Charles Ensign Martin
Born: November 1, 1862 son of Stephen Martin and Roxy Rachael Miller
Died: May 31, 1960
Married: Harriet Whitman known as Hattie Whitman the evening of Dec 25, 1885
Children: 9 children (according to the censuses) Katherine H. Martin Loomis, Bessie F. Martin, Allen Martin, Eula G. Martin Arnes Raffi, Charles Bayard Martin, Lloyd W. Martin, Carrie E. Martin Blair, Wesley Henry Martin and Harold Martin
Charles Martin was a guide and log driver.
Malone Palladium, November 8, 1900
Killed a Moose—In Self-Defense.
CHARLES MARTIN, a guide, brought to Saranac Lake on Thursday last a bull moose which he had shot a day or two before on Big Owl Mountain, five or six miles distant. In the vicinity of "Long Lake West," a lumber camp, where he had gone with half a dozen others to hunt deer, MARTIN separated from his companions, according to the story told to the Herald-Dispatch by a party of Uticans, who were in the locality at the time, "and had not gone far, when he saw, a short distance from him, a bull moose, cow moose and a calf. The three animals were grazing. Evidently the big moose and the hunter saw each other at the same time, for before the hunter had a chance to raise his gun to his shoulder, the moose, bellowing, started for him. The man ran a short distance, fixed his firearm, turned around and-shot." The animal was hit, but continued his charge, so the story runs, until brought down by a second ball, which pierced his heart. Even then six more shots were required to finish him. The weight of the moose is variously stated at 800 to 1,200 pounds.
The reported manner of the killing rather taxes credulity, but the theory of self-defense on the part of the guide is probably necessary as an anchor to windward, in case of a possible prosecution for violation of the law, which prohibits the hunting or shooting of moose in this State.
The animal had probably escaped from one of the private parks in the Adirondacks, for no wild moose had been seen hitherto in Northern New York outside of a park, for many years.
[...]
Adirondack Daily Enterprise, November 1, 1948
Charles Martin, 86, Describes Early Life As Adirondack Guide
"I'm the oldest man who travels these streets who was born in this section," claims Charles Ensign Martin of 27 Jenkins street, 86 years old today, "of course, there are others residing here who are actually older."
Mr. Martin was born Nov. 1, 1862 at Stoney Creek pond in a house located near the present site of the Corey's golf links. His parents were Mary Miller and Stephen Martin.
"All my family were guides," Mr. Martin said in describing his own life as a guide through this area. "In the spring I used to drive logs down the river — did it for years. In the winter I lumbered in the woods."
Mr. Martin describes Bartletts Carry and Fish Creek in old logging days, when they were jammed full of logs: "We sent 'em down the Saranac river — drove 'em to Plattsburg when the ice went out."
Saranac Lake, in Mr. Martin's boyhood, was "a town of 12 houses." Although he moved here and watched the little city grow, Mr. Martin never lost his knowledge and love of the woods and spent his life guiding parties through the surrounding forests.
He was married 63 years ago on Christmas night to Hattie Whitman of West Harrietstown. Mrs. Martin passed away three years ago.
Mr. and Mrs. Martin had six children. Lloyd, the eldest son, died at the age of 53. The others, all living, include Wesley, Harold, Eula and Katherine, all living out of town, and Carrie, who keeps house here for her father.
Adirondack Enterprise, Tuesday, May 31, 1960
Former Guide Dies in General Hospital
Charles Martin died at 8:40 a.m today in Saranac Lake General Hospital where he had been admitted as a patient yesterday.
Mr. Martin was born November 1, 1862 in Corey's, the son of Stephen and Roxie Miller Martin. He was a guide and for several years was on the local police force. He was a member of the Odd-fellows.
He is survived by three daughters. Mrs. Carolyn Blair of Saranac Lake, Mrs. Catherine Loomis, of Springfield, Mass., and Mrs. Eula Raffi of New York City. He also is survived by two sons, Harold who lives in Arizona and Wesley of Saranac Lake. He had ten grandchildren, eighteen great grandchildrn and two great, great grandchildren.
Mr. Martin is reposing at the Fortune Funeral Home. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time.
