Mexico weekly ledger., 1892-06-30
Bedell Dangerously Hurt.
TARLTON LAUGHLIN CUTS HIS
HEAD IN THREE PLACES AND
Is AT ONCE ARRESTED.
The Deed Done With a Rock rs Large
as a Mans Fist His Recovery
Very DOubtful-Pete Accused
OF S%landering a Lady.

Pete Bedell was very seriously
hurt last Monday by Tarlton Laugh
lin hitting him in the head with q
rock. No n saw the beginning OF
the fight. Squire Tomlinson, who
was sitting on the City Hall steps,
heard the first stroke and turned
around in time to see Bedell fall.
Laughlin then jumped on him and
was beating him on the head with a
rock when Tomlinson ran up and
grabbed Laughlin's arms just as he
was dealing a blow that would no
doubt have been fatal to Bedell. A
large crowd had already gathered
and medical aid was at once sum-
moned, Laughlin being locked up.
Bedell's wounds were at once dress
ed and it was found that his skull
was fractured on the top of his head.
There are two. wounds that may be
very serious, both of which are at
least an inch and a half wide and
cut clear to the skull. Bedell was
knocked completely ~senseless and
has not yet recovered full control of
his mind. 1t is not thought that
his life is in danger, but considering
his age some fear is apprehended.
The cause of the trouble arose
from Bedell making some derogatory
remarks on the street several days
ago concerning Laughlin's sister.
Laughlin, when interviewed, said:
81 can tell it all mighty quick, just
as quick as it was DONE" Laughlin
had been attending to the horses and
stock of Andy Harrison for thespast
three or four years and says he
is very seldom up town. Bedell
sued Laughlin's sisters, as Laughlin
claims, for money that they never
owed him, and the reason of Laugh-
Inns appearance ~ town was be-
cause he was summoned in this case.
The following are Laughlin's words
and his history of the trouble; 81
was walking by the City Hall when
l met Bedell and l said: what was
that you said about my sisters?'
when Bedell said You're a d
liar and reached back to his hip
pocket when l grabbed a rock that
lay by the fence and knocked him
down. l hit him three times, if I'm
not mistaken. l was then locked
up. Now you've got my story"
He then inquired. if Bedell was
badly hurt and if his skull was
broken and what they had done
with him. He said ne had heard
\ Bedell was a chad man. and if he
had come from home for the purpose
of fighting him he would have been
armed, but nothing of the kind was
so, for when he accosted Bedell it
was not his intention to fight, but he
was not going to allow Bedell to get
the drop on him when he reached be-
hind him, thinking that Bedell was
after his gun. We have not heard
Pete1s end of the story yet on account
of his condition. He was taken home
as soon as it vas safe to move him.
A later report says Bedell has come
perfectly to himself. Doctor Cave
says it is impossible to tell whether
he will recover " not.
W. understand that Mr.. BedeI
denies having made any remarks
derogatory to Miss Laughlin's char
acter and we are also informed that
Mr.. Laughlin stepped up behind
him and attacked him before he
knew it and that as a matter of fac
he does not know just who struck
him. Bond has not been fixed fol
Mr.. Laughlin, as Prosecuting At
torney Jesse is waiting to find Out
lust how serious Mr.. Bedell's in.
iuries are.