Mariposa Democrat., 1858-01-28
Desperate Anray-rhree Men killed.


affray took place in the town of Smelling, the
county seat of Mcrced county, that has ever
happened within our knowledge. About noon,
on the above named day, three men, Stevens,
Barley, and Wilcox, went to Smelling, and
proceeding to the neighborhood Of tie Court
house, made fast their horses, and entered the
Sheriff's office, where the Sheriff and two 9TH
er persons were seated. They had with them
two double -barrelled shot-guns, which they
laid aside, and sat down. Shortly after they
were seated. Chas. +. Bludwortb, late sheriff
of Merced, entered the Office, and spoke to
Stevens, his remarks having reference to a
threat said to have been made by Stevens
against his life, when firing commenced be-
tween the parties, which resulted in the al
and Wilcox retreated to the door, where they
met DIR. j. W. Goodin and Benz W. White,
when a number Of shots were fired, Goodin
and Bartley being mortally wounded. Will
cox made his escape. Bludworth and White
were uninjured, and Immediately gave them
selves into the custody of the sheriff, and on
examination before Justice Webster, were each
held to bail in the sum of two thousand dollars
Stevens and Barley died almost immedi-
ately DR.. Goodn lived about four hours. On
examination of the bodies, it was found that
BARLEY had received seven wounds, Goodin
four, and Stevens three. 1t is said that about
forty shots were fired during the melee, and
that only about three minutes elapsed between
the first and last shots.
BARLEY and Stevens were buried on Sunday
evening. DIR. Goodin was buried on Monday,
his funeral being attended by large number
of the Masonic fraternity, Of which he was
member, and many personal friends.
The following particulars of the immediate
cause Of the affair we take from an account
furnished US by a friend who was present at
the trial on Monday last: For some time past,
and particularly since the recent lamcntabe
affair in the town Of Smelling, in Merced coun-
ty, resulting in the death of VIM. Smelling, by
VIM. Edwards, there has been a bitter en-
nifty existing between the friends Of both par
ties. Prominent among Snelling's friends, also
a family connection, is Chas +. Bludworth,
above spoken Of whose life has been several
times threatened by the friends Of Edwards,
among whom were Stevens, Barley, and Will
cox. Bludworth was warned of his danger,
and prudcntly avoided a rencontre until last
Saturday, when, hearing those men had come
to town, armed, and reiterating their threats
against him, and finding meeting inevitable,
proceeded to the Courthouse, where the affray
took place, as above stated
On a further examination before Justice
Webster on Monday, Bludworth and White
were discharged.
Strange as it may appear, among people
surrounded by civilzing influences by which
We should be taught better things, the origin
of the difficulty which has thus far resulted in
the death of four men, and the bereavement
Of two families of their protectors, was caused
by disagreement over a trifing game of
chance in which the stake was twenty-five
cents. Some time ago, two men, West and
Edwards, were playing "crack loo." A dis
pute arose, and scufiie took place between
the parties; during the scuffie, some of the
bystanders interfered, and were accused of
foul play. Defiant and aggravatng words
passed, and the bitter feelings then cngend-
cred have been exhibited whenever the parties
have met Previous to the last encounter,
weapons have been several times drawn, and
threats were made, but it was hoped that the
difficulty had blown over, until the two recent
afIrays showed the contrary to be the fact.