Peter B. Martin

MARTIN, MCWILLIAMS, HELPHREY, BOYNTON, MCCUEN, SLOW, GILL, PECK

Posted By: Carrie Robertson (email)
Date: 10/19/2016 at 20:46:45

Thursday November 2, 1905
The funeral of the late P.B. Martin was held from the Methodist church Thursday of last week. The services were largely attended and were conducted by the pastor, Rev. T.M. Evans. The floral offerings were many and beautiful. Trojan lodge, No. 548 A.F. & A.M. attended in a body and had charge of the exercises at the grave. It was one of the largest attended funerals ever held here. Many Cedar Rapids friends were present. Members of the police force of that city, in uniform, attended in a body and marched in the procession.
The following obituary was read:
Peter B. Martin was born March 12, 1844, in Smithfield, Jefferson county, Ohio, and died October 28, 1905, aged 61 years, 7 months and 11 days. When 17 years old he enlisted in the first regiment Ohio infantry and served three years and three months. At Missionary Ridge he was wounded in the hand, which was crippled so as to be practically useless. In 1867 he came west and settled in Linn Grove, Linn county, Ia. In January, 1870, he was married to Margaret J. McWilliams. After his marriage he moved to a farm about ten miles north of Marion, upon which he lived until about thirteen years ago, when he came to Marion and took up his residence until his death. He was a father of six children--Flora B. Helphrey, Edna A. Boynton, E.W, W.D., Etheln M. and and [sic] Ernest, all of whom were home for the obsequies of their father except E.W. He has one brother, William A. Martin, of Des Moines, and three sisters, Mary A. McCuen, of Mechanicsville, Ia.; Jane Slow of Eagle Grove, Ia.; and Margaret Gill, of Wheeling, W.Va. All of whom were present except Mrs. Gill. Hazel May Peck, a granddaughter, almost 10 years of age, made her home with him. All these names as constituting his family survive him and are deeply shocked at the awful tragedy of his passing.
Mr. Martin was widely known from his business, as an auctioneer, a kind of work to which he was well adapted. Also he had filled the office of constable, practically ever since he had moved to town from the farm. For the past year and more he has added to his other work that of city marshal, being appointed by the present mayor. Mr. Martin made a good soldier, brave and reliable. He saw much service and was already ready for the fray. He seemed to know not what fear was and was as resolute as he was fearless. A man of iron will and determination, be performed the duties of his office to the general satisfaction of the public. He was a good father, and a king husband, and his family, now for the first time broken, has the profound sympathies of the community, especially in view of the violet character of his death.

**Note: Shot in the heart while serving an eviction notice.**

MURDER AT CEDAR RAPIDS.
Constable Martin, an Old Official, Killed in Cold Blood.
While removing furniture on a writ of execution from the home of Mrs. Zetta Eckles, 322 Seventh avenue, Cedar Rapids, Constable Peter Martin was shot dead by Mrs. Eckles shortly after 5 o’clock Monday evening. He fell dead in the hallway of her home, and as the life blood flowed from a bullet wound just above his heart, the murderess rushed out to the dray, pulled off some of the articles of furniture and carried them back into the house. But for the prompt arrival of police officers she would have unloaded the wagon.
For fifteen years Peter Martin had been constable at Marion. He had the confidence and esteem of the whole community. He was a veteran of the civil war in which he served for four years. While in a charge during the war the middle of one of his hands was shot away so that he practically only had one hand which he could use. This is probably the reason why he could not take the revolver away from the woman when she first brought it out and threatened to shoot him. The news of the murder quickly spread last evening, and everywhere it caused deep sorrow and intense indignation
The murder was both foul and deliberate. Recently Mr. Hirsh secured a judgment against the woman and her husband, Chris Eckles for a debt of $9.08; he also secured an execution. The execution was given to Constable Martin to serve. He had given the woman plenty of warning and plenty of time to get the money. He went to her house Saturday and explained to her fully what had been done, and told her that unless she obtained the money and paid him he should be obliged to take the furniture.
Source: Decorah Republican Oct. 26, 1905 P6 C3

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