Podcast
Park Predators
The host, Delia D'Ambra, said the book sparked her obsession with William McMullen's case and was repeatedly cited for historical details throughout the episode. She highlighted how the book provided specific context about the early residency of the basin, the circumstances of the shooting, and alleged illegal trapping in the park.
Episode: The Accidents
The host said the book sparked their obsession with William McMullen's case and was repeatedly cited for historical details throughout the episode.
I became obsessed with his case after reading a book by author John Dobie called The Itasca Story.
According to John Dobie's book, historians consider William the first permanent resident of the basin because technically he was the only person living in the area when Itasca Park was officially established as a state park in 1891.
According to John Dobie's book, he admitted to being careless with his gun and for shooting so suddenly in William's direction, but he was adamant that he never intended to harm his friend.
According to John Dobie's book, shortly after William was killed, several of his friends overheard Nelson talking about the incident, and not in a mournful way. Nelson was reported to have stated, quote, I plugged him. It was a center shot. End quote.
According to John Dobie's book, at some point between 1909 and 1913, while Martin was working as the park's commissioner, he was suspected of owning illegal animal traps and placing them in the park.