New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-07-27
A DUEL A L.OCTRANCE.
from the New York World, July o. ]


hunters during the colder months, whel
the Buffalo and antelope, unable to exc on
an existence in more northern latltudes
are forced TO seek the more succulent pas
turage and genial airs OF tine south, can a
last boast of a sensation the equal Q
which old settlers IN the neighbOrhood say
they never beLeld III this wild and lawles
region. There have been many most afro
cious murders committed all along through
out this section Of country, and outrage:
without number, aud all without eliciting
more than few passing comments; but q
duel q FotiiGUse, such as was fought in the
soft twilight of yesterday evening between
two notorious frontier characters was ar
exceptions novelty hitherto unhesrd Of
and in consequence produced tremendous
amount OF excitement among those who
witnessed it. 1t was horrible affair
throughout, both men being literally shot
and hacked to pieces, and finally dying
locked in each others embrace. Before
however. entering into the details of the
fight itseH venture slight description OF
the lodge and the Immediate locale and
causes Of the duel.
Medicine Lodge is in the very heart Of
the Indian nation, about hundred miles
south Of the Kansas frontier, and, on &C
count of its peculiar natural advantages as
a uniting rendezvous, is annually the resort
OF large number Of both whites and In
dams. Directly on the main line of travel
pursued by the buffalo in his migrations
from south to north and vice versa, from
being originally a simple trading station,
with the Indians it has risen to the dignity
of q settlement, though the houses, with the
exception of two rather gOOd-sized build
ings, used for storage purposes, are but five
in number, and Of the most unimpOsing di-
mensiOns.
In the centre Of tho settlement stands
hugh log cabin, occupied by Job Harding,
Kentuckian of enormous strength and
stature, who, in addition to his pursuits as
hunter and trapper, adds to his income by
keeping a small stock of goods, which he
exchanges with the Indians for pelts and
hides, and sells to such parties as happen to
run short of supplies.
This cabin is divided into four compart.
ments, two Of which the trader reserves
for his own use, and two serving as store
and bar room.
The latter, in view of the character of
the customers Of the place, is, of course,
extensively patronized, being usually
crowded with motley class Of Indians,
hunters and half-breeds to whom strong
drink from sheer force Of indulgence has
become necessity. and gaming the inevi-
table occupation Of their leisure hours. A
mOdiOus, extends nearly the whole length
Of the room, around which, in lieu Of chairs,
are placed rows Of empty kegs and cracker
boxes for the accommodation of such as
may feel an inclination to play.
1t thus happened that the game, which is
usually conducted by Harding in person,
rarely closes, the press of players filling a
seat as soon as vacated, and the bank
keeping open as long as there is reason
able promise Of profit.
Midway down one of the long sides of the
table rests an old-fashiOned armchair, re-
served exclusively for the use Of the dealer,
who also was within easy reach Of supply
OF liquors, which he serves out in person to
customers as they order it,
A large earthen oyer, filed with water. of
about twelve gallons capacity, to which is
attached tin cup, is fastened to the side
of an immense fireplace at one end of the
room, in which huge pile of cottonwood
logs stand ready for firing in case the
weather or culinary necessities require it.
To these several appointments of the room
add collection of firearms of various
kinds, deposited at random in corners or
within easy reach of their owners, and the
reader will have slight idea of the ap-
pearance OF the stage upon which the first
act of the tragedy was played.
1t was terribly warm. The usual cool
breeze from the south that bowed the prai-
TIC grasses and tempered the fierce rays of
the sun, bringing on its wings the perfume
Of wild flowers and the warblings Of happy
birds. seemed to have forgotten it's accus-
toned Journey, though the afternoon was
far spent and the sun was close to the
horizon. The few hunters and Indians
obliged to be out of doors moved about
with listless steps, not seeming to notice
the unusual number of butfaloes that dot
ted the prairie on all sides. The oxen and
horses belonging at the lodge, jaded and
worn out as their appearance indicated
them to be, refused to eat, but stood with
dropping heads and lolling tongues, and
eyes piteOus in their expression OF suffering.
Within the house the keenest only of the
gamesters were to be found at the table,
and the dice this time ratified from the
hands of another dealer, Harding's assist
ant, small, wiry-looking man, with thin
lips and gray eyes, SO bright anu piercing
that they seemed to penetrate ones very
thoughts.
had caught passing glimpse of this
man day or two before on bis arrival with
a party from Kansas. and though l did not
then see his face there was a something in
his carriage and gait that struck me as
being very familiar. The impression made
IN my mind at the time was that we had
very disagreeable circumstances, bur where
u when the utmost efforts of memory could
lot determine. Not noticing him depart
with the rest OF his party, who had pushed
N to the south the next morning, sup
posed he had made an earlier start, and so
,anished him from my mind.
But now, as he sat at the faro table with
he whole Of his expressive face in full
7iew. and l heard the hard, crisp tones of
lis voice as he now and then addressed
word to one or the other of the players, his
IDENTIFY came to me like a flash of light
ling, and | recalled the hour when three
ears before, in a Newton dance house, l
vas a locker on and saw the silver mounted
'istOl now peeping out at his breast send
eath into the bosOms of three human be-
ngs. This was Anderson, the Texas des-
erado. the horse thief, the celebrated
stol shot, the red handed murderer. in
tinctively recoiled as our eyes met and he
ashed a look of recognition on me- In
he account | had written of the dance
ouse tragedy l had held him up to public |
xecratiOn as wretch well deserving of |
he halter. and had even advised the forma-
ion OF a vigilance committee to infiict on
i'm summary vengeance. | had no reason,
therefore,, to expect his friendship, but, on |
ne contrary the full revenge Of which | |
new he was capable. He kept his seat. |
owever. and Harding at that moment en-
,ring, quietly withdrew and fastened to |
ne house in which the party to which was |
ttached had taken up its quarters, with a
1t W to arming myself.
AS passed along wing of the building
voice hailed me by name from an up
airs window. Looking up, the figure of a
IAN appeared for an instant and with a
spid motion of the hand, as if inviting me
ascend, suddenly disappeared Though
OF at the time recognizing the person who
JUS hailed me, was not long left in doubt,
II OF mounting the stairs 1 encountered
le burly form of an old Newtonian, who
!. once grasped me warmly by the hand
Id expressed tho greatest pleasure at our
eefinV