The copper era and Morenci leader., 1916-09-08

A near riot on Chase Creek Tues
day evening about six o'clock be-
tween Americans and Mexicans re-
suited in the death of Aniceto Mar
tinez, one of the participants, and
the slight injuring of others engag-
ed in the melee.
AS reported by eye witnesses the
trouble started when a well known
Mexican entered into a conversation
with one or two Americans concern
ing politics in general. and while the
Mexican was speaking in loud voice
a good sized crowd gathered. An
American in the crowd becoming
tired of the harangue approached the
speaker and told him that it was about
time he desisted, when the Mexican
gave him curt answer. The Ameri-
can, Austin Morris, taking offense at
the answer knocked the Mexican
down three times, and the latter af-
ter the last fall arose and attempted
to fight back. This sarted the riot
and it is reported that all hands
Joined in the protection of their coun-
trymen.
Lantz, in front of whose place Of
business the trouble started, was a
spectator and during the disturbance
was grabbed from behind by Mar
tinez, who held him pinioned by the
arms Lantz, fearing for his life
as well as that others might be seri-
ously injured, pulled .S2 calibre
automatic and attempted to shoot
his assailant. He was apparently un-
able to use the gun freely as the
Mexican was shot four times, the
first shot hitting him in the right
ankle and breaking it. One of the
shots went through the left side and
one through the left leg. By this
time the man released his grip on
Lantz and the fourth shot went
through his neck, causing instant
death.
Lantz was slightly hurt in the
right hand during the engagement
but was otherwise uninjured. He
was placed under arrest and the
coroner's inquest was held in the
office of Justice McWilliams yester-
day morning, at which time the jury
brought i'll verdict to the effect
that Martinez had met his death at
the hands of one w. H. Lantz. At
ter the jury was dismissed Lantz was
ordered into court and upon the
Recommendation of County Attorney
Wall was released on his own recog-
niZance to appear in court when noti-
fed by the Sheriff.
Friday morning at eleven O'Clock
a warrant was sworn out in Judge
McWillians' court for Jack LantZ,
by a step SOD of the dead man. His
bonds were placed at $4,000, which he
had failed to raise up to the time Ot
going to press.
The testimony at the coroner's in.
quest was exhaustive and several wit
nesses were examined, among wh1m
were Eb Morris, A. H. Morris, w.
G.. isl, s. l.. G1lliland, w. T. Low
ett, Jose Padilla, Julio Miranda
Charles = I, E. R. Apoaaca, R. j.
Dupagan, 3ohn Bradberry, -. h. Nc
Culloch, Thomas Farrell Cu:-iero.
The testimony of most of the wit
nesses oslLcides and in nearly every
particular the facts are substantial
ed OWN g to the length Of the tcs
timony and lack of space the testi
fnony Of only one or two witnesses
is given, these being in detail the SUP
stance of all.
w. T. Lovett, being called as :
witness, and having first been duly
sworn according to law, testified as
follows:
@ Now, Mr.. Lovett, did you see
this shooting? A. 1 saw part of it
yes, sir.
Mr.. Wall: State to the jury wha
you did see and hear and all yo'
heard and saw A Well, saw Mr.
Lantz tangled up in the affair.
was across the street. 1 saw mai
strike at him, or strike him, and pret
ty soon he grabbed Mr.. Lantz aroun(
the neck and 1 started across the
street. 1 got about half way, guess
and 1 heard the first shot. Ther'
was or 4 shots fired. 1 went on VI
and the man fell on the sidewalk.
The Coroner: Q. You seen hin
while he was doing the shooting? A
Well, was looking at Mr.. Lantz.
Q. Could you state what position
he was in? A. Well, he was in
tangled up position with this man. !
seemed nike the man had MIN so
didn't have free access when he wa
trying to break his hold-when tn
shot was fired-and the man held o
to him until the last shot was fire
and he turned loose and fell an
Mr.. Lantz walked in the house.
@. Do you> know which one, MI
Lantz-whether the deceased-did b
jump on Mr.. Lantz, or did Mr.. Liant
jump on him-do you know which
was? A. l could not say.
O. You say he was tangled U
with him? A. 1 couldn't say whic
made the first move, but 1 saw tn
man make a lick and Mr.. Liant
made a lick also and then the
iclinched.
A member of the Jury: @. d
you see any trouble there before TIL
man and Mr.. Lantz had trouble? A
Yes, sir; 1 saw the trouble.
O. Who was that between? . A.
was between Mr.. Norris and
Mr. Wall: Q. Mr.. Austin Morris