Submited by Modene (Knight) Thornton, June 15, 2010
May 18, 1888
A FOUL MURDER
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A Prisoner in Charge of an Officer Killed from Ambush
The RECORDER regrets to have to record a cold-blooded assassination which
occurred Wednesday night near the southern boundary line
of our county, but in Leon county. The particulars of the affair, as well as we
can learn them are as follows: A citizen of this county, Mr. R. T.
Martin, who lived a few miles south of Luna was arrested by Constable Linson, of
Buffalo, on the affidavit of a negro, charging Martin with
stealing a yearling. The Constable was taking him to Buffalo, in the night, and
when in about half-mile of town, Martin was shot from ambush by two or
more parties, and killed, living only about an hour and a half. He was shot with
buckshot in several places, in the side, back, hip and shoulder, and
the wonder is that he lived as long as he did. The shooting occurred between 11
and 12 o'clock. Martin fell from his horse, and lay by the road-side
until the Constable could go to town and get help to remove him. The occurrence
took place near a widow lady's house on the road, and she and her
daughter stood by the dying man until assistance came, and while carrying him to
her house he died. It is said he recognized his murderers, and told
the ladies who they were, making a statement to them.
Several parties were suspected soon afterwards, and a hat dropped on the ground
near the scene gave the officers a clue to the
murderers. Sunday following the crime, Sheriff Childs arrested three men, John
and Ed Smith, C. H. Hughes, who are charged with the murder, and were
lodged in jail here to await an examining trial, which will come off today at
Buffalo.
We hear that the negro who made the affidavit against Mr. Martin has dodged the
officers and so far evaded arrest. The affidavit is
said to have been based upon a falsehood, and the whole thing now seems to have
been a plot to have Mr. Martin taken along the road at night in order
to murder him. The time and place of the killing and other circumstances
connected with it point strongly to this conclusion. With what may have been
Mr. Martin's character as an honest or dishonest man, we have nothing to do,
with good law-abiding men that should cut no figure; but it stands out a
plain undeniable fact that his killing was a most brutal cowardly and shocking
murder, and calls loudly for the severest penalty of the law for
cold-blooded midnight assassination.
LUNA LOCALS
October 17, 1887
Mr. John Tucker, the constable, came into town Monday with several persons
arrested for assault on Robert Martin. The Justice of the
Peace, being sent for came and opened court. The Defendants waived an
examination and they were bound over in small bonds as follows: John Wade,
$500; Ed Smith, $300; Willie Wade, as an accomplice, $100. Two little boys,
Wallace Wade and Willie Smith, aged 10 and 12 years, respectively, were
released. It is said Mr. Martin is very badly cut with a knife.
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