The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-03-12
DEATH FROM A BULLET
Fatal Quarrel Between Farmers Ia the
Famed Cajon
Bleed to Death-Looks Like q
Case Of Jealousy

San Bernardino, March Thames p.
Medlin was shot in the left arm by Will
lam Taber at Cajon last evening, death
resulting from the wound at about 2
O'Clock this morning. 1t seems that Taber
and Medlin were good friends and lived
on adjoining farms. Old man Medlin was
residing alone, young Taber being mar
ried. Medlin invited Taber and his wife
and one or two other neighbors to Sun
day dinner and all gathered at Medlin's
house pursuant to the invitation. Taber's
wife cooked the dinner, and after the
noon meal the men-Medlin, Taber and
Tom Holt-went to Frenchman's not
far away and drank wine together. On
the return from the trip quarrel arose
between Taber and Medlin, about what no
one seems to know. Taber became great
ly excited and ran on ahead of the others.
Soon after Tom Holt saw him returning
with double barreled shotgun, and fear
ing trouble, ran on to intercept him.
When he came up Taber drew his gun
and ordered Holt not to interfere in the
quarrel. He was glad to let Taber pass
him, which he did, and coming up with
Medlin fred both barrels of the weapon,
cutting off the fore part of the left arm.
After the shooting Medlin said: TIA
Der, l won't let anyone know you shot me
for the sake of your wife"
Holt fastened away for help, leaving
Medlin alone, as Taber and his wife left
at once.
Before any one reached the wounded
man again he had crawled three hundred
yards into the brush, bleeding copiously
all the time. Some blankets were thrown
under him, and he lay out on the ground
all night, dying as stated at about
O'Clock in the morning OF hemorrhage.
Holt came to town this morning, Civ
ing the officers the first information of the
tragedy. The Coroner and Deputy Sheriffs
and Constables at once visited the scene
Of the killing, but too late to apprehend
the murderer.
1t is now learned that Taber came to
town last night or early this morning.
His usual haunts were searched. but in
vain. Taber is armed with knife, and
those who know him best say he is des.
perate enough to kill any man who under
takes to arrest him. Several officers are
on his trail, but have little hopes of over
taking him.
Amelio Garcia was tonight convicted of
the murder Of Chicken Jim at Cotton on
the night Of October 80 1895: The Jury
was out but a few minutes and took one
ballot. They made no recommendation
for mercy and on Monday at 10 O'Clock
Amelio Garcia will be sentenced to be
hanged. The crime for which he has been
convicted was one Of the most cold
blooded murders in the annals Of the
state. His victim was an inoffensive old
French.nan, who kept chicken ranch
near Cotton. In company with Juan
Ferra, who subsequently made full con-
fesson and was me prosecutions prin-
cipal witness, Garcia went to the old
mans cabin ostensibly to buy some eggs.
1t was just at sunset and, as the old man
came out to go to the chicken house, Gar
cha assaulted him with knife, demand
ing 500. Frerchman said he had but
$3.50, which he would give, but. enraged
at this refusal, Garcia stabbed him with
the knife again and again, infiicting a
throat, any one of which would be fatal.
The judge instructed the jury in regard
to recommending life Imprisonment, but
they made no such inference in the yer.
dict and sealed the murderer's doom.