Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-08-01
STABBED SEVEN TIxEs.
An useie Fatally veusds Its sephew 10
self Defence.
tNew York World

New York World
Three miles south Of the woodsburg
station, on q road leading to Hampstead
Bay, L. l., is cluster Of small houses.
The residents are almost race distinct
in themselves and pure types Of Long
Island baymen. One Of the neatest OF
the houses is owned by Edward Gard-
ner, who has long since passed his
three-score and ten years. Joshua
Gardner, his son, and John Lawrence
Bedell, his grandson, and his family
are the other inmates Of the cottage.
Bedell's family really manage the
house, and Gardner, Sr., and his son
board with them. Domestic broils are
not unusual.
Wednesday Bedell called on Smith
Carman, a brother-bayman, and col
lected s2 due his uncle, Joshua Gard
ner. A few hours later Gardner called
himself, and when informed that his
nephew had collected the money said It
was all right, and returned home. 1t
was late in the day when Bedell reeled
up to the house, much the worse for
liquor.
His wife, who was on the stoop, said
to him "John, give Uncle Jonathan
the 81 you got from Smith Carman. He
wants to 90 to town."
With an oath he sprang at her and
forced her back on the stoop. Gardner
sprang to his feet and rebuked Bedell
for striking his wife. His wife gained
her feet and hurried into the house,
while her husband and Gardner con-
tinued their war Of words. Finally
Bedell stopped down and, reaching a
heavy piece Of plank, turned upon his
uncle and exclaimed:
"l'll fix your hash for you this
time" He was about to carry his
threat into execution when Gardner
rushed into the house and seized a
double-barrelled gun. He had hardly
got it in his hand before he was dis
armed by Mrs. Bedell, and she hurried
upstairs with the gun. Her husband
rushed past Gardncf and reached the
upper floor about Il same time hi,
wife did. He grabbed the gun. and re
turning down stairs cooked it, and, lev
elling It at Gardner's head, pulled th'
trigger. The powder did not ignite
As he was about to club the gun Gard
ner rushed upon lam with an oper
clasp-knife. A terrible struggle en-
sued, during which Gardner plunge,
the knife seven times into his nephew
left side. One of the thrusts puncture'
the lung.
When Bedell. weakened by the los
of blood. released his hold on his uncle
he fell back on the floor. while his un
Gle ran out Of the house. Mrs. Bcdel
called him back, and kneeling besid
the body Of her husband, cried:
My God! Uncle Jonathan, you'y
killed him :"
At this Bedel' opened his eyes, and
with desperate attempt TO raise him
self, said:
No. he has not killed me. II
live just long enough TO kill him."
lie was carried upstairs and place
in bed, while Gardner hurried for
physician. DR.. Fredel, of Lawrence
was found, who, after examining tn
wounds, said that there was no hope 0
the injured mans recovery.
Yesterday afternoon arep0rter yislte
the scene Of the trouble. Bedell wa
in his bed and his wife seated besid
him holding his hand. As the reportC
entered the room Bedell in a whispC
and with difficulty said
"Uncle Jonathan, I'm dying, but
forgive you. 1t was my own fault"
The authorities have taken no actio
whatever in the matter. The corone
has not taken Bedelps ante morte,
statement. neither has Gardner been al
rested, but at the suggestion Of the rt
porter gave himself up last evening
Gardner is forty-fve years Of age, an
has the name of being a quiet, molten
sive man, while his nephew (BedelD
but twenty-eight years old and has fig
ured in several fights and has been al
rested twice for threatening to shoe
William Gardner, his cousin, and Wa
ter Hitchcock, his uncle.