The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1872-03-08
BLoOMsBURG. PA, FRIDAY, MARCH s. 1872.
COL. DEM. -. VOL. XXXVI.. NO. 8,

a run up the middle of the street. In
that direction, the greatest excitement
prevailed men running about wildly,
as though an earthquake had suddenly
shaken loose half the logs in town.
1t was between one of the johnson
brothers and Cap that the unfortunate
affair had happened in 40, resulting in
the death Of the former Both parties
had their friends; the sore was an old
one that had never been properly treat
ed, and it was impossible that, once
commenced, the fight would be con-
fined to the principals. Provided with
pistOls-an article considered one of the
necessaries of life in those days-I was
hurryiug toward the door, when Dawn
rushed in and begged me to stay-not
to stain my hands with human blood.
But when / told her the Johnsons were
hunting Cap, that there were three
brothers, and / must help him, she re-
leased me at once
Before had taken a dozen steps,
single shot rang out clear, followed in
stantly by a second; slight pause,
and then half a dozen in quick success.
sion. The din of voices and tramping
feet of the turbulent crowd, spiced now
and then with the sharp crack of re
volver, reused the whole population,
and brought them to the scene of the
fray. Big Jack and Pretty Andy, run.
ming out of Macs and across the street,
were followed by one of the Johnsons,
who staggered out, balanced himself a
moment, like drunken man, and fell
forward upon his face, the arms stretch
ed beyond his head, with fingers drawn
apart, clutching the earth. Only shots
and yell5 within. A moments lull,
and there is Il rush for the doors. The
crowd swarms into the street, and scat
ters. The last to seek the open air are
two formidable looking men the eld-
est oC the JohnsOns, tall, powerful and
finished in limb, followed closely by
Cap. Kentuck and the other Johnsons
are missing. a shot from the veran-
dah of the Grizzly House opposite,
opens the contest anew,
There is Cap-a madman-lollowing
his opponent with the activity of a wild
cat, and the determination of a grizzly.
Outside conbatants, on both sides, have
emptied their revolvers, and now pause
to watch with breathless interest the
result of horrible contest, when sud
pl,,. hi 70 rf
distended eyes move swiftly past beard
ed heads to the centre, between the
combatants; and just as Cap has felled
his adversary and springs upon him
with bare arms and bright blade lifted
in air, two arms encircle his waist, and
an agonized voice breaks clear above
hoarse curse beneath, in two words of
eloquent entreaty, "Stop, father!'
Too late. The slight figure is thrown
back, the iron arm goes down, and the
savage blade brushes the quivering vi
tails of the last of the Johnsons.
Cap stood erect. with no sign of rec
ognition in the marble face; but, mo.
ment later, he said:
Take her away; quick |"
caught the slender form, and hur-
ried toward home.
"Shot?" asked one eyed Jimmy.
"No."
"Cut?" from Dublin.
"No."
"Only tainted !" warned mother; and
w hi ln Eln fA
Dawn, l started out to learn to result of
the fight.
Two of the JohnsOns were found it the
street, and one in Macs against the bar
all dead. kentuck lay partly under the
billiard table with large hole in his
forehead. Big Jack was wounded in the
right shoulder, Judge Boyd in the heel ;
Unlucky Dan, whose ruling passion was
Rondo, had just arrived in town, with
quite large sum in dust. He was lett
handed, and never played unless he
rolled for himself. He was among the
lookers-on at the fight, when stray
bullet cut his left thumb entirely away
Holding up the bloody stump, he cried
out, "LOok er thar, thar'S luck for yer !;
jist got in town, an amt bet nary red
yit!'
That night, while his favorite game
was in full blast, at TeX's, Dan was the
5addest witness. Old Simpson truthful
~ remarked it was "the kindest killin'
that hez 'curred round yer sence 'j3,
when the Dodsons cum agin' the Beas.
ley boys"
The combat ended, men went to their
usual occupations with many comments,
but little evidence of excitement; and
| now that the coast was clear, Sheriff
Smith arrived and arrested Cap.
AT the examination, the same after.
noon--for justice was swift, in those
days-the following testimony was elicit
ed:
That given by Jerry Parker, who had
heard the words Of both parties in front
of Macs was most important. Among
the miners the whisper of slander
| against pure woman'5 name was held
to b. justification for homicide; and
that alone, without the personal abuse
heaped upon Cap. would have insured
| discharge.
1t was also ascertained that only two
| Of the brothers had fallen by Caps hand.
The other had been seen exchanging
shots with Kentuck, just before he stag.
gered out Of the saloon, and it was
thought the two men died at nearly the
same moment. A red shirted miner
carrying thoughtful countenance
observed that "p'raps them two who
draw'd each others souls one minute
shuck hands the next on the road tC
| h-.o
Jerry Parker testified that Cap, Will,
coming up to the express office, haC
been insulted repeatedly by the John
sons, who we've stationed at the differ
ent saloons, waiting his arrival that ht
| turnp1 nftpr hn had nagSaJ q nd ,1ya l. 4,