Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1873-07-28
,tr;A GAZETTE 4 VIRGINIA ADVERTISER
a DueI to the Death.

LODGE, INDIAN TERRITORY.
\ correspondent of the New York World
writes the following account of fearful duel
which took place at Medicine Lodge, Indian
Territory, on the 4th inst. The parties were
Hugh Anderson, noted Texas desperado and
Kansas man named AlcCluskey, whose broth
cr had been previously killed by the Texan.
The correspondent says
Bv the terms agreed upon between Richards
and Harding, the seconds, the antagonists were
10 fight with revolvers and Bowie -knlves-to be
placed back to back at an interval OF twenty
paces-to wheel and fire at given signal, and
after the first interchange OF shots TO conduct
the fight as each one should deem it best to his
advantage.
McCluskey, as he emerged from the house
where he had made his brief stay, looked d
picture of manly strength and vlgor. \ tight
fitting buckskir shirt and leggings, tastetully
embroidered set off his robust form to great
advantage and II was apparent to all that, In
the cveut Of "a close encounter, he would prove
a terrible antagonist to his rival. Hisrevolver,
Of CoIts 5 make, he carried iu his right hand,
while his bowie, encased in sheath OF untan
ned dccrskin, rested 90 his left hip, within easy
reach. Accompanied by Richards who had
simply thrown off bis coat and placed au extra
revolver in his belt he proceeded quickly to
the place of meeting, replying briefly to the
rough salutatous addressed him by the crowd,
Mt repeIling courteously the advance of few
Of the more curious who wished to learn from
his own lips the history of the present trouble.
The spot selected for the encounter was in the
opcn prairie few yards distant from the larger
Of the two srorehouses The grass had been
closely cropped by the cattle, leaving the turf
inn, yet elastic, and just the thing for rough
aDurumble business His antagonist not yet
having made his appearance, McCluskey seated
himself Oh the grass and conversed earnestly
with his second
While engaged in taking notes Of what was
passing in the crowd cry of Here comes An
dcrson with the old man caused every one to
,urn in the direction Of Harding $ house. Au-
derson, uerved probably by the knowledge OF
his great skill with the pistol, walked along
with jaunty, careless kind Of air that gained
him many friends among the lookers-on and
made him still greater tavorite iu the betting.
lie wore his usual dress, save that broad belt,
in which was stuck Dife, confped his coat at
the waist, and he had changed his light som
brero for military fatigue cap He passed by
close to where was standing, and our eyes
again met. Save that the look on his face
hardened little, and he contracted his brows
to visible scowl, there was nothing to indicate
the presence Of any unusual mental excitement,
not even when to take the position assigned
him he had to pass within an arms length OF
McCluskey.
But little time was wasted in preliminaries.
The twenty PAGES were quickly stepped off and
the prime: pals placed In their respective posi-
tions. The sun had long since set, aud the
dark pail of evening was rapidly settling on the
spot so that neither could be annoyed by the
T. IL ia p1aip
of holding an inferior position The crowd
drew back to what was deemed safe distance,
and the seconds, after a moments consultation
apart, advanced to give the signal. The inter
est at this moment 10 the proceedings was of
an intense nature, and served to keep the look
ers-on in state of breathless expectancy. Like
statues the figures of the two men who were to
fight Ioutrance loomed up against the West
crll sky each with the muzze Of his weapon
pointed to the earth. the: Intention clearly be-
ing to make ''riSing' shot, this is to FIRE,
catching the aim while the weapon is being
raised In this way the practised hand rarely
wastes his ammunition 10 the air by shooting
over his adversaIy's head, as so often happens
when the falling shot is adopted.
The giving Of the signal had fallen by lot to
Harding Stating to the principals, who by this
time began to show signs Of impatience, that
this would be the report of pistol, he drew his
own weapon and discharged it, first asking the
question and receiving the usual answer that
10th were ready.
THE DUEL.
McClu>key was the first to FIRE, wheeling as
lie d'd SO, though the smoke had scarcely curled
up from his pistol before the report of Ander-
sous weapon followed. A momeutary pause
ehSued, each of the antagonists closely scanning
the other to note the effect of the shot. Across
anderson check deep furrow, from which
u'e oiood slowly began to trickle down, told the
WORK OF his antagonist, while McClu<kcy re-
A'lucd standing in his original posture, to all
aappearances unharmed Bat this was not the
iacl. those nearest to him tancied they saw
ou1len SpaSm, of pain, pass through his frame,
anu his face certainly bIanched to deathlIke
!IaI'or, but just where She ball had taken effect
tuniey uiey could not tell. At the second fire Nc
vnskey ,.I:y again anticipated his opponent, and
IIaA'Is more deliberate aim, succeeded in
o'saN'ng his left arm Anderson uttered sharp
N.Y. N.Y. anu sunk on one knee, but quickly recover
MS "hseit, returned the fire, and this time
Meomo[ Met "oLnole effect. The ball, passing through
raorsuSsSey ra mouth, carried away with it seye-
,"n -" VI lhe clenched teeth and portion of the
MniTu' "naiIy lodging in the base of the skull
and IJI,u>Sey ,, staggered forward wildly few steps
ILs Taoe M' desperate efforts to steady himself
,nI "I @ ocoa poured in torrents from the wound,
rbn S Ma'ntd bis hunting shirt and dripped from
h." ''Uzlc OF his pistol; but with heroic courage
tnI. s"n[lnued to advance, splitting out mouth
III" b's o ol blood and teeth at every step. During
rr;n'I IISrVa thus gained, Anderson, who, iu his
'tplle1 state, had every reason to shuu hand
ana,h nIuu eucounter, had not been idle, but fred
uv!ner Suv! well-aimed shot, which broke McClus-
b.' lett shoulder. AS if this was not enough,
.r; -, sent still another ball after him, which,
l;n lM,Ang hlm in the pit of the stomach caused
lIt l;iu 10 tall forward heavily on his face Nc
m,u>Sey was now mortally wounded, and mo-
TIreutarlly growing weaker from loss of blood
leafing open his shirt in his agony, crimson
spot In his left side indicated the place where
iAuderson's first shot had taken effect. He still
however, retained his grasp Of his pistol and
w an effort superhuman in its GOODNESS and de-