The Ocala evening star., 1915-08-16
MURDEROUS ATTACK
ON JOHN. R. MARTIN
Attempt to Kill Him by His Nephew
Whose Mind is Evidently Un-
balanced

About 10 o'clock this morning, while
talking to his nephew, Mr.. Robert
Martin, at Knight & Lang's garage,
about a Cadillac motor that the men
were working on, Mr.. John r. Mar
tin was asked by his nephew to come
with him as he wanted a private con-
versation.
Mr.. Martin and his nephew went to
the veranda of the Ocala House and
sat down in chairs close together.
Young Martin said that his mother,
now long since dead, had spoken to
him about money that ]. r. Martin
owed her, and he had decided that
the matter had to be settled up, and
demanded that Mr.. Martin give him
check for five thousand dollars and
the matter would be closed and no
questions asked. He told his uncle
that there would be no use for him
to try to raise fuss or call for help
or get out of paying the money for
he was covered with a pistol and
would be killed the instant he made
a move. Mr.. Martin saw that his
nephew had revolver of some kind
pointed right at him, through his
coat pocket, in his right hand, and be-
gan to parley with him, telling him
that he would have to go to the Com
mercial Bank to get the money. His
nephew asked him if he did not have
a check in his pocket and he said he
had none.
The nephew said then they would
walk to the bank and they proceeded
to do so. He told his uncle that he
ould have him covered all the time,
and that any demonstration would
result in his death. They walked
over to the bank corner, the young
man keeping his word and having
the muzzle of the revolver at his
uncle's side every moment of the time.
Arriving at the entrance to the bank,
young Martin asked if it were neces-
sary that his uncle go into the vault.
His uncle said no, unless Mr.. Bitch
required him to get out some bonds,
as he really did not have that much
money Immediately available to check
against.
Young Martin said he was afraid if
he went in that his uncle would get
away from him without his getting
the money. Just then Mr.. Sam Igou
passed by, and Mr.. Martin spoke to
him. Young Martin said, "What did
you do that for?" and started to
shoot his uncle. Mr.. Martin grabbed
his nephew's hand, as he had kept
very close to him, looking for just
such a move, and was able to defect
the bullet which went downward. Mr..
Igcu and others jumped forward and
soon had Robert Martin overpowered,
Mr.. Martin holding the hand in
which the revolver was grasped.
Finding himself helpless, young Mar
tin said, "Then let me have the pis-
tol long enough to kill myself"
A crowd soon gathered, Sheriff Gal
lcway being among the first TO ar
rive. Mr.. Galloway took charge OF
the young man, who was very ner
yoIs and highly excited by that time.
ne was taken away and locked W
1Ill he could have time to cool off and
his case Investigated, as his uncle
thinks his mind is unbalanced.
Robert Martin is one of four chill
dren of Mr.. ]. r. Martins brother,
who died many years go. He is about
23 years of age and was only a child
,rhen his father died. Another broth
e. and sister died of lung trouble, he
and his sister, Mrs. Clyde Moxley,
teing the only remaining members If
his immediate family.
About five years ago as he showed
symptoms of tuberculosis, Robert
went to Denver, Colo, and has been
there since, working for an express
company. He enjoyed good health
until last winter, when he began to
fail somewhat.
He returned to Ocala a few days
ago and has been very friendly with
his uncle and cousins, Mr.. Martins
son and daughter, and before the de-
parture of the young folks for North
Carolina was out riding with them in