Ellie did a lot of kids a great favour. The law isn't protecting children.

being a victim of molestation myself I cannot help but cheer when someone puts down one of these monsters

Child molesters are the lowest form of life. Thanks for the video

I can understand how a mother can feel about something like this. He won’t be molesting anymore kids. Great video!

ellie has my support as well as millions of others,the corrupt courts in this land is the problem.another great video jeff,thanks for your research and time.

There were several times during my law enforcement career that I wanted to just do as she did knowing the court system would not do as it was intended and punish and remove these type violators from society and protect those that can not protect themselves. I have seen what devastasting lives those molested as children live and the difficulty they have in adjusting and trust. This is so sad. I enjoy your presentations and look forward to Sundays, keep up the good work.

Nellie, in all likelihood, saved many other kids from molestation. It's also likely Willie's later problems were due to the molestation. Thanks for another fine video.

She hit the nail on the head. She did what the court system didn't.

I was working in Jamestown when this happened. It was a sad and extremely memorable day 😢My family also worked for the prison system where she was incarcerated. Such a tragedy.

Yep...remember this very well as I am from Sonora while I no longer live there my family does. ELLIE NESLER IS A HERO!!!!!!

Around the year 1920, my grandfather shot and killed his brother-in-law for beating his sister. He had a jury trial and was found not guilty, you did not beat women back in those days. if you were a child molester and was found out, you also would be brought to justice, I am not saying that my grandfather was right in what he did, I am just saying that in the 20s Ellie Nesler would not have seen prison, or not in the area where my grandfather was from. I never met my grandfather, he died in 1949.

The entire Jamestown story was such a emotional sympathy for her roller coaster. Remember it being on all the news stations back then. Great job on presenting the full story Jeff. You always surprise me by thinking nothing can top this, then comes a new video !

Thanks for sharing this very sad story Jeff... I live in Jamestown and was unaware of this history only being here since 2012. It is a shame that Ellie did what she did and a shame that her son was abused by the monster she killed. She did save many other boys from the same fate but it ruined her life in the process. May she RIP.

Living and working in Yosemite valley, 1979 through 1984, I foolishly adopted a puppy. After a very few months, it became apparent I could not adequately take care of it due to my living situation and working hours. A dear friend put me in contact with Ellie Nesler who helped me find a good home for my Balin. She was a most caring person who worked and helped me find a new home for my puppy, even though it broke my heart to give him up. Thankfully, neither I nor my dear friend were involved in this, but it goes to show the rural/local social interactions that still occurred and, likely, still do. As to my interactions with her, and my dear friend's recounting, she was a good person. No more can I say on this matter and no judgement can I make.

I feel bad for her son I was molested in boy scouts I'm one of the victims! I love your show Jeff and Sarah!!!!!👍♥️

Hello History Hunter, in spring of 2008 I met Ellie Nessler when I had a plumbing job at her daughters house in the Elk Grove, Ca. off Franklin at the border of South Sacramento. She was living with her daughter at the time. She ended up showing me all the letters and drawings that Willie had sent her from prison and told me that in fact ultimately she would have done the same thing over again because that man was just too evil. She initially was only away from Willie for I think around 2 years but it was getting involved in meth that saw her get sent back to prison. That is when willie really took a turn for the worst. I did end up talking to her over the phone 2 more times when she would call me out of the blue to try and give me 2 older RV’s in 2008 before her passing at the end of the year. It really was surreal to see her daughter on Oprah shortly after that. Anyway, your video just gave me a little flashback. Thank You for the video

Tragic all around, but she most certainly saved a lot of kids from being molested by that man. I'm just sorry more couldn't be done to help her own son. The system needs to be fixed, desperately.

This event is so tragic on so many levels. The impact of childhood sexual trauma, drug use/addiction, violence, issues in the legal/justice system. Juvenile facilities and prisons are full of victims of childhood trauma. So sad in so many ways. Thank you for re-telling these events.

It's a HARD ONE!!!! As a mother, I certainly UNDERSTAND why she did what she did, but as you said, she was taken away from the very ones she tried to protect!!!! Rest in Peace Ms. Nesler.

Another stellar production! Thanks! Loved the Live Feed yesterday!

So sad, a no win situation for the family.

Living so close to Jamestown I haven’t realized how much history it holds . Thank you for the videos very Informative history you take the time to share with us.

I vaguely remember this story. But I totally understand her frustration. The court system fails our innocent children most of the time. Just sad all around.

