The weekly tribune and the Cape County herald. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1914-1918, 1915-07-16
ALBERT BLEDEL'S
THROAT ISCUT
DURING A FIGHT
Lail Whitman Held for Fatally
WOunding Prominent
kelsO Man.
SHERIFF AND TWO
AIDS SUBDUE HIM
Wounded Man Brought to st.
Francis Hospital and Life
Is Despaired of.

Albert Bledel, a prominent young
ban of Kelso, while engaged in a con-
troversy Saturday afternoon with Lail
Whitman, another well-known resident
of that city, received knife wound in
his throat, which will perhaps result
fatally.
Witnesses to the occurrence state
that Bledel mad spent the day in the
country helping thresh wheat, and
when he came to town later in the
afternoon, he went to the restaurant
of his brother, Louis Bledel, where he
procured a bucket in which to buy
some beer
As he walked out the door of the
restaurant, Whitman is said to have
kicked the bucket from his grasp, and
when he picked it up, Whitman repeat
ed the offence. Bledel demonstrated
with him and warned him not to con-
tinue the practice, after which Will
man again kicked the bucket and a
second later lunged at Bledel with an
open knife. Bledel avoided the thrust
and knocked Whitman down, but as he
fell he seized Bledel by the legs and
dragged him down also. William still
retained his knife and as Bledel fell
across him, he thrust the knife deep
into his neck and twisted the blade
around, forming deep, Jagged wound
and severing one of the large blood
vessels.
Bledel struggled to his feet, bleed
ing so profusely that he was soon
helplessly weak from loss of blood.
DIR. Henry Rodenmayer was called in
at once, and when he discovered that
an artery had been severed he held the
end closed until DR.. Mayfield could
come from limo three miles away to
assis: him in tying up the severed
blood vessel. When DR.. Mayfield ar
rived the injuries were given tempo
rary treatment and the victim was
placed in an automobile and hurried
to st. Francis Hospitl in this city.
Upon his arrival here with Dr. Ro-
denmayer, a local surgeon was called
who assisted in making the necessary
corrections, and there has been but lit
tie noticeable change in the condition
of the patient since he was brought to
the hospital.
Sheriff William Ellis of Benton was
called to the scene of the tragedy and
Whitman was placed under arrest and
placed in Jail at Benton. He risisted
arrest and it, required the combined
efforts of the Sheriff Marshal Louis
Calliatt and two other citizens to sub
due him and place him in custody.
Both young men are well known and
have always stood we'll in the COM
munity.
Blede1 is the son of John Bledel, a
wealthy retired farmer, who with his
family, moved to Kellso several years
ago.
Whitman is the son of John Whitman,
a concrete contractor, who with his
son, has for the past two years lived
with DR.. RoGenmayer. and assisted
with the work about the premises
whe mot negaged on concrete work.
Yesterday afternoon, Bledel became
restless, and symptoms of infection
had developed in his wound. His tenn
perature rose to an alarming height.
At late hour last night his fever
had abated and he showed a slight i'm
provement in his condition.
DR.. Rodenmayer returned to Kelso
Saturday night, but comes to the city
daily to visit the patient.