SURPRISE VALLEY RECORD, CEDARVILLE, MODOC COUNTY, CAL
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21, 1935
(Headlines)
RENEGADE WHITE ON RAMPAGE SLAYS WHITE MAN
BILL CLEMENTS MAY FACE NOOSE FOR HOMICIDE
ADIN TRAGEDY CLAIMS LIFE OF FRANK MARTIN, INDIAN
Bill Clements, a 25-year old renegade white man is held in the county jail
at Alturas facing a possible first degree murder charge as a result of a
party at the Indian camping ground on the Ash Valley road in Adin Sunday
night, which resulted in the slaying of Frank Martin, 37-year old hunchback
Indian.
Clements, who has claim to a quarter Indian blood is disputed alike by the
Indians with whom he has associated and his blonde complexion, confessed to
Deputy Sheriff Ray Tierney Monday night that he had slain the cripple as the
climax to the regular Sunday drinking bout at the Indian camp.
Meanwhile, Want Kelly, who served with distinction in the army during the
world war, his son Leland Kelly, Raliegh Dibble, a young Indian
brother-in-law of the dead man and Dewey Dibble, were held by the sheriff’s
office as material witnesses.
Clements, a surly blonde, had been in exile from Modoc County for about a
year, as a result of boating up Harrison Wilson in an altercation in Alturas
sometime last year. He had been living in Lassen County with Susie Jack and
they had returned Sunday to the Indian camp near Adin, where they joined in
the fun-making.
Frank Martin, his wife, Want Kelly and his wife, Leland Kelly, Mose Taylor
and several other Indians were encamped near the old slaughter house at Adin
and were making preparations to celebrate the weekend with a feast.
There was some trouble between Clements and some of the boys at Adin in the
afternoon. In the evening, the trouble was renewed and Clements knocked down
Frank Martin with a club.
Dewey Dibble then intervened, protesting in an exchange between Clements and
Dibble, the white man was slashed across the abdomen with a knife.
Later the Indians discovered that the old man was badly hurt. They summoned
medical aid and were informed by the physician that Martin’s skull was
hopelessly crushed and that he would die.
Dr. Tinsman called the sheriff’s office in Alturas, but was unable to get
anyone, as most of the sheriff’s force, were out of town, but he placed a
call for Pat McHugh. At three o’clock on Monday morning, Deputy George Kelly
and Buck Dygert went to Adin, where they returned Clements and Dibble to
Alturas.
A coroner’s inquest was held Monday under Deputy Coroner John Ballard and
Justice of the Peace, Frank D. Harbert. They returned a verdict finding that
martin had met his death at the hands of Bill Clements.
The burial feast was rudely interrupted by the arrest of Want Kelly, whose
sister was living with Martin and the other boys from the camp.
Leland Kelly, the 17-year old son of Want Kelly, thus has been a witness tot
he two last killings in Modoc. He was present when Comon Pedee beat his wife
to death on the banks of Pit River in Alturas on July the 5th.
The victim was buried today. District Attorney Wylie may file a first-degree
murder count on his return to Modoc County tomorrow. (1:6)
RETURNS TO HOME IN PORTERVILLE
Miss Ina Stiner and mother, Mrs. Jessie Stiner leave tomorrow for their home
in Porterville, after a short visit with friends and relatives here. Tho’
past ninety years of age, Mrs. Stiner enjoys traveling and has visited the
exposition at San Diego and then made the trip to Surprise Valley to visit
her sons, Jess and Arthur Stiner and families. They will be accompanied on
their return trip by Miss Marcella Stiner, who has accepted a position as
music teacher in the high school at Delano. Their many friends here were
very glad to see them again.
CHARLES SUMMERS LAID TO REST
Funeral services were held at Adin today for Charles Summers, a pioneer of
Modoc County. Mr. Summers died Sunday from senile dementia.
Surviving relative’s are Mrs. Arthur Ingraham of Alturas and Ralph Summers
of Alturas. (1:3)
HARRY WARD IS UNDERGOING SKIN GRAFTING PROCESS
Harry G. Ward, popular supervisor of District No. One, who was in a
automobile accident in Shasta County, is reported to be improving at this
writing, from the injuries sustained to his arm.
At the time of the accident, Mr. Ward suffered the loss of considerable
flesh on his left hand and which necessitated the grafting of skin, which
delicate operation seems to have been successful. Eleven pieces of skin were
grafted on the injured member and all are reported living.
Physicians state that the above percentage of grafts is exceptional, for in
most cases, fifty per cent of the grafts die. The grafting is done by a new
electrical process. The hand is now filling in and reports are that Mr. Ward
will be able to return to his home within a period of two months.
Bob Smith, Modoc’s County Clerk, who also figured in the accident is
reported doing well. Bob sustained a broken shoulder, which necessitates a
leather cast to hold his arm at a right angle. It is thought that Mr. Smith
will be able to return to Modoc within the next ten days or so.
FORT BIDWELL HIGHLIGHTS
Mr. and Mrs. Walter Cambron and family of Eagleville spent last Sunday with
Mrs. Cambron’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Hickerson.
Miss Frances Burch of Lakeview was paying a visit to her granddaughter, Mrs.
Carrie Robidoux last Sunday.
Mrs. Ora Ash, who has been quite ill for sometime is under the care of Dr.
Leithead of Lakeview, Oregon at this writing she is somewhat improved.
LAKE CITY NEWS NOTES
Mr. and Mrs. R. O. Ward left for Redding last week to visit with Harry Ward
at the Carolina Hospital. Harry Ward is having skin grating done to his hand
and is getting along as well as could be expected.
LOCAL ITEMS FROM ALTURAS
Mrs. Avis Morrison is here from Chico visiting with her mother, Mrs. Lena
Layton.
NEWS NOTES FROM NEW PINE CREEK
The many friends of Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Moffitt in this section were shocked
when word was received about their car accident. Mr. and Mrs. Moffitt were
returning from a visit to their son, John Jr., and his family at Bend. It is
a pity that a bad accident of this kind should befall Mr. and Mrs. Moffitt,
when some people try their best to break their necks going at a rate of 80
and 90 miles an hour. It was at first feared that Mrs. Moffitt’s back was
broken, but the last report the writer received was that her back was not
injured much; her hip bone was cracked and her knee cap injured. We hope to
hear of her early recovery.
Mrs. Moffitt taught for a number of years in our Grammar School here, the
last two terms she taught at Cogswell Creek and this year, by these two
schools consolidating, Mrs. Moffitt and Mrs. Dick were elected to teach this
coming term.
Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Swank, Mrs. S. A. Goodman and Mrs. Cora Frye of San
Francisco, Cal., are visiting at the home of Walter Butler. Mrs. Goodman is
a sister of Mr. Butler and Mrs. Swank and Mrs. Frye are nieces of our good
citizen.
Mr. and Mrs. Morris Dick and their daughter, Dorris, returned from Berkeley
one day last week. They went to have an operation performed on Dorris for
goiter; but the specialist advised not to operate at this time.
~~~~~~
Billie C. & Anita 'Jean' Reynolds
Family Researcher of "The Last Frontier"
Modoc County, California
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