Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1880-05-04

Full Particulars of the Killing Of
Billy Martin by Johnny Brent.
[sentinel Extra. May 2nd.

run FaFtlcuhars Oh the KILLING Oh
Billy Martin by Johnny Brent.
[sentinel Extra. May 2nd.J
About 3:15 this morning the report was
flashed over town that Billy Martin was
shot, and lay dead in the Tiger saloon.
Upon repairing thither the SENTINEL re-
porter found the place crowded, and could
only gather a few notes. Many stories
were afost, but the most plausible state
ment is as follows Johnny Brent and
Billy Martin had been travelling together
nearly all night, drinking and socially en-
joying themselves, as friends. But a few
minutes before the shooting commenced
they quarreled, ~playfully, as bystanders
supposed, as to who should pay for a So
cial glass. They sauntered into Joe Mem
des' saloon and sat down; ordered the
drinks, and we're about to partake OF the
same, when those near by overheard Brent
say :" Well, l am as good a man as any Of
them !" Martin and Brent both arose,
clinched, tussled q moment; Brent got
loose and retreated.
Martin ven down after his six-shooter,
and showed the same by elevating it, when
there were three shots fired-two in rapid
succession, when Martin fell, face forward,
about midway of the saloon, dead.
When the S~ENTINEL's reporter reached
the saloon, Martin was lying on his face,
doubled up, and a Colts navy revolver lay
close to his right hand. 1t was reported
that three chambers were empty in Mar
tins pistol. Brent was still holding to his
gun, and arguing with officers Mooney and
Dan Patterson that he wouldn't hurt any
one, but that he did not want any one to
get any advantage over him. The officers
at once arrested Brent and took him to Jail,
Coroner Smith was sent for, and immedi-
ately appeared upon the scene, when the
| remains Of Martin were conveyed to Has
kell's Undertaking establishments
Martins death in this manner is not un-
expected to the majority Of those who best
knew him, as he has been in the habit Of
showing his revolver frequently
upon occasions when intoxi-
Gated. and, people knowing
that he was an excellent shot, were not ex-
pected to take many chances. Martin was
a whole-souled man, and many will regret
the manner OF his death.
The above are the material portions Of
the extra issued from this Office a few mo-
ments after the tragedy. The Coroner's
inquest held yesterday puts us in posses
bAOh W q low auultiOldl 0Seos
1t appears that at an early hour during
the night Brent had given Martin $40 to
keep for him. On entering the Tiger sa-
loon Martin returned the money, and there
seemed to be some little feeling between
the parties over the matter. They pro-
| ceeded back about midway of the saloon,
and before any one could realize that there
was a difficulty, or any cause for one, the
men were clenched in a deadly struggle.
Only a few words passed between them.
Brent is said to have remarked, al am as
good a man as any Of them, /" at which Mar
tin began to go for his pistol. There could
not have been any great difference in the
drawing, though a majority of the eye-wit-
nessess assert that Martin got out his pistol
first. Martins was an old-fashioned Colts,
while Brent's was a self-cocking Whistler.
This probably accounts for the fight ter
minating as it did. Both were quick,
brave, determined men. OF the three
| shots fired only one took effect, the ball
| entering Martins right side, and ranging
| upwards, came out on the left side of the
neck. The neck was, in fact, broken. The
physicians say that Martin was killed in
| stantly.
Two bullet holes, some seven or eight
feet apart, are to be seen in the floor. They
seem to have entered from opposite direc-
tons. These, with the ball which entered
| Martins body. account for the three shots.
1t is claimed that Martin did not succeed
in firing a shot. Three chambers of his
| pistol were empty. Col. Monroe says it
was in that condition when he got it from
| behind the bar at Marion Farrell's old sa-
loon at about midnight. Brent's pistol
had three loads out.
All agree that after the fight had once
started one or the other of the men must
go. 1t was a life or death struggle. Had
the men been duly sober it is not likely
that the trouble would have occurred.
Brent seems to greatly deplore the sad
affair.
Billy Martin, though a good-hearted
man, had become reckless Of late years.
He had domestic troubles and obtained a
divorce from his wife, being awarded the
custody Of the little girl, about six years
Of age, who lives with Mrs. Hymers, the
widow Of the late Gus. Hymers. He had
not been the same man after the difficulty
in his family. His wife vent to Dayton,
Lyon county, where she married the slayer
of her brother-in-law. 1t is supposed that
| she will now endeavor to regain the little
girl.
The facts elected before the Coroner's
Jury were substantially as we have re-
counted them. The Jury under the law
was not required to fix the nature of the
| offense, though we learn from the Coroner
that an informal ballot was taken. They
stood nine for justifiable homicide to three
against.
The funeral of the deceased took place
yesterday afternoon, the remains being
followed to their last resting place by a
large number of Borrowing friends and
acquaintance. The cortege was headed
by q brass band playing a solemn dirge.
| VIM. Martin was a native of Cumberland,
Maryland, aged 40 years.
The preliminary examination Of Brent
will be commenced before Justice Cromer
at / o'clock P. NJ. to-day. Mr.. A. M. Hill
house has been secured for the defense.