The Particulars of the Killing of a Mexican
source date: 1888
availability: public-domain

The Particulars of the Killing of a MexicanLast week the Enterprise briefly told of a killing by Pete Spence, of this county, over in Arizona. The Clifton Clarion gives the follow- ing particulars: At Henry Longmore’s saloon at Morenci, about 2 o’clock, June 20th, a shoot- ing affair occurred between a Mexican named Martinez and Pete Spence, in which the former met his death and the latter was wounded. The following account, which is hastily gathered from Spence and other Americans present, is, of course, only one side of the question. At the hours above named, all were in the saloon, Martinez accompanied by seven or eight of his friends, when Spence, hoping to bring an old dispute to an amicable settlement, invited all hands up to take a drink. They all moved to the bar, Spence stepping around the corner to a position partly behind the counter. Martinez, however, refused to drink, and just as Spence set down his glass the Mexican pulled his gun and pointed it direct at Spence’s head. The latter was quick enough to grab Martinez’s hand and draw his own pistol. Both fired nearly at the same time, the bullet from Mar- tinez’s gun striking Spence a glancing blow on the forehead, while the former received his death wound in the neighborhood of the right nipple. Both fell to the floor together, Spence stunned and temporarily unconscious.

l. Both fired nearly at the same time, the bullet from Mar- tinez’s gun striking Spence a glancing blow on the forehead, while the former received his death wound in the neighborhood of the right nipple. Both fell to the floor together, Spence stunned and temporarily unconscious. While thus prostrate the balance of the Mexicans made a savage attack upon him, some firing shot after shot at him to the number of eight or ten, while others rushed out and pelted him with rocks.