Mattie M. Hilton, 47, grocery store clerk, attempted to rescue Carl J. Clements, 57, grocer, from a homicidal attack, Quanah, Texas, October 1, 1957. Clements and Mrs. Hilton were left alone in a grocery store after three others fled when a demented man entered brandishing a knife and a gun, with which he fired at one of the fleeing persons. Clements attempted to reason with the man, who stabbed him with the knife without provocation. Clements fell to the floor. As the man bent over Clements, stabbing him again and again, Mrs. Hilton picked up a metal grocery basket, ran to the man, and struck him across the side of his face with it. The man stabbed Mrs. Hilton in the chest and, ignoring her as she fell to the floor, turned again to Clements and continued stabbing him. Mrs. Hilton got to her feet and ran from the store, bleeding profusely. Her screams attracted a man from his home nearby. Obtaining a loaded pistol from the house, the neighbor ran into the store, where the demented man still was bending over Clements and stabbing him. The neighbor struck the man forcibly over the head with the butt end of the pistol. The assailant dropped his gun and ran from the store. He was captured by police and later committed to a mental institution. Clements and Mrs. Hilton were removed to a hospital, where Clements was pronounced dead from nineteen stab wounds. Mrs. Hilton was weak from loss of blood and suffered severe shock. She required surgery and was hospitalized for three weeks. Her arm was totally paralyzed for some time before responding to treatment.
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