The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1911-06-23
BEN BADGER
BADLY HURT
BY D01s0N
SPEARFIsH CONTRACTOR is
STRUCK OVER HEAD WITH
SHOVEL YESTERDAY
ASSA|LANT IS uNOER ARREST
Alteration Over Triiiing Amount of
Money Led To More SerinuS
Complications.
AssA|lAN1 IS UNDER ARREST

Deadwood, S. D., June 81, 1911.
Benjamin Badger is in critical
condition with fractured skull at
his home in Spearfish with slight
chances for recovery as result of
an alteration yesterday morning
about 8 O'Clock with Benjamin Dot
son, of the same place
According to the story of Dotson
who is confined in the county jail
10 await the outcome or Badgers
injuries the two men engaged in
dispute in front OF the Matthews
building and when Badger stopped
TO pick up rock with the intention
90 hitting Dotson, the former who
was standing with shovel in his
hand. raised tie shovel and struck
Badger over the fore part of the
head. The blow was not of suffi-
Client force to knock the victim down
and little was thought of the matter
antil yesterday afternoon when
Badger became Ill and was removed
to his home. His condition gradual
.y grew worse.
DR.. Houtz of Spearfish was call
eai. After an examination the at
tending physician found the skull
fractured and an operation as last
resort to save Badgers life was
agreed upon. DR.. Rathburn, of
Belle Fourche, was summoned and
last night with the assistance of DR..
Eoutz three inches of the
skull was removed. Badger stood
dhe operation nicely and this morn
ang was resting easy. DR.. Rathburn
stated that in case no complications
set in the injured man may live.
1t is generally believed by all ac-
uuainted with the facts of the case
and the condition of Badger that
the victim would die. The fact that
the blood from the grain took all
outward course instead of flowing
that Badger is living this morning.
Badger is a man of strong build
and strong constitution both of
which are favorable to his chances
for recovery. Badger is married
and has a family. He is engaged in
contracting in Spearfish and he and
Dettson together accepted contracts
on several occasions. Badger and
Dotson did some contracting recent
2y and the latter claimed Badger
was indebted to him in the sum of
$l.25. Dotson approached Badger
yesterday morning while the latter
was doing some work in front of
the Matthews building and asked
for the money. A few words fol-
lowed and Badger is said to have
thrown the coins on the ground at
Dotson's feet. The alteration then
grew warmer and the blow with the
shovel is said to have been struck
shortly afterwards. Dotson was
hauling same dirt for the town when
the quarrel started and drove up
with his team in front of the Matt
hews building prior to opening the
argument which ended in the as
ssult.
Sheriff Noouan in company with
States Attorney Hebron and Steno-
grapher James Hebron went to
Spearfish early this morning in the
.Sasse automobile and placed Dot
son under arrest at his home. He
was then lodged in the county Jail
Dotson talked freely of the oc,
curence during the drive from Spear
fish to Deadwood and. appeared
down hearted ard remorseful. He
submitted to arrest without resist
ance. The prisoner is said to en-
Joy a good reputation in Spearfisf
and has many friends. Badger i!
said to be of quick temper am
on several occasions is reported tt
have had trouble with other resi-
dents of Spearfish.
James Hebron, stenographer, tool
a statement from Badger early thi
morning. The victims story wa!
not made public. The result of tn
fight has created considerable ex
element in Spearfish and through
out the county. This morning tn
telephone company received numer
GUS calls inquiring of the condition
of Badger.
of adger.