The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1905-03-17

Early in March, 1906 Martin Nelson, man who has had
considerable experience handling sheep and cattle and who has
the of being faithful the performance of duty, but given
gambling drinking and other vices went out to sheep camp
Big Butt the desert and few days later went to the
ranch Of T. Wyey Champagne Flat get horse which
was being wntered there The Wyley family visiting at
Arco and the place in charge Of Frank Williams ames
Watts the who carried the mail between Aco and Martin
was there for the night and Sidney Brown who lives the old
Lukenbe RANCH half mile above there there when Nelson
proposed game Of cards. After playing awhile and loong
dollar wo Nelson said he guessed he had better play any
he had money than he needed pay the eed
bill another horse which he to get at Dead Mans Flat
the next day. the cards put away and Williams said he
would get supper. AT this Nelson exclaimed v" don't
care for any SUPPER and h with the money! Lets play
more" Mr. Brown left for home and in short time
dispute between Nelson and Williams about the game
Nelson called Williams liar and other names and the
same dme arose and went out the door, Williams jumped up
and followed and he out, according the evidence
given the trial. part Of ccumstana based the splash Of
blood left on the doorstep and ground Nelson stabbed Williams
the neck short sharp stugg followed in which Williams
received more cuts in the breast and He stepped back
the house with blood gushing from his neck and ad VI
guess he got alright and fell upseng the table and the
lamp. Watts picked up the table and its legs and then
grabbed the lamp and carried the door and threw down.
Nelson stood the Of the house. unobeed and
Watts pass up the road towards the other ranch He then
the house. casting trail Of blood from finger which
had been cut by his knife going shut during the hg got
another lamp which he ed and put the table, took look
his vicdm placed Williams hat his head blew the
lamp and left for the sheep camp the desert Watts returned
soon with Brown and found Williams dead in pool Of blood
Searching parties failed to find Nelson at the sheep camp but
notified the hedr that Nelson would be down and that he
might well give himself up which he did the third day. At
first he told that Watts had done the killing then said he did
in self defense,
He stated that Williams had him down and that he con-
sdered his life in danger and stabbed himself but the
cooners jury examined the ground and the blood stains and
Williams clothing and found much to show that as Williams
passed out the door he was stabbed the nec that he fought
with his fists against knife which plunged him two
other places and then retreaed the house and fell dying
Nelson's plea Of self defense backed up by the evidence
that he pinned down and great and imminent danger Of
being killed. that he cornered up where impossible
to run to escape any deadly assault Williams only weapon
pocket knife and that pants pocket when he e and
his oveas which he wore over the pants made impossible
for him have used in the short struggle Nelson taken
to Haley and placed Jail appear before the District