Mexico weekly ledger., 1893-08-24
A Desperate Killed.
GEORGE MARTINS TERRIBLE BAT
TIE WITH MURDERER
FRED NEFf.
Neff Killed Just Before an Officer
Reached Him With q Warrant For
Marder-An Odd Incident.

Sheriff r. e. See, of Montgom-
cry county, arrived in Mexico Tues
day with a desperado's belt, filled
with penty of ammunition and two
ugly looking revolvers, which were
spotted with human blood.
Here is the story told by the
Sheriff:
Fred Neff was a desperate of the
first water. He was raised in Gala
way county, near Portland. He be-
gun his lawless career while very
young. He was sent to the peni-
Tertiary from Montgomery county
several years ago. He got a five
years sentence. A year or so ago
he a released.
After Fred Neff was released from
the State penitentiary he went to
Gasconade county. ~
About one year ago Neff murder
ed a man in Gasconade county.
Sheriff See does not remember
the particulars nor the name of the
man that Neff killed.
The officers, it seems, have been
after Neff ever since the crime was
committed, but not until right re-
Gently did they hear of him.
Yesterday the Sheriff of Gasco.
made county sent Sheriff See, of
Montgomery county, to Portland to
see if he could arrest the MUIR
derer, Fred Neff. Sheriff See pass
ed through Mexico yesterday en-
route to Portland armed to take his
prisoner dead or alive. Neff had
said he would never be taken and
was always prepared for battle.
At Fulton Sheriff See was joined
by Sheriff Windsor, of Galloway.
These two officers started for Fred
Neff's fathers house (Fritz. Neff),
which is close to Portland.
AN ODD INCIDENT.
Just as the officers got within a
short distance from Portland they
were surprised to learn that the man
they were after had just a few min
utes previous been killed by Geo.
D. Martin while the two were en-
gagged in a terrible fight.
The killing occurred at $50 yes
terday evening.
The shooting took place near
Portland, on the public road.
Martin was walking along the
road attending to his own business.
He met Fred Neff and two other
men riding in a wagon. When
Neff saw Martin he jumped out of
the wagon and ran up to Martin.
After accusing Martin of having
him (Neff) indicted in Galloway
county for gambling, Neff began
beating Martin over the head with
the butt end of one of his revolvers.
Martin was unarmed-taken by sur
prise. A fight to kill took place,
Neff's two companions staying in
the wagon and not interfering.
Finally Martin got his hand on
one of Neff's revolvers and, wrench
ing it out of the desperado's hand,
fired.
Fortunately the ball went through
the body of Fred Neff and he fell
to the ground dead. The ball en-
tered under the left arm and came
out of the right breast.
Martin cannot understand how
be did it. He is not positive but
what the pistol went off accidental
ly.and was guided by the hand OF
Providence. He is, however, aware
of the fact that he is seriously in
jured by being beaten over the head
with the revolver that afterwards
did such good work.
An inquest was held over the
body at 8 O'Clock Monday night BYE
w. Ladman, Justice of the Peace al
Portland. The verdict was in &C.
cordance with the above.
Marshal Kemp says he knew Nef
when he was a good little white.
headed "kid."
Quite a number of Mexico people
knew Fred Neff, who was killed by
George Martin in Galloway county
Monday. Mr.. Martin was perfectly
justified in the act and no arrest wal
made. Neif had been the terror
of the valley in which he lived-ht
had that neck of woods afraid o.
him. Mr.. Martin, whom Neff as
saulted, is a devout Christian ant
stands high in the community il
which he lives. From what thu
LEDGER knows OF the affair, it wa
fortunate for Missouri to get rid o
such a desperate so cheap. Sheriff
See with his warrant was like tn
pardon that came too late.
A Simple Corn Harvester.
Both wings fold under the plat