Card game turned violent on Yosemite Avenue

For The Madera Tribune

This old-time Madera saloon was the scene of a bloody stabbing between two card partners in 1901.

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The donnybrook broke out on Saturday night, Dec. 1, 1901, when four men sat down to play a game of Pedro. Robert Tuggle and Sam Monahan were playing against Jim Robertson, the bartender, and his partner, Frank Littlefield.

The contest was going along in a friendly manner until Monahan misplayed his hand and lost the game, which upset Tuggle who could not resist expressing his disappointment to Monahan.

The other players at the table thought Tuggle’s remarks were nothing but a friendly reproof, but Monahan, who had had a number of drinks, viewed the situation differently. He told Tuggle in no uncertain terms that his condescension was not appreciated. Tuggle shrugged his shoulders and went to get a drink with Monahan following close behind.