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 --- Our outgoing mail is checked by ZoneAlarm AntiVirus.