Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-12-08
A Prairie Duel.

Some i've years ago, Adam Goldie left his
native county OF Shannon, Mo, where he was
engaged in cattle raising, for Northern Texas,
where he passed two years, and there one of the
most exciting incidents of his career happen
ed. His fame as a marksman among the Tex
ans soon became notorious In the vicinity
OF Goldie's ranch lived William Darrell, or as
ne was familarly termed, Bloody Bill This
Bloody Bill was noted ruffian and desperado.
His feats IN craftsmanship were likewise as
founding, and probably no man in the Lone
Star State excelled him in handling the rife.
He became jealous of Goldie's fame, and man
aged to pick a quarrel with him, which re-
suited in achallenge. After short corsulta
tion,they decided that a duel should be fought.
but, in consequence of the extraordinary skin
OF the parties, at long distance.
On the open prairie, about two miles dis
tant, grew two post oak trees. They were
four hundred and twenty yards apart, and
were the only trees on that spot All around
was open, timberless prairie. It was decided
that Goldie and Bill should both take UP a
position behind their respective trees, and
then blaze away at each other. The Texans
hoped by this means to prevent fatal termi.
nation OF the duel. The preliminaries being
settled the whole party mounted their horses
and rode out on the prairie to the selected
spot Goldie took up his position behind one
OF the trees, and Bill enscenced himself be-
hlnd the other. The remaining party of the
crowd then rode to slight undulating emil
nence to the right, where they were to re-
main as spectators. One of them was to give
the signal for the beginning of the combat By
firing his rifle in the air, and the report was to
be the signal to the duellists to begin their
bloody work. GoIdie waited anxiously the
detonation Of the riff which suddenly sound
ed on the air.
Then began the duel at the longest range
ever recorded. Goldie advanced from behind
the tree ID kneoling posture, when, whiz!
his somb rero was perforated by a ball from
Bloody bips rife. Quick as lightning he
dropped full length on the ground in time to
escape the other two bullets which came in
rapid succession. He lay still, brought his
rifle into position as he was stretched upon
the ground, and then remained iunovable
Presently he saw diminutive figure which
he knew to be Bill (who was nearly one inch
taller than Golde) advancing cautiously from
the shelter OF the tree. Quickly taking aim.
be fired twice IN succession, and then retired
behind the sheltering trunk. One OF the bull
lets he discovered had passed through the
lobe Of Bill's left ear. There was a cessation
now OF firing for some time, when Goldie es-
plea his opponents head and shoulders ex
posed. Quick as lightning his rifle was at his
shoulder, and the decorating report was
heard. Bloody Bll's hat was carried away by
the bullet. Goldie now rather incautlously
advanced from bis shelter, and became the
target for six bullets in rotation one Of which
made hole in his coat sleeve, and another
through his pants He beat hasty retreat.
The duellists remained gazing at the dis
tant trees, each watching for the indistinct
form which represented his adversary Each
peered cautiously from behind the tree, en-
deavoring to get sight of the other Goldie at
last saw Bill again advance, and the former
stepped rapidly to the 'front.' and quickly
brought his rifle into position. Almost sim
ultaneousiy the clear sharp report OF two
rifles rang on the air, and both men fell
Goldie managed to raise himself and crawl
behind the trunk of a tree. He had been
wounded in the left shoulder Presently he
was Joined by the Texans, who had been wit
nesses of this most exciting duel They had
already ridden over to Bloody Bill and found
him dead A bullet had penetrated his tenn
ple.-St. Louis Post