The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1895-11-19

KaySville, on July 10 last
The tragedy is well remembered by
the public The defendant lived with
his step-father, the deceased, at Kays-
Vile, for many years. He was gener-
ally considered to be Of weak intellect
for at least ten years past. Before that
time he was quite smart and was
musician of some note. He was in
capable of earning a living for years,
and all the work he did was some little
chores around the house and some
times attending to the COWS. On the
night before the tragedy Boynton told
Nephi to go and milk the COWS. Nephi
was unwilling to do so, and few
sharp words passed, but nothing hap
pened which arose to the dignity of a
row. The next morning about o'clock
Blamircs took an ak and going to the
old gentleman'S room, While the latter
was still in bed, attacked him with the
ak, almost chopping off his head, caus-
ing instant death. Blamires made no
attempt to escape. was perfectly COOL
said he had killed the old gentleman,
and seemed to think it was all right.
and that he had done nothing out Of
the way
The appearance of the man in court
yesterday clearly indicated that he was
not in his right mind.
Assistant UnlIeQ states Attorney
HoWat prosecuted, and Attorneys FL
mer B. Jones and Harry McCallum de-
Tended.
The defendants attorneys said their
defense was that Blamires had been
insane for years, was insane when the
murder was committed, and was now
insane.
The court ordered that a jury be i'm
paneled to try Blamires as TO his san
ity.
Disapp ointed in Love.
II. J. Sheffield was the first witness.
He was the hrother-in-law of the priS-
oner, having married his sister. He
had lived in Kaysville fifteen years.
The prisoner was 40 years of age. Mr..
Sheffield then told OF Blamires having
laeen very active in KaySville Societ,
nfteen years ago; he then told Of the
injury received from the blow on the
head and his change of disposition con-
sequent thereon, as had been stated by
Attorney Jones. Mr.. Sheffield also told
OF Mr.. Blamire'S love affair. in which
the young lady did not desire his at
tentionS, and said that Blamires con-
tinued to grow more peculiar after that
time. He thought there was conSpi-
racy formed against him. He would
go to storekeepers and tell them what
they should keep and how to conduct
their business. Mr.. Sheffield related
many instances of peculiar conduct and
stated that from these he was fully
convinced that Blamires was mentally
deranged. On cross-examination, Mr.
Sheffield said the greatest change was
when he could not get the young lady
he wanted. While growing mentally
worse, RlamireS also grew physically
weaker.
Mayor of NaysyiIle.
Thomas Phillips, residing at Kays-
Vile, is the present mayor of that city.
Has known Blamires twenty years AS
young man he was fairly bright and
energetic He enjoyed society then
and took an active part in events of
the town. About ten years ago
change took place, he became morose
and respondent and stunned society
Nine years ago he made speeches to
imaginary audiences in the open air.
His manner was at these times excited
He appeared as if he got his inspira-
ton from Grover Cleveland. When
ased question he would say before
answering. L will see what Mr.. Cleve-
land has to say about that and, after
putting his head in a listening attitude,
would in short time reply. He did
little work for the last ten years but
chores around the house. He acted in
very peculiar manner for years and
was, witness considered. not in his
morning of July 10 last when the deed
was committed. Mr.. Boynton's son
came to witness house early in the
morning and said that he was afraid
Blamires had killed his father Wit
Tess said he can't have done that
but young Boynton said he thought
he had as he saw blood around.
When the body was found Nephi was
clipping his whiskers with a pair Of
scissors. He was the coolest man
there. When Intercepted he said he
had done the deed with an ak; that his
step-father was going to turn him
out Of house and home: that he was
too weak to make d living and he
thought it was better his step-father
should die than that he should He
was very cool all through and when
placed under arrest. The defendant
was generally quiet and not vicious.
Only knew of him being in a quarrel
once and then he got a blow on the
head with a shovel Witness thought
Blamires was insane.
Great Reforrner
George Swan knew Blamires for
many Years. He was bright, intelli-
gent youth but q number of years ago.
he became morbid, respondent and
norose- He avoided all company and
acted in very peculiar manner.
He had great number of wild
schemes in his head He wanted the
name of the city of KaysVille changed
to the city of Emmloe, only three
houses built in each side of each block
one at each corner and one in the
middle. He wanted all the houses
which were not built on that plan
pulled down. He thought one railroad
was enough in the valley, and asked
witness and others to use their in
duence TO stop the Union Pacific and
allow the r. G. w. alone to run and
to compel that company to have sta
tions at distance of five miles from
each other. He wanted the towns along
the road built exactly five miles apart,
and in the towns he wouldn't allow any
electric cars, but would have omni-
buses instead. He wanted a grand
musical academy built at Kaysville,
with pianos on the first floor, organs
on. the second and smaller instruments
on the third floor. Salt Lake City was
to be a grand commercial center of
sixty-mile district
Judge Howat-Did he want the cap-
ital removed to Provo? Gaughter)
Judge King-The court might be
little insane on that point
Witness, continuing, said Blamires
told him that if the reforms he pro-
posed were instituted capital would
flow in from everywhere in abundance.
Witness never knew Of Blamires hav-
ing any i'll will or any grudge against
Boynton before the murder.