The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1875-01-07
a Duel in the Road.
TOmaha Cor. New York Sun. ]

good old-iashioned kind, improvised on
the spur of the moment and fought out to
the death.
Dan S. Parmalee, of OMAHA and Tom
keeler, whose farm lies tour miles from
Elkhorn, got into dispute about a piece
OF land several years ago. The dispute
gave birth to the bitterest feelings be-
tween the men. Palmalee owns grain
warehouse at Elkhorn, and a farm near
| Tom Keeler's place. The former was at
his warehouse on Saturday, and left Elk
horn in the afternoon in a light wagon
In his company was one OF his hands,
| VIII Philpot in charge OF team OF mules
and a load Of cobs. Thay had hardly
cleared the edge of the town when Tom
Keeler drove out, and, passing Parmalee,
came to stand and faced him. do you
want to fight? Yes or no. and be quick
about it," said he. go to the devil - said
Parmalee and the two then drove on for
short distance and again stopped
| Parmalee knew that the crisis had come
Keeler had frequently threatened to kill
him, and for some time ne had never gone
abroad without arms, knowing that his
enemy was desperate character who had
more than once taken human life on slight
provoeation. As soon as keeler stopped
Parmalee took up his Winchester rifle.
jumped to the ground and sheltered him
self behind his wagon At the same mo-
ment keeler sprang to the side OF his
wagon, shotgun in hand, placing Ph.lpot
betw cen him and Parmalee The latter
opened the duel by firing twice in rapid
succession, both shots taking effect, but
neither making more than slight flesh
wound. Philpot lost no time in getting
out from between the two tfres, and rs he
sprang away keelcr emptied one OF the
barrels of his gun, but with poor sim, tor
the buckshot scattered and only one struck
the man for whom the load was intended,
wounding him slightly. Another struck
one of Parmalee's horses, and the team
set off on run kecler fired again, but
missed, when his team started He jumped
from the wagon and ran toward u corn
field at the side of the road Parmaee
fired and sent ball through his body
Keeler now felt that his time had come
He had lost all hope, and instead Of draw
ing and using his revolver which he al
ways carried strapped to his hip, he turned
and begged for mercy. Parmalee fired
again, and the ball passed through heeler'a
neck, and as he was topling over TO tho
earth another ball from the deadly rifle
went crashing through his brain, and the
mortal career Of the notorious Tom Keel
er was at an end Parmalee gave himself
up to Deputy Sheriff who came along
few moments afterward, and was taken to
Omaha.
Both actors in this tragedy have his
tories of more than ordinary interest. They
came to the West about twenty years ago,
and are widely known. Parmalee is
wealthy citizen OF Omaha, and mas always
enjoyed the respect OF the community. He
was a popular m ember of the Territorial
Legislature in 1866, and was twice re-
elected to the same body after the admis
sion of Nebraska as State. When the
question regarding the removal of the
Capitol came up Parmalee showed him
self a man of iron nerve in the exciting
scenes that grew out Of the discussion. 1t
will be remembered that Chaplin, the
Speaker, was first voted out, and then put
out of the chair by main force, for making
what the majority thought We're erroneous
rulings in regard to the admission of q
member from Otoe County. Every man
had his pistol ready, and for time
scene OF bloodshed seemed inevitable.
Parmalee was several times covered with
the revolver of an excited opponent, but
he stood the ordeal without fear and with
out bravado, thus gaining q name for true
courage that he has never lost
When he was mining in the mountains,
g few wears ago. a man who had disputed
his right to the claim he was working
made an attempt to kill him and his part
ner5 by rolling immense rocks down upon
them Seeing that his little cabin was IN
danger OF being destroyed and that his
enemy was bent upon destroying II II he
when the next rock came down dead
man came with it.
IOm keeler has Tor many years enjoyed
the reputation of being d dangerous man.
When he first came to this region he loca-
ted near kearney, where he had tour
ranches, with a wife fol- each; and it is
said that he made his living for long
time by robbing emigrants who were on
their way to the mines He was fond OF
draw poker but could not hold q candle
to Poker Jack, for he more frequently lost
than won His loss, however. was gen
orally temporary. On one occasion he
waylaid one of his opponents, who had
''Called' him for q heavy pot and,
drawing his revolver, commanded the
winner TO put the money down aAd git.
The man llI as he was bdden, without
delay. 1t WAS by similar winning ways
that he kept himself even with those who
gambed with him. He was Short, stout,
agile fellow, and spoke with q peculiar
drawl When he was about to perpetratc
some particularly atrocioUs outrage he
always soothed his victim with the soft
ly-spokeu pledge, Little Tom keeler
wouldn't harm u hair ct yIur head, and
then stabbed or robbed with the most re-