She stood up for her son. Sad what's happened to the hole family. Prayers she rest in peace.

Thanks Jeff for revisiting this. I had forgotten this happened in Jamestown. When someone molests a child, they give up their right to breath.

Amazing. I have mixed feelings about that simple marker. Glad you found it and gave her a simple acknowledgement.

R.I.P. Ellie. You did the right thing.

Can’t believe I didn’t know this as a local, she’s a hero

Excellent and tastefully explained, with great compassion.

I totally forgot about Ellie killing Danial Driver. Thank you for taking us back into History

Thank you for sharing...When we go into Jamestown...I will see it in a different way...We go through Jamestown frequently. taking the backroads to Yosemite.

So sad for everyone involved. 🥺

Awesome new video

Another interesting episode. I remember when when Ellie shot Driver but didn’t know what happened afterwards. What a tragedy for everyone involved. You do a good job of researching past events and reporting on the details that humanize these events. Thanks for your hard work!

I really remember this historical event. Good coverage Sir. Many lives were disrupted.

Very sad bit of history Thankyou for sharing it Jeff

Sad. Of course, no mention of the presence of the biological father as a part of the family. In small towns and large cities, broken homes too often produce broken human beings, as was and is the case with the Nesslers. Then, too, the issue of a lenient justice system. A known child molester is judged lightly prior to his killing, and even was permitted to work at a youth camp. Bizarre.

Great job Jeff. I remember the media blitz and chaos created by this case well. The jury of public opinion was generally tilted in Ellie's favor, but there was also the "law and order" set that decried her actions. How does someone arrive at the decision of which side to choose? To excuse her actions by the motto of "how could he do this to children" or " let the scales of justice decide" Definitely a quandary of decisions. It somehow became likened to an old west tale of retribution due to the setting it occurred in. There was even a band that immortalized her in a song titled "The Ballad of Ellie Nesler". Done by the Sara Dunn band. It became one of the biggest stories here in California. Great video Jeff. Thank you. You have a knack for bringing history to life.

A terrible tragedy all around . Both mom and son suffered so much. Ellie sounds like a troubled soul. Her sons life seemed to spiral out of control. This was a very complex story. Thankyou for sharing this Jeff!!

Thank you for this Amazing History Hunt.... and it was Great to see you Both the other night. I Did say hello. RIP Ellie Nesler..

What is incredible story! So sad and tugs at the hearts of any mother. I know that I have no idea how I would react to someone intentionally hurting one of my children. I have feel I am a stable and down to earth person, but all bets would be off when it came to my children. I wonder how stable of a person she actually was because it appears she had enough of her own issues to deal with the true victim is Willie and my heart goes out to him. Thanks for an absolutely fantastic video Jeff!

Sad on many levels. Great episode! And thanks for the Scripture.

I remember when this unfortunate incident took place. it garnered alot of attention at the time. thanks for filling in all the meticulous details.

The wife and I were just up there this weekend. That's the second time we were a week behind you guys. Love your channel. Glad to see another history buff and with a great channel showing local history. Hope we eventually cross paths sometime.

Such a sad and tragic story. Thank you for presenting it in such a thoughtful way. Your vlogs are always a must-see for me.

Sad that this happened to spilt the family apart, but I get how she could do such a thing. Great content as always.

Bravo Jeff, another fascinating story. I had forgotten about this tragedy. Sad all the way around....Love when you do these "different" History Hunter's stories...Thanks again!!!

Great episode. Your episodes are like mini "60 Minutes" stories.

I remember this case. It was tragic to see how it all unfolded. Thank you for sharing.

Another great episode Jeff. Thank you for all your hard work. We’ve enjoyed walking the old cemeteries of the Sierra foothills in Gold Country. Again, thanks for the vicarious visit home♥️

Thank you Jeff and Sarah for bringing us all these interesting videos and for all the hours of research filming and editing every episode requires for hunting down the history of every location. I find it so interesting of all the stories and history to be found in a cemetery.

2 words: JUSTIFIABLE HOMICIDE

Again, another GREAT step back into our history. Much thanks and gratitude for all you and Sara put into these very informative videos. I will definitely contribute to your channel. God Bless and stay safe..

This was a dark episode with no good outcome for anyone. It was good to chat with you and Sarah yesterday. Now I don't think I would be so terrified of her if I met her on the street.

