Home > United States of America > Washington > Kittitas County > Ellensburg > IOOF Cemetery > William Franklin “Billy” Martin

William Franklin “Billy” Martin

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Birth	:	7 Oct 1857 Laclede County, Missouri, USA
Death	:	30 May 1934 Ellensburg, Kittitas County, Washington, USA
Burial	:	IOOF Cemetery, Ellensburg, Kittitas County, USA
Coordinate	:	47.0111008, -120.5188980
Plot	:	G-065-01
Description	:	The Life of Billy Martin Billy Martin was born in Laclede Co, Mo. the son of Sarah J. Mizer and James Martin, cradled amid the thunders of the Civil War. On approaching manhood his associates and surroundings taught him that forbearance was not a virtue, and, according to fashion, he was the owner of a pistol. But for all this he was not regarded as a quarrelsome person. The first thing that brought him into notice was the killing of a young man named Prewitt. There had been a grudge between them for a long time. They met at... Read More	The Life of Billy Martin Billy Martin was born in Laclede Co, Mo. the son of Sarah J. Mizer and James Martin, cradled amid the thunders of the Civil War. On approaching manhood his associates and surroundings taught him that forbearance was not a virtue, and, according to fashion, he was the owner of a pistol. But for all this he was not regarded as a quarrelsome person. The first thing that brought him into notice was the killing of a young man named Prewitt. There had been a grudge between them for a long time. They met at a threshing, and it was not long before a quarrel was revived. Prewitt was armed with a pitchfork, and Martin with a pistol. Martin was tried and the jury acquitted him. Afterwards, June 9,1879 the community was startled with the intelligence that Martin's uncle, George Mizer, had been shot and killed while plowing in a field. It was not known who killed him. It was alleged that an intimacy had existed between Martin and Mrs. Ann (Clinkenbeard) Mizer, and that Mizer believed that Martin had an improper relations with her. A quarrel ensued, and out of this circumstance suspicion arose that Martin was the assassin. He was arrested, indicted, and brought to trail for the murder of Mr. Mizer in February,1880. He has 112 witnesses sworn to testify in his defense , and the prosecution called Fifty-six, Totaling 160. On the trial, which lasted several days, such a web of direct and circumstance trial evidence was woven around him that the jury found him guilty of murder in the first degree, and upon the verdict was to be hung. Before the day of execution came he made love to and won the heart of Maggie Wilson, a niece of the jailer Jacob Wilson, who had often entrusted her with the duty of feeding the prisoners. On the 16th day of November,1880 when the jailer was absent, Maggie procured the keys, unlocked the door of the cell, set her lover at liberty and fled with him. She cut her long hair, dressed in male attire, mounted a mule, and rode away with him to share his fate. They traveled through several states, and finally located at Martin's Station, in Virginia. Where under the name of Cross, he began working in a blacksmith shop. Here he was suddenly pounced upon by two North Carolina officers, who mistook him for a man who had committed a crime in that state. Supposing that they wanted him for the Missouri case, he struck on with a hammer and the other with a rod of iron, and leveled both to the earth. He then fled to Sullivan County, Tennessee., where under the name of Ratcliff, He began farming. Soon, how ever, his whereabouts were discovered, and, under a proper requisition on the governor of Tennessee, Sheriff Goodall went to that state and re-arrested him, and together, accompanied by Martin's wife, they headed back to Missouri. After passing St. Louis, and on coming up a heavy grade of Dixon Hill, the prisoner jumped from the train through a window, with his shackles on, and made his escape. The train was stopped, and searched. He was not found as it was night. Maggie Martin was brought back to Lebanon, and was in jail for a time held in custody, Martin was soon recaptured. and upon a motion previously made he was granted a new trial, And upon a change of venue he was afterward tried and acquitted in the Dallas County Circuit Court. Subsequently he was tried and convicted in the Laclede Circuit Court for stealing a horse, and was sentenced to the penitentiary for a term of years. For a man so young the career of William Martin has so far been a remarkable one. The 1880 Laclede census shows a William Martin age 20 Labor as a prisoner. A Deputy of the jail was James Wilson Maggie's brother. William and Maggie's first daughters Winnie and Minnie was born Nov 1881 after Maggie served some time in jail at the home of Charles Allison. Son Ernest was born Missouri in 1884. Daughter Mary Violet 20 Dec 1887 in Missouri. Son Willard Clifford was born 2 Jan 1890 in Missouri. In 1900 they lived in Eldridge, Missouri and 1910 Rogers, Oklahoma. In 1913 son Willard married Mayme Loyd in Fergus, Montana. Parents are thought to be there also. In 1920 they was still in Fergus, Montana. 1930 no census records for him . William or Billy died 30th May 1934 and is buried in Ellensburg, Washington. As is his son Willard C. In 1898 daughter Winnie married Richard Waterman and remained in Laclede Co Missouri where her mother Maggie joined her to live after Billy's death, where she died in 1960 and is buried in the Huff Cemetery. In a death bed confession it is on record a man named Allison said," it was he who killed George Washington Mizer in 1879." I wonder if Billy ever knew of the confession or died looking over his shoulder for something he never did. The Uncle George Mizer was my 1st cousin 3 generations. Billy was my 2nd cousin 2 generations. Shirley Taylor Andrews NOTE: Billy and Margaret had a son Ernest age 16 on 1900 census who is though to be buried in this cemetery. Burial information from another contributor. Correction: Mary Francis O'Quinn Spohn was not the daughter of this Sarah Jane Mizer but the daughter of Sarah Jane Mizer 27 Aug 1833-12 Sept 1871 who was the daughter of Michael Mizer Sr. Correction from another contributor. NOTE: There may be a problem with the connection of this Mary Violet Martin with Billy and Margaret. He did have a daughter Violet born in Missouri Dec 1887 in Billy's obit he states she is in California as Mrs Violet Herring I found her husband as William Odus Herring born.1885 Miss in Montana 1920.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is William Franklin “Billy” Martin's memorial?
William Franklin “Billy” Martin's memorial is located at: IOOF Cemetery, Ellensburg, Kittitas County, USA.
When did William Franklin “Billy” Martin death?
William Franklin “Billy” Martin death on 30 May 1934 in Ellensburg, Kittitas County, Washington, USA
Where are the coordinates of the William Franklin “Billy” Martin's memorial?
Latitude: 47.0111008
Longitude: -120.5188980

