The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1878-12-13
tst. Louis Post.J
A PRAIRIE nURT..

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Some five years ago, Adam QoIdi,
,eiS ms native county Of Shannon
Mo'' where no was engaged in cattl,
raising, for Northern Texas, where Il,
passed two years, and there ono of N,
most exciting Incidents of his oaree,
happened, His fame az a marksmasl
became notorious. In the vicinity y
uoidie's ranch lived William Darrell
or as no was moro familialarIy termed
Bloody Bill This Bloody aiill was !
noted ruilian and desperate. His feata
~ naarkfmansbip were likewise as.
founding, and probably no man In the
Lone Star State excelled him in hand.
lieg the rifle. lie became Jealous of
doidies fame, and managed 10 picls, 1
quarrel with hin, which resulted mi
ehalienge. After sbert eons,sitaslDn.
.hey decided that a duel should be
fought, but, in consequence of the t,x-
!raordinary skill Of the parties, at I
long distance.
:. On the open prairie, about two miles
dlsiant, grew two post-oak trees, Thev
were four hundred and twenty vards
apart, and were tho only trees on that
spot All around was open, timberless
prairie. " was decided that Goldia
and Bill should both take up n position
behind the respective trees, and then
blaze away at each other. The Texans
hoped by this means to prevent blood.
shed, or at least TO prevent q fatal Ter.
rnination Of tho duel. The prelimina.
riss being settled, the whole party
mounted their horses and rode out on
the prairie TO the selected apot. Goldie
took his position behind one Of the
trees, and Bill ensconced himself be.
hind the other. The remaining part OF
the crowd then rode to a slight undu.
lating eminonco on the right. where
they were TO remain a. spectatars
Ono Of them was 70 give the signal Cor
the beginning Of the combat by firing
his rifle IN the air, aud the report was
70 DO tho signal 10 the duellists 10 be.
gun their bloody work. GoIdie waited
anxiously the delonation of the lille.
which suddenly sounded on the air II
Then began the duel at tho longest
range ever recorded Goldie advanced
from behind the tree in kneelins DOS.
ture, whom, wbiz his sombrero waa
perforated by ball from Bloody Bills
rifle. Quick ~ lightning he dropped
full length on the ground in
time TO escape the other two bullets
which eame IN rapid suc.aA.ion. He
lay still, brought his rifle inlo ,sp,itiun
- he was stretched upon tho ground.
aud then remained iinmovsl,le. Prrs.
emily he saw diminntive fgnie which
no knew to be Bill (whp was nearly
one inch taller than Goldic) ADVANCING
caatioualy from the shelter Of the tres.
Quickly taking aim, lac fred twice in
succession, and then retired bkliind the
sheltering trunk. Oae Of the bullets
he discovered had passed through Bills
left car. There wss a cessation now ot
firing for some time, when Goliio e.
pied his opponents head aud shoulders
exposed. Quick as lightning lis ride
was at his shoulder, and the decorating
report was heard. Bloody Bills hat
was carried away by the bullet.
Goldio now rather ineautioualy ad-
vanced from his shelter, and became
tho target for six bullets in rotation,
enc Of which made hole in his coat.
sleeve, another through his pants. He
beat hasty retreat. Il
The duelists remained gazing at the
distant trees, each Watching for the in,
distinct form which represented his adj
versary. Each peered cautiously from
behind the tree, endeayor TO got
sight Of the other. Goldie at last saw
Bill again advance, and the former
stepped rapidly to the front, and quick.
ly brought his rife into position.
Almost simultaneously the clear, sharp
report OF two rifles rang on the air,
and both menfell. Goldie managed tolift
himself and crawl behind the trunk Of
the tree He had been wounded in
the left shoulder. Presently he 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 penetrated bis temple.