Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1873-08-08
A Sanguinary Conflict.
A TERRIBLE SUNSET SCENE ON THE
OPEN PRAIRIE.

ritory, at Medicine Lodge, a point
which is a great resort for hunters dur
ing the colder months. The parties en-
gagged in this desperate fight were Hugh
Anderson of Texas, and Arthur McClus-
key of Kansas, both desperadoes we'll
known on the frontier for their reckless
ness of life. Anderson had killed
brother of McClusky in dance-house
fracas, and the latter sought him out
for the express purpose of taking ven-
gance upon him. A Texan guide nam
ed Richards acted as a second for Me-
Clusky, and huge Kentuckian of the
name of Harding fulfilling 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 and
fire at given signal, and after the first
interchange of shots to conduct the fight
as each one should deem it best to bis
own advantage. The spot selected for
the encounter was in the open prairie.
The grass had been closely cropped by
the cattle, leaving the turf firm, yet elias
tic, and just the thing for rough-and-
tumble business. The men met long
after sunset in the presence ola crowd
of hunters and trappers, railroad survey
ors, gamblers and Indians. The com.
batants were duly placed, and the crowd
waited with breathless interest the re-
suit.
The giving of the signal had fallen by
lot to Harding. Stating to the princi-
pals, who by this time began to show
signs Of impatience, that this would be
the report of pistol, he drew his own
pistol and discharged it, first asking the
question and receiving the usual answer
that both we're ready.
THE FIGHT.
McClusky 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 follow
ed. A momentary pause ensued, each
of the antagonists closely scanning each
other to note the effect of the shot.
Across Anderson's cheek deep furrow,
from which the blood slowly began to
trickie down told the work of his antag-
onist, while McCluskey remained stand
ing in his original posture, to all appear
ances unharmed. But this was not the
fact. Those nearest to him fancied they
saw sudden spasm of pain, pass through
his frame. and his face certainly blanch-
ed 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 TAX
| ing more deliberate aim succeeded in
breaking his left arm. Anderson uttered
sharp cry and sank on one knee, but
quickly recovering himself returned the
! fire and this time with horrible effect.
The ball passing through McCluskey's 8
mouth carried with it several ofthe clench-
ed teeth and portion of the tongue,
finally lodging in the base of the skull.
McCluskey staggered forward few
steps and made desperate effort 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 spit
ting out mouthfulls of blood and teeth
at every step.
FEARFUL WOUNDS.
During the interval thus gained An
derson, who in his crippled state had
every reason to shun hand to-hand en-
counter, had not been idle, but fred an
other we'll aimed shot which broke Nc
Cluskey's left shoulder. AS if this was
not enough, he sent still another ball af-
ter him, which striking him in the pit
of the stomach, caused him to fall heay-
lily on his face. MeCluskey was now
mortally wounded, and momentarily
growing weaker from loss of blood.
Tearing 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
almost superhuman in its coolness and
deliberation fred at his antagonist his
third shot. The latter had been closely
watching for this, and endeavored to
save himself by dropping on the ground.
Too late, however, when his adversary's
body reached the earth it was heavier
by a Colts pistol ball. A scream of
pain followed, and the spectators saw
the figure of a man clutching wildly with
his hands at the grass and writhing and
twisting in horrible contortions The
bullet had struck him full in the abdo-
men and like his antagonist, Anderson
was now
FAsT-DYING MAN.
At this juncture it seemed as if the
crowd would interfere, but Harding
sternly bade them keep back ani leave
the men to settle the matter in their own
way. As none cared to dispute with
the gigantic hunter, the mandate was
obeyed, though q universal expression
of horror ran through the spectators, a
number of whom were engineers and at
tsches of our own party. Still, horrible
as was the scene, no one thought OF
leaving the spot. An irresistible faci-
nation to see it out, bound one and all
alike to the blood stained locality. But
the final was at hand-the curtain al.
most ready to drop.
McCluskey summoning by a supreme
effort his remaining strength, drew his
knife and began to crawl feebly in the
direction of his antagonist. The lattel
who had raised himself to sitting pos