The Clifton clarion., 1888-06-20
A DEAD MEXICAN
Pete Spence Again Figures fin
 a Shooting Match,
xspd Kills a Man Named Martinez Eat Morenci Thi.; Morning-Pete
 Has . Marvellous Escape From Death.

morning, a shooting affray oc
 cured between a Mexican named
 Martinez and Pete Spence. il
 which the former met his deatf
 and the latter was wounded.
 The following account, which l:
 hastily gathered from Spence and
 other Americans present, is, oi
 course, only one side of the ques
 ton. The other, or Mexicans' in
 depreciation of the affray, we are
 unable to give, as in the limited
 time at our disposal we could find
 not one in Clifton who was pres
 ent.
 It would appear from our infor-
 nation that for some time past
 there has been i'll feeling between
 the Mexicans and whites, the
 former of which are largely ID the
 majority and in the habit of inn
 posing more or less on the latter. The origin of the present trouble dates back to a few days ago, when Martinez got into an alter cation with Wm. Harrison, a car penter and monte dealer well known in Clifton. Martinez drew a pistol upon Harrison, who was unarmed, but Spence, who was standing by, compelled the Mexi- can to drop his weapon. For this Martinez "hnd it in" for Spence, and threatened to do him up," and last night, it is alleged, fol- lowed him around from place to place, and seemed endeavoring to invite quarrel, which Spence at- tempted to avoid. This morning, at the hour above named, all were in the saloon. Martinez accompan- jed by seven or eight of his friends, when Spence, hoping to bring the matter to an amicable settlement, invited all hands up to take a drink. They all moved to the bar, Sperce stepping around the corner to a position partly be- hind the counter. Martinez, how ever, refused to drink, and inst as Spence set down his glass the Mexican pulled his gun and point ed 1t directly at Spence's head. The latter was quick enough to grab Martinez's hand and draw his own pistol. Both fired nearly at the same instant, the bullet from Martinez's gun striking Spence glancing blow on the forehead, while the former re- ceived his death wound iu neigh borhood of the righ. nipple. Both fell to the floor together, Spence stunned and temporarily uncon- scious. While thus prostrate the balance of the Mexicans made a savage attack upon him, some firing shot after shot at him to the number of eight or ten, while oth- CTS rushed out and pelted him with rocks. One man, who is re- ported to be nephew of the dead man, is said to have emptied his pistol. Miraculous to relate, how ever, Spence escaped with slight flesh wounds, one in each hand. Coming to himself Pete found that his pistol had been shot out of his hand, and in some manner, of which he has no distinct recollec- tion, he managed to escape from the furious Mexicans and made his way with all possible speed toward Clifton. While between Morenci and Longfellow be was overtaken by Ed. Molloy, who had been an unarmed spectator of the affray, and who accompanied the wounded and dazed man to Clifton, where they arrived about 4 o'clock this morning. Spence immedi- ately surrendered himself to Jus tice Sias.
 Shortly after his arrival. and while Tn the custody of Deputy Sheriff Hovey and Constable Smith, a posse of six Mexicans ar rived, armed with WInchesters. Not knowing their errand, and fearing that forcible attempt was to be made to take Spence away, the officers compelled the Mexi- cans to throw up their hands, when it was learned that they were in possession of an order from Justice Cast to deliver the prisoner to nim at Morenci. This Mir. Hovey very properly refused to do. as it is safe to say that had he done so Pete would never have arrived at his destination.
 Considerable excitement is re- ported to exist at Morenci over the affair, and 1t is said that after the shooting and escape of Spence an