![\"David](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/david-and-may.jpg\")
David and May Neal settled in the Teton Valley in 1908. David, left, was murdered in 1911. | Courtesy Dan Neal<\/p>\nIn his new book, author Dan Neal shares the story of his grandfather\u2019s 1911 murder in eastern Idaho. Watch our interview with Neal in the video above. | Courtesy Dan Neal<\/p>\n
IDAHO FALLS \u2013 For Dan Neal, the knowledge of his grandfather\u2019s murder has been part of his life for as long as he can remember. But until recently, he didn\u2019t know all of the details.<\/p>\n
Decades of research culminated in the release of his new book last month, telling that story. The 73-year-old Wyoming man is the author of \u201cNo Forgiveness.\u201d<\/p>\n
In an interview with EastIdahoNews.com, Neal says the timing of his grandfather\u2019s death was particularly devastating to his family. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhen my grandfather was killed, he \u2026 had five children under eight years old, so you can imagine how devastating this would be,\u201d Neal says. \u201cMy father was 15 months old at the time. I\u2019ve always wondered how my father\u2019s life would\u2019ve been different had my grandfather lived.\u201d<\/p>\n
Neal\u2019s grandfather, David, was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He descended from a polygamous family and was among the LDS pioneers who helped settle the Teton Valley.<\/p>\n
They moved to Darby, a community not far from the Wyoming state line, around 1908. David taught school in the area and also had a farm.<\/p>\n
David and May Neal settled in the Teton Valley in 1908. David, left, was murdered in 1911. | Courtesy Dan Neal<\/p>\n
Neal says it was a feud between his grandfather and his neighbor, Ellington Smith, that became the catalyst for the murder that would occur three years later.<\/p>\n
The feud stemmed from a dispute about water usage on Sorenson Creek.<\/p>\n
\u201cSmith had a farm a couple miles north (of my grandfather\u2019s). He moved to his place after my grandparents were established,\u201d Neal explains. \u201cWhen (Smith) moved in, he understood that this little stream that ran through the property came through the Neal property first through their barnyard.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to Neal, Smith believed David intentionally polluted the water while caring for his animals. He cited several instances when Smith accused his grandfather of damaging the water supply. <\/p>\n
On the morning of July 5, 1911, David left his house to irrigate the field. Smith mounted his bay horse with a Winchester rifle in hand and rode the short distance to where David was working. When Smith arrived, he got off the horse, climbed over the fence, and stepped into the field.<\/p>\n
During his research for the book, Neal found court transcripts from Smith\u2019s trial outlining what happened. It\u2019s based on the testimony of Smith\u2019s nephew, who witnessed the murder.<\/p>\n
Smith reportedly watched David working in the field for a bit because he thought David was going to shoot a coyote.<\/p>\n
\u201cSmith accosted (David) with an expletive and said, \u2018Whose water are you stealing now?\u2019 David said, \u2018I take no man\u2019s water but my own.\u2019 Smith then brought the rifle down and shot him,\u201d Neal says.<\/p>\n
Though Neal believes the shot killed his grandfather instantly, he says Smith walked within 15 feet of David and shot him again before getting on his horse and riding away.<\/p>\n
Smith was arrested that afternoon and taken to jail in St. Anthony. About six months later, he was convicted following a five-day trial. Neal says a plea of insanity saved Smith from the gallows.<\/p>\n
![\"Ellington](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/smith-mug.jpg\")
Ellington Smith\u2019s mugshot provided by Dan Neal <\/p>\n
During the trial, authorities discovered Smith had taken several blows to the head throughout his life. <\/p>\n
\u201cI can speculate that something was going on there. He was clearly disturbed,\u201d Neal says. \u201cMy grandfather believed he was crazy and tried to avoid him.\u201d<\/p>\n
Smith spent the rest of his life in the old Idaho Penitentiary in Boise. He died in 1918.<\/p>\n
In the book, Neal highlights the appeals process and how the case unfolded after Smith\u2019s conviction. It also details conditions at the penitentiary. <\/p>\n
Neal worked with Susan Foster, Smith\u2019s great-granddaughter, on research for the book. Neal says she knew nothing about the murder, but had family stories about his burial in Teton Valley. She was unavailable for comment.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a thrill for Neal to shed light on a case that he says was likely buried and never spoken of again among family members or residents of Teton Valley.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s great history and I think people in southeastern Idaho will really enjoy \u2026 seeing the story unwind in places they\u2019re familiar with,\u201d says Neal.<\/p>\n
Neal will be at Walrus & Carpenter Books in downtown Pocatello on Aug. 4 for a book signing. He will be at Winnie & Mo\u2019s Bookshop in Idaho Falls on Aug. 5.<\/p>\n
![\"David](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/david-neal-headstone.jpg\")
David Neal\u2019s headstone in Teton Valley. | Courtesy Dan Neal <\/p>\n