Anyone in that courtroom after hearing the questioning of those children should have sliced that bastard’s throat. Those children were stripped of their innocence and their spirit was taken away. Miss Nesler deserves a monument to honor her testimony of how a mother came to her son’s protection in a moment of rage. And duly so. Thanks Jeff for such a fine job in this tragedy.

Love the twists and turns. Great story telling! ❤️This channel

Molesters have to be put down. Can't change on their own!

I really appreciate the history that you hunt and the presentation that you bring. Thank you sir. Please tell Sarah I said hi, and hope all is well on your end.

This was so well done, HH. You're getting so professional with these videos! 70K will be 700K. Wait for it! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

About 10 years ago, I was told that Ellie was a cousin. I don't think I ever met her though. If I did, I was really young. My family has deep roots in that area. Thanks for telling this story. God bless!

Tragic all the way around. If California wasn't such a lenient state when it comes to crime and criminals, this whole tragic senario would have never happened.

Thank you again and the hard work you put in it was -17 in mn this morning

Very well done video. Your reflections were easily the best part. Thank you.

Great video!

Good job on this Jeff ! It shows you put alot of work into it! Thanks! Bob

Excellent!! I had never heard of this before. Very interesting. Love your channel

Love the new intro ! I live in the east coast, thanks for the west coast history lessons ! Keep up the awesome videos!

Great story feature, Jeff! I also enjoyed your fireside chat 3 hour video the other day with your lady friend. Thank you

Wow, what an powerful story! It’s a shame how so many lives were affected by one man’s crime against children. Thank you for sharing this with us and may god keep all our children from harm!! See ya’s on the next one! Take care now! Frank from Philadelphia, PA.

I had forgot about all this, very good episode Jeff.

You really kept my attention in this video 😊 well done

Well done! Thank you.

You did a good job as usual on this story in the end it’s just a sad turn of events

I look forward to your vids every week. Thanks!

WOW- I'm hooked. Such great info. I appreciate it.

I look forward to every Sunday!

Thanks jeff, a real tragedy, definitely needs a permanent marker,

This video was moving. Very well done. I often get reminded of why I once pushed the subscibe button and why I am glad I did. Thank you.

Another great video, Jeff. Thanks for the history lesson.

I was talking to my brother about her yesterday , it’s sad on so many levels .

A tragic tale. Thanks for the video. Best wishes

Thanks for this story. Unfortunate, but she probably saved many boys.

She did what anyone would do .a brave woman .if the law's where better we would not have this kind of thing.

Great video Jeff. My heart goes out to that family I don't know what I would do if something like that happened to one of my children.

Great episode!

Hello Jeff, Thanks for sharing this interesting story. May they Rest in Peace 🙏 Have a Wonderful Sunday 🌞

Another informative episode thanks Jeff

Another excellent outing. Interesting story that I had never known about. A cautionary tale.

Very interesting! I can't wait to view your latest live. Probably tomorrow night!

Love your channel. And kudo's on the intro with the badge and six shooters. I much prefer this intro!

Your hunting often reveals how fragile & tramatic life can be. It's history that presents the facts, apprrciate your effort. The passage from Luke was so appropriate.

Sad story. You covered it very well. Thanks 👍

Another great video Jeff and Sarah. I remember this case well, but had sort of forgotten that it occurred in Jamestown. I'm torn by the case. I have no doubt that Driver deserved what he got, and not at all confident that the judicial system would have properly served justice. On the other hand, we cannot have people walking into a courthouse and shooting a criminal suspect to death either. If that is allowed, soon every crime, even minor ones, will be met by violent vigilante justice. But the injustices to criminal victims today are only worse than they were in Nesler's day, particularly in California. The state seems to be tolerating/enabling crime recently.

Thanks so much for your coverage of this incredible story. I had not heard this before and as usual you did a great job covering the details. I especially appreciated the biblical reference you included as it rings so true.

Another great story Jeff. Sad story and that had to be the saddest, loneliest grave I have ever seen. It’s a wonder you ever found it.

Being a long time local resident I remember it well. Especially the head stomping murder.

Thanks for sharing a tough, American tragedy with us. Great narration as always. 🇺🇸🚜👍

Jeff, another thought provoking video! Your talents amaze me! Your an asset to our small town! Tom Clayton

Guys you really are the best at this … luv your work once again thank you …. Jamie England uk 🇺🇸🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇺🇸🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿✌️🌹🌹

good episode. I remember that. Was following it.