The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-11-18
A BOWIE-XHFE TOURNAMENT.
Terrible Duel Between Gamblers In the Indian
Territery--Both the Cembatants Killed
FREQ Fight Between Their Com
rades--A Fearful Scene
LOWELL. Kansas. Nov. Il, 1870,

LOWENLr huilSud Nuv. lI, IStu
Dr. v. @. Lawrence OF vacuna Colorado, re-
Gently Of Philadelphia, has just arrived here and
furnished me the following details Of one Of those
bloody tragedies enacted nowhere else than on tho
BORDERS
on Tuesday election day. Joe ana Charley Bigger
fprotners,, Gus Norton and Tom Jackson. who had
been driving herd Of cattle into Missouri, passed
through here on their return home. In Northern
Texas. The men were all young. well mounted and
armed ana each possessed OF considerable money,
the proceeds OF the sale OF their cattle. They
stopped some two hours In this plaOo and had @
long conversation with them. On Wednesday after
noon they camped on tho banks OF small stream
In the Indian Territory about forty miles from here
and, after stalking out their horses while cooking
their supper. sat down to q game OF cards.
They had hardly commenced thetr game when
Orcstes Watrous known as Cook-eyed Watt, The
Allison and Dick Bradford noted New Orleans
gamblers, rode into the camp. These gamblers
we're on q professional tour from Fort Scott. ana
were bound for Buxton Springs and Kansas city.
The new corners we're gladly welcomed and invited
to camp with the herdors which invitation was
quickly accepted.
The sun being some two hours high 1t was sug-
cested that there plenty OF time 10 have socia
bile game or two OF poker before supper. and accord
ingiy Watrous, Bradford. Joe Bigger and Jackson
took a hand. At flrst Bigger and jackson won. but
luck soon turned, and Watrous and Bradford were
In lair way OF cleaning out the others, when
Bigger detected Watrous cheating row
at once ensued blows were interchanged
and weapons drawn by both parties, when
1t was proposed. In order 70 secure fair
play, that Bigger and Watr0uS should fight IL out
on horseback. their weapons being bowie knives
This was NJ once agreed 70. and the men prepared
coats s ana shirts, and their knives were bound to
their right hands Ihey were then placed sixty
yards apart with orders TO ride at each other fun
speed, passing the le { side. Both were splendid
fery pony Little over fourteen hands high, while
At The word Ego" the CONTESTANTS spurred
towards each other ike the wind. but passed with
out INJECTING any injury second ana third
slight cut on the hank On the fourth round Bigger,
ne passed Watr0us. threw himself on lhe on slde
person. and drove hts knife deep INTO the
neck OF his adversary's st.ed. Watrous, dlvin.
Ing the s,cF wneeed s naat sl0w
bigger's pony. but succeeded only in INJECTING =
severe wouno. Thls style OF lighting was then
become infuriated at the sight OF blood. As they
neared each other the nth time Bigger suddenly
same moment cutting fearful cash In his thiga;
but before no could got away WatrOus succeeded In
driving his knife into Blgger's shoulder. The COM
OF blood, when various determined, II possible, 10
end the combat by riding down his adversary, winch
he thought the superior weight OF his horse would
enable nam to do. Accordingly, on tho sixth round,
he made directly upon Bgger's pony, and Bigger. IN
attempting TO avoid the collision: Sas severely cut
IN the arm and face. The pony. borrower, was game.
and, although very lame, sezsd the roam by the
cheek, decorating 1t In fearful manner.
At the seventh encounter the horses came
together with fearful shock, tho pony being
thrown, falling upon his rider, but both immediately
regatned themselves. VARIOUS horse was last
bleeding to death from the stab In the neck, and
WatrOuS himself could scarce Keep Ills seat rom the
wound In the thigh. Bigger succeeded In again
sticking VARIOUS In the thigh, and was struck In re-
turn In the slde. several blows we're interchanged
and evaded or fell only upon the herses.
The fight had now lasted more than half an hOur,
when DIR. Lawrence rode up in time TO witness the
final round. As they came together WatrOus en-
deavOred to rise In his strrups and to throw MIN.
encounter, aud both fell. Bigger was streaming
with gore from the cuts in the face back and arms
but able to extricate himself, and rushed upon
Watrous who could not rise account OF the wOuDdn
In his thigh. Bigger threw himself upon WaIous
with the fury OF u mend. ana almost IN mOnens
hoart, aud Bradford seeing the late OF his friend,
raised his pistol fired, and Bigger fall dead across
the corpse OF Watrous ensued Charley Bigger Nor
ton Atff .kns - hing upon Bradford and Allison.
Bradford was Killed in the melee and Charley Big.
ger and Jackson severely wounded. The wounded
were taken TO cabin about half mile from the
battle field, and their wounds dressed by DIR. Law
renee, who pron0unces them In fair way OF re-
c0very. ,t s- t -rr
This is one Of the most remarkable fights that has
ever occurred, even among the lawless adventurers
OF the border. II sounds like romance, but the
source OF my Information will not admit Of q doubt
OF its truth. ty + rfs rst.t9 ...a