1896 Murder Site Of 2 Ranch Hands Was Near Twin Falls ID

One of the oldest known violent crimes to take place in southern Idaho happened over 130 years ago, and a few miles north of Castleford on a cold winter day in February.

It was February 4, 1896, when a pair of friends and ranch hands were reportedly ambushed, shot dead at close range, and left to die alongside some dirty laundry.

A third sheep herder discovered his two mates deceased when he arrived at the camp to meet them shortly after the killings. The case went onto become known as 'The Deep Creek Murders.'

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The 'Deep Creek Murders' Of 1896 West Of Twin Falls ID Was Reportedly A Hired Hit

Deep Creek remains a mostly undeveloped region of the Magic Valley that can be accessed off of East 2500 North Road, just before it intersects with North 1000 East Road. The two dead men had both been shot just hours before they were discovered by the third ranch hand who passed by the scene on horseback, according to details shared by the Arts & Entertainment network.

READ MORE: South Idaho Police Still Seek Answers In 2008 Rupert Murder

The murdered men were identified as Daniel Cummings and John Wilson, and it's believed the executions were carried out by a hired gun who was contacted by the owner of an area cattle business, according to an AI overview of the matter.

The area where the murders took place is less than 30 miles west of Twin Falls.

Do you have any knowledge of the murders of Daniel Cummings and John Wilson that might have been passed down generations from another source?