Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1873-08-09
A DUEL TO THE DEATH.
ACCOUNT OF A TERRIBLE DUEL AT MEDI-
CINE LODGE, INDIAN TERRITORY.

A correspondent of the New York
World writes the following account OF
a fearful duel which took place at Med
icine Lodge, Indian Territory, on the 4th
ult. The parties were Hugh Anderson,
a noted Texas desperate, and Kansas
man named McCluskey, whose brother
had been previously killedby the Texan.
The correspondent says:
BY the terms agreed upon between
Richards and Harding, the seconds, the
antagonists were to fight with revolyers
and Bowie knives-to be placed back to
back at an interval of twenty paces-to
wheel and fire at given sigaal, and al
ter the first interchange OF shots to con
duct 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,
looking the picture Of manly strength
and vigor. a tight-ftting buckskin
shirt and leggings, tastefully embroider-
ed, set off his robust form to great ad-
vantage, and it was apparent TO all that,
in the event of Il close encounter. he
would prove terrible antagonist TO his
rival. His revolver, OF Colts make, he
carried in his right hand, while his Bow
ie.encased in a sheath of untanned deer
skin. rested on his left hip, within easy
reach. Accompanied by Richards, who
had simply thrown off his coat, and
placed an extra revolver i'll his belt, he
proceeded quickly to the place OF meet
inc, replying briefly to the rough Salu-
tations addressed him by the crowd, but
repelling courteously the advance OF Il
few of the more curious who wished to
learn from his own lirs the history OF
the present trouble. The spot selected
for the encounter was in the open praI-
rie few yards distance from the larger
of the two store-houses. The grass had
been closely cropped 5y the cattle, lcav-
inc the turf firm, yet elastic, and Just
the thing forrough h and-tumble business.
His antagonist not having yet made hls
appearance, McCluSkey seated himself
on the grass and conyersed earnestly
with his second.
While engaged in taking notes OF
what was passing in the crowd, cry
of .IIere comes Anderson with the Old
man." caused every one TO turn III the
direction Of IIardmgs house. Anderson
ncryed probably, by the knowledge OF
his great skill with the pistol, walked
alon1 with a iauntv, careless kind OF
air that gained him many friends among
the lockers on, and made him a still
greater fayorite i'll the betting. lie
wore his usual dress, save that broad
belt. in which was stuck knife, coniln-
cd his coat at the waist, and he had
changed MS light sombrero for militia
~ fatigue cap. lie 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 face to 4 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 prclm-
inaries. The twenty PAGES were quickly
steppeKotf and the principals placed in
their respective positions The sun had
long since set, and the dark pail OF eve
ming was rapidly settling on the spot,so
that neither could be annoyed by the
rays of the sun, nor could either side
complain of holding an inferior position.
The crowd drew back to what was
deemed a safe distance, and the seconds,
after moments consultation apart, AL
yanced to give the signal. The interest
at this moment in the proceedings was
of an intense nature, and served TO keep
the lockers on in state Of breathless
expectancy. Like statues the figures Of
the two men who were TO fight pou-
trance loomed up against the Western
sky, each with the muzzle Of his weapon
pointing to the earth, the intention
clearly being TO catch 'rising' shot
this is, to fire, catching the aim while
the weapon is being raised. In this
way the prac,iced hand rarely wastes
his ammunition in the air by shooting
over his adversary's head, as so often
happens when the falling shot is adopt
cd.
The giving of the signal had fallen
by lot to Harding. Stating to the prin-
cipaIs, 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 an
swer that both were ready.
TIE DUEL.
McCluskey was the first TO FIRE, wheel
ing as he did so, though the smoke bad
scarcely curled up from his pistol before
the report Of Anderson s weapon follow
ed. \ momentary pause ensued, each
of the antagonists closely scanning the
other to note the effect Of the shot.
Across Anderson's cheek deep fnrrow,
from which the blood slowly began TO
trickle down, told the work of his an
tagonist, while McCluskey remained
standing in his original posture, to all
appearances unharmed. 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 death-like
pallor; but just where the ball had taken
effect they could rot tell At the sec
ond fire McCluskey again anticipated
his opponent, and taking more delib-