The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1873-08-29
A sANaUISARY CsNFLuC1.


A sANGUINARY CsNFLICR.
A correspondent of the New
York World gives al account Of
one Of the most ferocious duels ever
fought. 1t occurred on the evening
Of July 4th, in the Indian Territory,
at Medicine Lodge, point which
is great resort for hunters during
the colder months. The parties
engaged in this desperate fight were
Hugh Anderson Of Texas and Ar
thur McCluskey Of Kansas, both
desperadoes well known on the
frontier for their recklessless Of lite.
Anderson had killed a brother Of
McCluskey in q dance-house tracas.
and the latter songht him out for
the express purpose of taking ven
geance upon him. A Texan guide
named Richards acted as second tor
McCluskey, a huge Kentuckian Of
the name Of Harding fulfilling a
similar Office for Anderson.
THB AGREEMENT.
BY the terms agreed upon be-
tween Richards and Harding the
antagonists were to III h with re-
volvers and bowie kllives-to be
placed back to back at ALI 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, The spot
selected for the encounter was 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-aud-tumble
business. The men met long after
sunset in the presence Of a crowd of
hunters, trappers, railroad survey
ors, gamblers and Indians. The
comDatants were duly placed, and
the crowd awaited with breathless
interest the result.
The giving Of the signal had fal.
len by lot to Harding. Stating to
the principals, who by this time be-
gan to show signs ofimpatience, that
this would be the report Of pistol
he drew his own weapon and dis
charged it, first asking the question
and receiving the usual answer that
both were ready.
THE FIGHT.
McCluskey was the first to FIRE,
wheeling as he did SO, though the
smoke had scarcely curIed from his
pistol before the report of Ander-
sons weapon followed. A momen-
tarY pause ensued, each of the an
tagonists closely scanning the other
to note the effect of the shot.
Across Anderson's cheek a deep
furow, from which the blood
slowly trinkle down, told the work
Of his antagonist, while Mct lu>key
remained standing III his posture, to
all appearances unframed. But
this was not the fact; those nearest
to him fancied they saw a sndden
spasm, as Of pain, pass through his
frame, and his face certainly
blanchel to death-like pallor, but
| Just where the ball had taken effect
they could not tell AT the second
fire McCluskey again anticipated
his opponent, and taking a more
deliberate aim succeeded in break
ing his left arm. Anderson uttered
sharp cry and sank on one knee,
but quickly recovering himself re-
turned the fire, and this time with
horrible effect. The ball passing
through McCluskey's mouth car
ried away with it several of the
clenched teeth and a portion Of the
tongue, finally lodging in the base Of
the skull, McCluskey staggered
forward wildly a few steps, and
made desperate efforts to steady
himself. The blood poured in tor
rents from the wound, and stained
llls hunting shirt and dripped from
the muzzIe Of his pistol; but with
heroic courage he continued to ad-
vance, splitting out mouthfuls Of
blood aud teeth at every step.
FEARFUL WOUNDS.
During the interval thus gained,