Mexico weekly ledger., 1892-01-28
What Mrs. Martin Says.


ever committed in Audrain county
was enacted at Martinsburg Tuesday
night. Jethro Martin murdered his
old father. Thomas Martin, in colo
blood. The murderer was either crazy
or the most heartless wretch that ever
lived. Born of Christian parents
raised by a minister of the gospel, a
son slays his aged father in his own
house. The deed was evidently done
with a hammer or Ratchet.
At s O'Clock Tuesday night Sheriff
Adams received a telegram to come
to Martinsburg at once; that Jethro
Martin had killed his father. Mr..
Adams Immediately left for that
place in company with Coroner
Clarence Rothweli.
On arriving at the home a terrible
scene met their eyes. The poor ole
body of Thomas Martin, one of Au.
drains well-to-do citizens, lay on the
floor of his house, cold in death
The murderer had done his WORK
well and made good his escape
still being at large.
Mr.. Thomas Martin was an ole
gentleman, aged about 81 years ;hac
been married twice, the last tim,
being in st. Louis only a few year
since. BY his first wife he had fou
children-two girls and two boys
The l~atter's names are Simon, wht
is some forty years old, and ,lethro
who is about "a or %. Mr.. Martin
was ordained a Missionary Bartis
preacher, but followed tilling tn
soil more than preaching the gospel
He was considered a straightforward
upright man, respected highly i
the community and was well of
owning land near Martinsburg an
property in the burg.
Jethro and his father, it seems
got along lily together. 1t is report
ed he often cursed his father an
treated him wrongfully. Jethr
is said to be a smooth trader i
J stock, but otherwise was not exceed
ingly bright. He has been farmin
near Martinsburg at intervals durin
his life. He spent some Of his tim
in st. Louis. He would never tax
advantage of schooling oppo.
tunities very readily.
WHAT MRS. MARTIN SAYS.
Mrs. Martin testified at the Core
ner's inquest this morning about tt
following facts: | am Mrs. Emm
Martin, the second wife Of Thoms
Martin, deceased. He was 81 yea
old and had four children by his fir
wife. Two of them live in Audrai
county, Simon Martin and Emn
Wilburn. | was at home last nigl
with my husband shortly before
was murdered. Jethro was also wit
us. He had some photographs of
pillow which he was trying to get
patent on. He was talking about Il
photos. Martin wanted to kno
what he was going to do. He sa
he did not know what to do unle
he had some money. Said he w;
not able to work. Ny husband pr
posed to get him a place in TOW
where he could rest and regain h
health, as it was somewhat impa:
ed. He said that when spring ope
ed he had 40 acres of land that J
thro could help clear up, but he sa
he could not give him any none
Jethro did not tell him whether
would accept this proposition or nj
Before my husband made the abo
proposition he offered Jethro
which he would not accept unless
could give him more. Before |
I said to my husband, "'let me $
something" and | said, do Y
think after you have helped Jetf
he viii do any better?" and Jetf
replied, swhat have you got to
: with it?' My husband then said
7 me, "don't you two fuss / s:
t / would not fuss and got my sha
| and went over to Mr.. Cornett
. During this conversation my h
band ard I were in the southw
room and Jethro was In the nor
| west room and the door was OF
: between us. But when Mr.. Mar
) said, ssdon't quarrel, ne shut
/ door and I opened it when went
!, ter the shawl to leave. There '
no fire in the northwest room, bu
: fire in the kitchen, which Is
southwest room. Mr.. Martin 9