The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-01-18
Whisky Crazed Mexican, Out
for Trouble, Finds 1t.
Thirteen Bullet Holes i'm Body
When Officers Arrive.
THREE. WOUNDED, TWO DYING
Time Keeper Shoots Crazy Man
Seven Times.
Harper Doctors Believe Pedro
Ariaz Will Recover.

Harper, Kan, Jan. 1s.-An out
break here in the camp of sixty
Mexicans who are at work for the
santa F'e railroad at this point result
ed in the shooting of three workmen,
two of whom probably will die.
The trouble started last night when
strange Mexican from Alva, Ok.
came to the camp for visit with his
countrymen. Reports. are that he has
always had bad reputation among
his people and his bad character
mixed with a quantity of bad whisky,
furnished by accomm odating bootleg
gers, started all the trouble. The
Mexican, whose name is Pedro Ariaz,
and a few of his friends spent the
night drinking and next morning were
in bad humor.
Next morning Timekeeper Levi Lut-
trell, who occupies a commissary car
adjoining those occupied by the MeXi-
can workmen, heard several shots
fired in a nearby bunk car. He imme-
diately started out to investigate and
upon leaving his car saw a laborer fall
from door of a car a short distance
away. Blood was streaming from the
mans head. He was able to run
around a car out of sight. On the
ground near the car was another
Mexican shot through the body.
AS Luttrel1 approached the car the
Oklahoma Mexican jumped to the
ground. The timekeeper asked what
man drew revolver and started for
him. LuttreIl was armed with an
automatic revolver. He ran around
the end of the bunk car and at the
same time drew his weapon.
Duel Between White and Mexican.
The Mexican was evidently out for
trouble. AS he ducked under the
bunk car he fired one shot at Luttrell.
The shot went over the timekeepers
head. Luttrell opened fire at the ap-
preaching man, shooting seven times
in rapid succession. Every shot, it
was afterwards found, took effect in
the Mexican's body, one bullet strik
ing him in the head.
As soon as the Mexican fell to the
ground, Simon Marez. the laborer who
was shot in the head by the bad man,
rushed upon him with a knife and but
for timely interference by Luttrell and
other Mexicans would have cut the
throat of the man who shot him.
Thirteen Bullet Holes in Mexican.
City authorities were Immediately
notified of the shooting and Drs. c.
w. Winbigler and A. H. Fraser We're
on the ground in a few minutes. Elk
aminationS showed that the Mexican
who caused the trouble was in seri-
Gus condition. Thirteen bullet holes
were found on his body and head but
strange to say physicians believe he
stands a chance to recover. Simon
Marez had only a slight scalp wound.
1t is believed that Merican Yanez, the
Mexican shot in the body will die, the
bullet fired by the whisky crazed man
evidently having penetrated his stom-
ach and intestines
Levi Luttrell, the young timekeeper.
whose GOODNESS and courage doubtless
saved the lives of a number of Next
cans, has been completely exonerated
for his part in the shooting and no
charges will be brought against him.
This is the second shooting affair
within two years among Mexicans
working for the railroads at this city.