Family Members:

Parent

James Martin

(1836 - 1916)

Spouse

Siblings

Children

Minnie Ann Martin Gregory

(1881 - 1944)

Willard Clifford Martin

(1890 - 1961)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. IOOF Cemetery
Ellensburg, Kittitas County, USA
Coordinate: 47.0111008, -120.5188980

2. Holy Cross Cemetery
Ellensburg, Kittitas County, USA
Coordinate: 47.0101000, -120.5669000

3. Old German Baptist Brethren Church Cemetery
Ellensburg, Kittitas County, USA
Coordinate: 46.9279000, -120.4746000

4. High Valley Memorial Park
Ellensburg, Kittitas County, USA
Coordinate: 47.0144540, -120.6521270

5. Thorp Cemetery
Thorp, Kittitas County, USA
Coordinate: 47.0502000, -120.6727000

6. Thorp-Splawn Pioneer Cemetery
Kittitas County, USA
Coordinate: 47.0800000, -120.7249000

7. Wymer Cemetery
Wymer, Kittitas County, USA
Coordinate: 46.8267433, -120.4617911

8. Swauk Prairie Cemetery
Cle Elum, Kittitas County, USA
Coordinate: 47.2019005, -120.7431030

9. Wenas Cemetery
Selah, Yakima County, USA
Coordinate: 46.7743988, -120.6243973

10. Naches Cemetery
Naches, Yakima County, USA
Coordinate: 46.7299530, -120.6896990

11. Selah Pioneer Cemetery
Selah, Yakima County, USA
Coordinate: 46.6720000, -120.5140000

12. Greenwood Historic Cemetery
South Cle Elum, Kittitas County, USA
Coordinate: 47.1751000, -120.9647700

13. Laurel Hill Memorial Park
Cle Elum, Kittitas County, USA
Coordinate: 47.1967010, -120.9591980

14. Stemilt Hill Cemetery
Wenatchee, Chelan County, USA
Coordinate: 47.3330994, -120.2596970

15. Peterson Cemetery
Yakima County, USA
Coordinate: 46.9216995, -121.0421982

16. Nelson Pioneer Cemetery
Yakima County, USA
Coordinate: 46.6404310, -120.5831510

17. Cowiche Natchez Cemetery
Cowiche, Yakima County, USA
Coordinate: 46.6490840, -120.6885330

18. Ingalls Creek Cemetery
Peshastin, Chelan County, USA
Coordinate: 47.3827780, -120.6533340

19. Pat King Burial Site
Wenatchee, Chelan County, USA
Coordinate: 47.3846940, -120.6553890

20. Roslyn Memorial Gardens
Roslyn, Kittitas County, USA
Coordinate: 47.2198000, -120.9977000

21. Lithuanian Cemetery
Roslyn, Kittitas County, USA
Coordinate: 47.2195000, -120.9985000

22. New City Cemetery
Roslyn, Kittitas County, USA
Coordinate: 47.2198000, -120.9986500

23. Croatian Cemetery #2
Roslyn, Kittitas County, USA
Coordinate: 47.2194224, -120.9990299

24. Moose Cemetery
Roslyn, Kittitas County, USA
Coordinate: 47.2196500, -120.9992000