Arizona weekly citizen., 1895-05-04
THE CRETTENDEN SHOOTING
The Contest over a Pasture Field
 Leads to Bloodshed.
A Thirty Minutes Fist Fight Results in Piitol and Slung-
 shot Combat.

The CITIZEN is in receipt of letter from Hon. R. R. Richardson, of Critten den, giving the following particulars c the trouble at that place between Messrs Sprecher and Burnett.
 The trouble he writes in substance, grows almost wholly out of the Psrkes cattle killing case which hung before the district court here for about 3 years and then resulted in the acquittal of the defendent.
 The land over which the trouble has arisen was formerly owned by Dan | Lyons, an ex soldier and an old citizen of Crittenden, but for the past several years a resident of Mexico. On leaving Crittenden he entrusted the land in question to w. H. Barnett who for the past 6 or years has had about 80 acres under fence for hay growing and pastu rage purposes. Bat iu 1892 he neglected to pay the taxes thereon and the pro- perty, by virtue of tax deed, passed to the ownership of the territory. The latter sold 1t to a MT. Drew and it was by him deeded to MT. Sprecher. Barnett unconcious of the change of proprietorshlp, was residing near Elgin, l5 or IS miles distant. When advised oi the change be went to Crittenden, drove Sprechers stock out of the field and fastened the gates. Sprecher then had h Barnett arrested and an effort was made No have the case heard at Nogales, but Barnett made appics tion and was granted change of venue to Tubac. The case was dismissed and Sprecher again entered into possession of the property.
 Barnett then had Sprecher arrested and the case was heard in Tucson and again dismissed. The former was de tained in Tucson for some time on &C., count of sick child, and in the mean time Sprecher continued in possession of the property.
 On Monday last Barnett again took charge and turned the Sprecher stock out of the field. This brought their owner to the front snd fight occurred, across the wire fence. Barnett on the inside of the ropes and Sprecher on the outside. Barnett claims that Sprecher struck him with 8 rock and then start ed to run. Barnett at once assumed the aggressive and began pursuit, but un fortunately for him he became entangled ir the barbs of the wire fence and in this position was thumped by Sprecher, but finally he extricated him. self and a twenty or thirty minutes fight began. There was neither bottle holder nor referee. and the combat end ed only when their wind gave out. But Barnett held the field and went into camp.
 On the morning following Sprechel cut the wire and was putting in gate to which Barnett objected and tn, trouble began.
 "Sprecher advanced on him drawing slung shot, with which he beat Barn ett badly. Barnett drew pistol ana fired twice. One shot hit Sprecher or the rihs and I guess hes not hurt hirt much. Dr. Chenoweth is here anG thinks the ball bounced back. Barnet has been quite highty this forenoon. bu is now feeling better; the doctor thinkl his skull is not fractured. II the fight on the 2Sth Barnett had re- volver in his pocket but dId not offer tc draw it, knowing he was Sprecher'l equal in a fair fight.
 "Sprecher has gone to Nogales cn th' | train"