The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-08-22
STANTON. VIRGINIA. AUGUST %. 1873.

one Sunday, however, Goldie was sitting
in company with score of Texans, who
were spending convivial hour in mild
carouse, when Bill rode up and Joined the
party. OF late he had become quite jeal-
GUS of Goldie's notoriety as marksm an, and
had frequently spoken disparagingly of the
latter. For some time the party passed the
time convivially enough, without anything
happening to mar the harmony OF the socia-
bility. At last the Texans began to relate
some OF their "reminiscences, and Goldie
commenced relating an incident that had
occurred to him. Bill, who had drunk heav-
lily of the whiskey, and became rather moody
in the midst of the narration, suddenly
jumped to his feet and at the same,time struck
a blow at him. All was instantly commotion.
The whole party were on their feet, and re-
volvers were drawn. Goldie demanded sat
isfaction for the insult, and Bloody Bill,
with scornful laugh, suggested that they
make it trial Of their respective skill
with the rifle. The idea was caught up by
the Texans, and after short consultation
they decided that duel should be fought,
but in consequence of the extraordinary skill
of the parties, at a long distance. On the
open prairie grew two post oak trees. They
were four hundred and twenty yard apart,
and were the only trees on that spot
All around was open, timbe1less prairie. 1t
was decided that Goldie and Bill should both
| ~. AZ, nd nj, fol- a
behind the respective trees, and then blaze
away at each other. The Texans hoped by
these means to prevent bloodshed, or at
least to prevent fatal termination to the
whole party mounted their horses and rode
out OH the prairie to the selected spot
Goldie took up his position behind one OF
the trees, and Bill ensconced himself behind
crowd then rode to slight uudulating emf
nence to the right, where they were to re-
main the spectators. One of them was to
give the signal for the beginning of the COM
bat by firing his rifle in the air, and the re-
port was to be the signal to the duellists to
begin with their bloody work. Goldie wait
ed anxiously the defamation of the rifle
which suddenly sounded on the air.
Then commenced the duel at the longest
range ever recorded. Goldie advanced from
behind the tree in kneeling posture, when
whiz his sombrero was perforated by ball
from Bloody Bills rifle. Quick as light
ming he dropped full length on the ground
in time to escape two other bullets which
came in rapid succession. He lay still.
brought his rifle into position, as he was
stretched upon the ground, and then re-
mained immovable. Presently he saw
dminutive figure which he knew to be Bill
(who was nearly one inch taller than Goldie)
advancing cautiously from the tree. Quickly
taking aim he fired twice in succession, and
then retired behind the sheltering trunk
One of the bullets, he afterwards discovered
had passed through the lobe Of Bill's left
ear. There was cessation now of firing
for some time, when Goldie espied his oppo-
nent's head and shoulders exposed. Quick
as lightning his rifle was at his shoulder.
and the decorating report was heard. Bloody
Bills hat was carried away by the bullet
Goldie now rather incautiously advanced
from his shelter and became the target for
six balls in rapid rotation, one OF which made
hole In his coat sleeve and another through
his pants. He beat a hasty retreat. The
duellists remained gazing at the distant trees,
each watching for the indisicct form which
represented his adversary. Goldie at last
saw Bill again advance, and the former
stepped rapidly to the front and quickly
brought his rifle into position. Almost 81
multaneously, the clear, sharp report OF the
two rifles rang upon the air, and both men
fell. GoIdie managed to raise himself and
crawl behind the trunk of the tree. He had
been wounded in the left shoulder. Pres
emily lie Was Joined by the Texans who had
been witnesses Of this most exciting duel.-
They had already ridden over to Bloody Bill
and found him dead. A bullet had pene-
trated his temple.
Another wonderful fact connected with
Goldie is that he is just as good "a marks
man and just as dexterous witt. the revolver
u
can bit the centre of the bulls eye, and then
| put twenty balls in quick succession through
the same oriice. At forty PAGES he can,
with his revolver, knock off the ashes OF a
cigar which gentleman may be smoking,
although few men have the nerve to stand as
a target. Another OF his feats with the re-
volver is firing at a champage- bottle at forty
PAGES, and with the bullet driving the cork
into the bottle. In short, his feats with the
pistol are too numerous to mention. He
seems to fire without taking aim, as some OF
this shooting he can do in almost any posi-
tor, firing from under his leg, &c.
Goldie himself is very modest man
seems to think nothing OF his remarkable
achievements, and is altogether very unas-
suming. The reporter asked him how he
would like to shoot against DR.. Carver; he
answered in a very quiet manner that he
would like it much. He was further asked
said rather quietly, he ''would at any rae
try mighty hard
1t is understood that some gentlemen whit
are acquainted with Goldie's record with thu
rifle and have witnessed his splendid shoot
ing are raising sum of money to bring
him before the public. It is their intention
that he shall first give public exhibition o
his skill here in St. Louis, probably at tn
race-track, and afterward go East, when
match is to be arranged between him an
DR.. Carver.
Pierced by Needle.
death comes at last, and with little pin,
Bores through his castle wall.-and farewell
King! :"
What Shakespeare said of the vanity c
kings lives, describes equally we'll the frail
ty of human life everywhere. The follow
ing singular story comes from Toronto, Can
ada
A young man named Henry Hubbard
aged thirty Eight years, fell dead while wall
Ing the streets. OF course, the usual inquir
was instituted and examination made.
was at the first supposed he was the victiI
Of heart-disease, but the most vigorou