Rapides gazette. (Alexandria, La.) 1869-187?, 1873-08-16
A Fight TO the Death-Sanguinary
Hand. to. Hand Conflict.

World gives On account of one of the most
ferocions duels ever fought. Ii occurred
on the evening of July A, in the Indian
TERRITORY. at Medicine Lodge, point
which js a GREAT resort for hunters during
the colder months. The parties engaged
in this desperate fight were Hugh Ander-
son of Texas and Arthur McCluskey Of
Kansas, both desperadoes well known on
the frontier for their recklessness OF life.
Anderson had killed a brother of McClus-
kew i'm dance house fracas, and the latter
sought him out for the express purpose of
taking vengeance upon him. A Texan
guide named Richards acted as second for
McCluskey, a huge Kentuckian of the
name of Harding fulfilling a similar office
for Anderson.
THE AGREEMENT.
By the terms agreed upon between
Richards and Harding the antagonists
were to fight with revolvers and bowie
knives-to be placed back to back at an
interval of twenty paces-tO wheel ard
fire at a given signal, and after the first in
terchange of shots 70 conduct the fight as
each one should deem it best to his advan-
tage. The spot selected for the encounter
was in the open prairie. The grass had
been closely cropped by the cattle, leav-
Ing the turf firm, yet elastic, and just the
thing for rough-and-tumble business.
The men left long after sunset in the pres
ence of crowd Of hunters, trappers,
railroad surveyors, gamblers and Indians.
The combatants were duly placed. and the
crowd awaited with breathless interest the
result.
The giving of the signal had fallen by
lot to Harding. Stating to the principals.
who by this time began to show signs OF
m hot a. he. 1aa nrt
of a pistol, he drew his own weapon and
discharged it, first asking the question
and receiving the usual answer that both
were ready.
THE FIGHT.
McCluskey was the first to fire, wheel
ing as he did so, though the smoke had
scarcely curled up from his pistol before
the report of Anderson's weapon fol-
lowed. A momentary pause ensued, each
of the antagonists closely scanning the
other to note the effect of the shot. Across
Anderson's cheek a deep furrow, from
which the blood slowly began to trickle
down, told the work of his antagonist.
while McCluskey remained standing in
his original posture, to all appearances
unframed. But this was not the fact.
Those nearest to him fancied they saw
sudden spasm, as of pain pass through
his frame, and his face certainly blanched
to deathlike pallor, but just where the
ball had taken effect they could not tell.
At the second fire McClaskey again an
ticipated his opponent, and taking more
deliberate aim succeeded in breaking his
left arm. Anderson uttered sharp cry
and sank on one knee, but, quickly recov-
ering himself, returned the fire, and this
time with horrible effect. The ball, pas
sing through McCluskey's mouth carried
with 1t several of the clenched teeth and
portion Of the tongue. finally lodging
in the base of the skull. McCluskey stag.
gered forward wildly few steps, and
made desperate efforts to steady himself
The blood poured in torrents from the
wound, and stained his hunting-shirt and
dripped from the muZzle of his pistol !:
but with heroic courage he continued TO
advance, splitting out mOuthfuls of blood
and teeth at every step.
During the interval thus gained Ander-
son, who in his crippled state had every
reason to shun a hand-to-hand encounter,
had not been idle, but fired another we'll
aimed shot which broke McCluskey's left
shoulder. AS if this was not enough, he
sent still another ball after him, which,
striking him in the pit of the stomach,
caused him to fall forward heavily
on his. face. McCluskey was now
MORALLY wounded and momentarily
growing weaker from loss of blood. Tear
ing open his shirt in his agony, a crimson
spot in his left side indicated the place
where Anderson's first shot had taken
effect. He still, however, retained his
grasp of his pistol, and by an effort super
human in It's GOODNESS and elaboration,
fired at his antagonist his third shot. The
latter had been closely watching for this,
and endeavored to save himself by sud-
denly dropping on the ground. Too late,
however. McCluskey's finger was al
ready on the trigger and his eye along the
sights, and when his adversary's body
reached the earth it was heavier by
Colts pistol ball. A scream of pain fol-
lowed, and the spectators saw the figure
of man clutching wildly with his hands
at the grass and writhing and twisting in
horrible contortions. The bullet had
struck him full in the abdomen, and like
his antagonist, Anderson was now fast
dying man.
At this juncture it seemed as if the
crowd would interfere, but Harding
sternly babe them keep back and leave |
the men to settle the matter their own
way. AS none cared to dispute with the |
gigantic hunter, the mandate was obeyed,
though universal expression of horror
ran through the spectators. Soll, h0rrl- |
BILE as was the scene, no one thought of
leaving the spot. An irresistible fascina-
ton to see it out bound one and all alike |
to the blood-stained locality. But the
finale was ut hand-the curtain almost |
ready to drop.
McCluskey, summoning by supreme
effort his remaining strength, drew his
knife and began to crawl feebly in the |
direction of his antagonist. The latter,
who had raised himself to sitting pos
ture, saw the movement and prepared to |
1t. Both had dropped their revol-
vers, leaving to the cold steel the compile
ton of the work.
By this time it had grown. quite dark,
and to distinguish the movements of the
required the closest attention.
Anderson was clearly unable 10 move any
portion of his body save his right arm.
With this he raised his knife aloft, and as
McCluskey crawled up to within reach
dealt him terrible blow in the neck, cut
ting muscles and tendons and veins, and
half severing the head from the body.
But the effort was too much for him, and
leaving the weapon sticking in the wound,
E.aI..