William "Billy" Murray Martin

William Martin of This City is Victim of Tetanus in Tenn.

William Martin, 18-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Martin of this city passed away at a hospital in Morristown, Tenn., at 6:30 o'clock last Saturday morning, death being due to tetanus, or lockjaw, and pneumonia.

"Billy," as he was known to his many friends here, left for Tennessee early in August with C. R. Follett, horse buyer, and arrived in Bristol shortly after. Together they held stock sales, and it was during one being held September 9th that the lad was kicked by a horse, suffering a deep wound on his leg. Treatment was given and the wound was apparently healing up, when, on Thursday, Sept. 17, while conducting another sale, the boy became suddenly ill, complaining of pains in the back of his head and neck.

He was rushed to Morristown immediately but the affliction had taken too strong a hold and death came to relieve the intense suffering early Saturday. The remains were placed in charge of morticians at Morristown, and prepared for shipment to his home here, arriving yesterday morning, and taken in charge of George Earl Peet Mortuary, who is directing arrangements.

Funeral services will be held from the Baptist church at 2:30 o'clock this (Thursday) afternoon, Rev. B. F. Farrar, pastor, officiating. Interment will be made in the Lusk cemetery.

Deceased is survived by his parents, and one sister, Grace, of this city.

William Martin was born November 25, 1912 at the ranch home about 14 miles northeast of Lusk, and until about four years ago lived on a ranch in that vicinity with his parents. They moved to this city in 1927 since then making their home here. William had received his education in the schools of Kirtley and Lusk, and was well known to many of the younger group of this city, and to all those in the Kirtley district. His untimely death came as a sever shock to all, and the Free Lance joins in extending heartfelt condolences to the bereaved.

Lusk Free Lance
October 1, 1931
William Murray Martin

William Murray Martin was born on his father's ranch, 14 miles northeast of Lusk, on November 25, 1912, and grew up to manhood's estate in this vicinity. About four years ago the family moved to Lusk where they have since resided.

Last August, his father, Walter Martin, sold a bunch of horses to C. R. Follette, and eastern buyer, who arranged to take "Bill" along to help wrangle the horses. They left Lusk August 6th and have spent most of the time since then in West Virginia, Virginia and Tennessee. It was while conducting a sale on September 9th that the lad was kicked by a horse and suffered an abrasion on the right leg. He took little notice of the injury, and had he been in Wyoming very likely nothing would have come of it; but he was far from his accustomed environment. In that southern clime, infection soon set in. He was rushed to the hospital Thursday afternoon and everything that medical skill and trained nurses could do for him, was done. But lock-jaw and traumatic pneumonia developed. After a brave fight for life, he gave up the unequal struggle Saturday morning at 6:30 o'clock.

However, by means of the telephone and the telegraph, the family was kept in constant touch with the case and made aware of the approach of death. The brief sojourn of life for him numbers but 18 years, 9 months and 24 days.

Young, strong and courageous, he met the great change that must come to all of us. No word of ours can add to or detract from the record he has made. We leave him in the hands of his All-wise infinite and Eternal Savior.

"Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and for some men, they follow after. Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid." I Tim., 5:24, 25.

There remains to mourn his untimely departure, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Martin and one sister, Miss Grace Martin other relatives and a host of friends.

The bereft family has the heart-felt sympathy of the entire community. We would commend them to God of all comfort, who knoweth how to comfort them.

Funeral services were held from the First Baptist church at 2:30 p.m., on Thursday, September 24th, 1931, under the direction of George Earl Peet, Rev. B. F. Farrar, pastor of the Baptist church preaching the sermon from the text found at 11 Samuel 12:23. Interment was made in the Lusk cemetery.

Lusk Herald
September 30, 1971

40 Years Ago Sept. 24, 1931

Billie Martin, 19-year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Martin of Lusk, died at Bristol, Tenn., Saturday of pneumonia and lockjaw, caused by being kicked by a horse at the ranch of C. R. Follette, a horse buyer for whom he was working.

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