The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1873-08-01
A Sanguinary Conflict.
A Terrible Sunset Scene on the
Open Prairie.

The FerOciOus Fight bet1Ueen Hugh
Anderson and Author AcCluskey-
Hop0 Teras and Kansas DesperQdoes
Settle their QRGTreLS-Deatb and
Darkness.
A correspondent of the World gives an
account of one of the most fer0ciOus duels
ever fought. 1t occurred on the evening
of July 4, 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 Author McCluskey of Kansas,
both desperadOes we'll known on the
frontier for their Feeklessness. An
dersun had killed brother of McCluskey
in a 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, hugh Kentuekian of
the name of Harding fulfilled a similar
officer for Anderson.
THE AGREEMENT.
By the terms agreed upon between
Richards and Ha ding the ante gOnists
were to fight with revOlvers and bowie
knives-tO be placed back to back at an
interval Of 20 paces-tO wheel and fire
at given signal, and after the first iHs
| terchange of shots to conduct the fight as
| each one should deem it best to his adj
vantage. The spot selected for the en-
counter was in the open prairie The
/ grass had been closely cropped by the
! cattle, leaving the turf firm, yet elastic,
and Just the thing for rough and tumble
! business. The men met long after sunset
! in the presence of crowd of hunters,
trappers, railroad surveyors, gamblers,
and Indians. The eOmbatants 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 princir
pals, who by this time began to show
signs of lmpatience, that this would be
| the report of q pistol, he drew his Owl
weapon and discharged it, first asking
the question and receiving the usual an
swer 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 follow y
ed. 4 momentaTy pause ensued, each of
the antagonists closely scanning the
9th er to note the effect of the shot.
Across AndersOn's cheek a deep furrow,
from which the blood slowly began to
tricie down, told the work of his antag-
onist, while McCluskey remained stand-
ing in his original pasture, to all appear
ances unharmed. Bot this was not the
fact. Those nearest to him faBeied they
saw q sudden spasm, as of pain, pass
through his frame, and his face certainly
blanche to q death-like PallOF, but just
where the ball had taken effect they could
not tell At the second fire McCluskey
again anticipated bis opponent, aud taxi
ing deliberate aim succeeded in breaking
his left arm. Anderson uttered a sharp
cry and sank on one knee, but quickly
recovering himself returned the fire, and
this tine with horrible effect The ball
passing through McCluskey e mouth car
RED away with it several of the clenched
teeth and portion Of the tongue, finally
lodging in the base of the skull Me-
Cluskey staggered forward wildly q few
steps, and made desperate efforts 20
steady himself The blood poured il
torrents from the wound, and stained his
hunting shirt and dripped from the muz-
zle of bis pistol; but with heroic courage
be continued 10 advance, splitting out
mouthfuls 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 Ii hand-to hand en-
counter, had not been idle, but fired an,
other wellsimed shot which broke Nc
Cluskey' left shoulder As If this was MOI
enough, he sent still another ball sftel
him, which, striking him in the pit o.
the stomach, caused him 30 fall foFward
heavily on bis face. MsCluskey was nos
mOrtally wounded and mOmentsFily grow
ing weaker from loss Of blood Tearing
open his shirt IN his agony . crimson
spot in his left side indicated the plaeC
where AHdersOn's first shot had takeI
effect He still. however, retained hi
grasp Of his pistol, aid by an effort su'
perh uman in its GOODNESS and delibera,
lion fred at his antagonist his third shot
The latter had been closely watching fo
: this, and endeayOred 90 save himself b.
! suddenly dropping on the ground To