuous tingling sound came from it, similar to that heard from the splinters when a tough stick of wood is being split. This continued long after the logs were made into rails and laid up in a fence. The attention of travelers was attracted by the peculiar noise, while they were passing along the road by the side of the fence. The fact of this singular and unexplainable circumstance was attested by many of the early settlers -- some of whom are stIll living. That the strange freak had any connection with the killing of Nelms, as was strenuously insisted, is probably without foundation. Smith, J. W. (1876). History of Macon County, Illinois, from its organization to 1876. Springfield, Ill: Rokker's Printing House. P. 272. Transcribed and annotated by Judy Rosella Edwards. HOME ©2008 Genealogy Trails