The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1917-01-12
DR.. WARDLE VICTIM
OF SERIOUS ASSAULT
STABBED AND SLASHED BY FORM
Err EMPLOYE
Victim Former Wcll-known Veterinar
ian of This Place; Assaiiant a
Youth Of Nineteen

DR., J. II. Wardle, formerly and for
number of years veterinarian in Clio,
where he has many friends and is still
a property holder, was the victim OF
murderous attack last Friday afternoon,
the story OF which is told in the follow
ing article taken from Mt. Clemens
paper Of even date:
ANGRY FARM HAND SrABs DIR. WARpLE
"Dr. Joseph Wardle, veterinarian at
the Inglesde Farms on South Gratiot
avenue is at the Washington Sanitar-
ium today suffering from stab wounds
that may prove fatal, and his assallant,
George Crews, is occupying cell at
the county Jail, awaiting the outcome
of the injuries.
'The cutting occurred at about $3.50
Friday afternoon, following dispute
regarding salary due Crews, who for
the past month has been employed at
the creamery as general farm hand.
He came here from Detroit and is ~
years old.
1t appears that DR.. Wardie had dis
charged Crews earlier in the day, and
the later insisted that he be paid his
salary. The veterinarian told him that
Saturday was pay day. but Crews de-
clared he would have his money at once.
He went to the sheriff and police short
iy after IL o'clock and asked if there
was any way in which he might force
an immediate settlement. and when
told that he doubtless would have to
wait, he returned to the farm.
Other employees at the farm say
Crews was flourishing knife as he
went through the barn, evidently hunt
ing for Wardle. and an effort was made
to warn the doctor, so it is said. Crews
located his man, and again demanded
his money, and was again told that he
could not have it until Saturday. 1t
was then that he slashed his victim
with an ordinary pocket knife, the
blade of which is exceptionally long
and keen-edged.
practically every artery, ligament,
and muscle of the left arm, half way
between the elbow and wrist, were sew
cred, and long cash was cut across
Wardle's back, just at the base of the
spine. 1t was necessary for the sur
eeons to take ten stitches to close this
one wound. A third cut is located just
below the right shoulder blade, and ap
pears to be at least two inches deep.
when other employees heard the
veterinarian cry for help, they rushed
to his assistance, to find Crews leaving
the building. The doctor was rushed
to the Sanitarium, and Crews went di-
rect to the sherifr's office. giving him
self up. He wouldn't pay me, and he
started the fight Crews told sheriff s
deputies. Then cut him. Hurry and
call the hospital, and find if he's badly
hurt. Crews appeared to be much
excited, and deeply interested as to the
condition of his victim.
"At noon today it was sand that War
dies chances for recovery are good, un-
less blood poisoning should develop.
However, according to the attending
surgeons, should he live, he will never
have the use of his left arm, where the
most serious injuries were inflicted.
DR.. Wardle Is a son-in-law of Mr..
and Mrs. Fred Tinker, and left Clio
about three years ago to become super
intendent of 'Ingseside Farm" a large
Carrying establishment near Mt. Glenn
ems, owned by the Detroit Creamery
Co. On receiving Intelligence Of the
assault upon the doctor, Mrs. Tinker at
once left for his home in order to rem
der any needful assistance and to be
with her daughter. On Thursday Mr..
Tinker received aletter from his wife
In which it was stated that the doctor
was able to sit up in bed at the hospital
and that, barring the development of
4. infection in his wounds, the surgeons
were confident of his recovery, but
were doubtful il he would ever regain
the use of his injured arm, and that If
he did 40, many months, at best. would
be required in the process. Mrs. Tin
ker also stated that the officials of the
creamery company were doing every
thing in their power for DR.. Wardle
and were taking all necessary steps to
see that his assailant is adequately pun