If you haven't read our two prior chapters, it may be helpful to do so or you may confuse yourself more than me! Part One was entered On Jan. 9, 2021 and Part Two on Jan. 20, 2021. Most of our 600 historical blogs are submitted on just one page, but this "Unofficial Investigation" may take four entries, and next week, we will bring in a team of "Paranormal Experts" to see if they can find what we still seek-Answers. We left off last time showing that 126 years ago, 16 year old Louis Price was murdered with his own revolver, while it was thought he was cinching up a nearby pack mule. Louis was sent up Nephi Canyon to provide provisions to the families sheep herder. A local Justice of the Peace-Timothy Irons and the "acting" Coroner held two separate inquest's and determined that one Nels Jacobson, a local drifter, who lived in a hut near Salt Creek, was not guilty of murder, as back then, it was determined he "proved his innocence." Local law enforcement turned back to research their first suspect-Ike Cartwright, who was the family sheep herd foremen and lead officials back to where the murdered body of Louis Price was found. But first, a little background on Ike, who emigrated to America from England, in 1886. Arriving in Nephi, court records find that in 1887 he was charged with disturbing the peace. The justice found him guilty and sentenced him to pay five dollars and five days in jail. At the time, the Utah Territorial Jail in Nephi also served as the Juab County Jail. This wasn't an isolated incident, as the local newspapers showed he earned "the generally unsavory reputation" of being a "rough character...handy with a gun". In the early 1890's, Cartwright married Mary Jane Bridgewater, and been married a year when young Louis was murdered. As previously noted, Cartwright had been released from the charge of murder for what the Salt Lake Tribune called an "insufficiency of evidence". According to the Tribune, they went on to print "Mrs. Cartwright always believed her husband to be guilty". In her mind, Ike had been charged, tried and convicted. Price family tradition also points to Cartwright. Longtime Nephi resident, "Merron Price, remembers his father, Joseph, telling him Ike was responsible for Louis' death. The murdered boy's younger sister-Geneva Allred Tolley, claimed that Cartwright unintentionally revealed incriminating evidence to his wife as he talked in his sleep". If one is to look at all circumstances, it may be easy to understand why Mr. and Mrs. Cartwright suffered during their "Mis-marriage". It was also reported he was physically and abusing his wife and family. Cartwright's grandson, Stanley Cartwright Wilson, described his grandfather as "a cruel man known for his temper, outbursts of anger, and assaults on his family...even the animals he owned were afraid of him." In 1910, the law took against Cartwright for abusing his wife. In Sept. of that year, neighbors complained to authorities about the horrific actions of Nephi's meanest man. One morning, the surly husband expressed dissatisfaction with the pancakes Mrs. Cartwright fixed for breakfast. He became so incensed that he threw the mixing bowl at her, hitting the battered woman with such force that a doctor had to be summoned to attend to her. Mrs. Cartwright was too apprehensive to file a complaint, but after Mayor Whitmore heard of the incident, he directed an officer to investigate. The law man found cause for a complaint, and the judge found Cartwright guilty, sentencing him to 100 days in the Juab County Jail. After 34 days of jail, Cartwright applied for a pardon to return to his farming so he could support his wife and growing family. Ironically, one of his kids was named "Louis"! The mayor, justice of the peace, city attorney and two members of the city council met to consider Cartwrights application. According to the Juab County Times, Cartwright appeared before this acting board of pardons, "acknowledged his error, and promised to be better in the future, if were given a chance." Mayor Whitmore lectured Ike on the seriousness of his crime, and the board released him from jail. Cartwright exerted more control over his physical violence, but the emotional abuse continued during the next dozen years. He repeatedly threated to kill his wife. The deranged husband exhibited a knack for threats and violence, but was he capable of murder? Well, hang on to your hat. This part of history has been difficult to put down in a written format, as various and unprovoked thoughts come through this writers mind; people talk, and family papers fall from my desk dating back a hundred years, so it can not end today, so stay tuned. No, there are no cheap ads here nor do you need pay a fee. Use a computer at the Nephi Library, as it has various records there for all to see, and within ten days, the end will be....at least the end for me. As noted, the murder of a good young kid so long ago, still hits the heart of many family kin that remain in Nephi, and I try my best to protect the guilty and the innocence of whoever or where er they may be. End of Part Three.
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