This cache was placed for the BTK 7 event June 2018. The cache is placed near the Angus cemetery, due to conflicts with another cache it could not be placed near the gravesite of Martin Nelson.
The “ghost story” of Bonito City had its roots in 1885.In a nutshell, it was a robbery that went sour that led to a horrific mass murder at the local hotel.
Martin Nelson was like many young men who dreamed about getting rich overnight.He claimed to be a miner, but no one recalls him actually working. Some said that he’d been in Bonito City for four years.Others claimed he’d drifted into town the night of the murders.Soon after Martin Nelson came to town, robberies were reported.No one was sure who was responsible, and the thefts were generally small.
After the murders Nelson’s body was thrown into a rough pine box, face down, and buried with his body pointing to the west.Some said that this was so he’d never rest.Others said that it prevented him from haunting the town. Others said he was buried face down so that he would go to HELL faster.There was no headstone, instead a sandstone marker was placed in the middle of the gravesite with the word: MURDERER.Later it was replaced with a small headstone bearing his name: Matt Nelson
(The idea that he’d never rest is more likely.In that era, bodies were usually buried facing up, and pointing toward the east so they could rise and join Christ at the Second Coming.)
According to a local resident the grave is no longer marked, with the headstone probably plowed under when the road was graded.Approximate coordinates of grave of Matt Nelson:N33 26. 701 W105 39.928.His victims are buried in a mass grave 2 rows away from their murderer.