The herald., 1894-04-11
A npcppr rpAGEnV
N ~ AAJn1t a AOtAO ~ ~ ~ a
FATAL RESULT OF A QUARREL
OVER A CLAIM.
One Miner Shoots Anuthsr Dsad- Self
Defense Claim cd The Shooter
surrcndsrs HIM
self.

The Riverside Enterprise OF yesterday
contains the following: A case OF homi-
eide involving a question of jurisdiction
between Riverside and San Bernnrdino
counties came to light last Sunday, when
Charles Martin made his appearance at
thorities there that he had killed man
named James, but did not know in which
county no had committed the deed. The
scene Of the tragedy, he said, WAS on the
desert near Cottonwood springs and
nearly 40 miles north OF Indio. Martin
claims that he acted in seli-dsiense, and
his account of the affair is substantially
90 follows:
He left San Bsrnardino about six
weeks ago with grub stake from Byron
Waters to prospect on the desert north
of Indio. On Monday, April I'd, he
located a quartz claim, which 10 sup
posed to be quite rich. Two days lnter
James located the whole or part of the
same ground. The day the killing oc
cured, Martin met James on the claim
in the presence OF Mesers. Myer and
McHaney. James asked Martin, point
ing to q monument, ii it was his. He
replied in the affirmative, whsreupon
James said, You go and tear it down
or will cut your heart out" Martin
replied: II will not tear the monu-
ment down. aud you will not cut my
heart out.n At that james made
lunge at Martin with q knife. He cut
him on the left arm neat the shoulder,
the cash being about three inches long.
He cut through his shirt and into the
hesh. He also stabbed him twice
over the left nipple; cut cash near
the right nipple three inches
long horizontally and another
vertically across, the last three inches
hvts sAee HRt flS tAs EsVg1 Vg1as afSaSSg SeasnSgsT s q
the breast. Two cuts were also made on
Martins left hand. which he was using
to ward off the blows OF the knife.
Martin had no weapon end was guard
ing against the cutting with his left
hand. A gun belonging to one of the
oSher men was lying on, the ground sew
eral feet back of whereb the men we're
struggling. AS James kept advancing
with the, knife Martin grabbed the gun
and shot while he was advancing. This
did not atop him and another shot was
fred, taking effect in James breast and
killing him. The miners in the locality
then congregatsd, examined into all the
circumstances and the meeting then con-
cluded to bury the body, owing to the
heat of the desert and the long defiance
to the railroad.
Immediately after the tragedy
Martin went to San BernaYdino and
the coroner's and sheriff'a Office was
notified. The men who witnessed the
tragedy are there ready to testify.
The San Bernsrdino sheriff made no
arrest Sunday, owing to the fact that
there appeared to be no necessity,
Martin was there to give himself up and
there was no evidence OF the killing ex-
cept his own statement, and there wau G
strong belief that the event occurred in
Riverside and not in San Bernardino
county.
On receipt OF the news in this city
yesterday. District Attorney Anderson
and Deputy Sheriff Robinson went over
to San Bernardino. They called at
District Attorney Oster's Office. Byron
Waters, Martins attorney. suggested
that tho arreHt of Martin be deferred
until today, and that surveyor be sent
out to ascertain whether the killing oc-
Cured in San Bernardino or Riverside
county. The matter was discussed at con-
siderable length. From all that could bs
learned from those acquainted with the
locality where the killing occurred it
seems probable that the place was be-
tween one and two miles beyond the line
in San Bernardino county. It was
finally agreed that surveyor shall 90
down at once and ascertain the locality
definitely. The party which will accom-.
pany him will disinter the remains OF
James and bring them to San Bernardo
no, where an inquest will be held.
District Attorney Anderson aud Depu-
ty Robinson after the conference returned
to this city. If ii is developed that the
killing occurred in this county, Mr.. An
derson will act; otherwise the trial will
take place in San Bernardino county.
Martin will be arrested today and held
pending the determination of the ques-
tion OF jurisdiction.
Martin was photographed yesterday
without clothing, so as to preserve the
evidence afforded by his wounds OF the
truth of his story.