The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1878-03-23

batants must fire both barrels between
the words " fire. and "five." The
weapons were ordinary shotguns, load
ed with ball. Gen. Lewis loaded Mr..
La Branches gun, and Col. Hagan Mr..
Hueston's. The word was given by
Col. McArdle. Both parties were cool
and determined. It was observable,
however. that Mr.. Hueston still bore
marks on his face of his recent severe
beating. His face was swollen and his
eyes blackened. He wore spectacles
and white hat. But never did man
manifest more determined aspect and
q greater insensibility to danger, more
desperate resolve to kill or to be killed.
At the first fire both parties discharg-
ed their pieces nearly together. One Of
the balls from Mr.. La Branches piece
passed through Hueston's hat, another
through his coat. Those Of Hueston
flew wide of the mark. 1t was obvious
to the seconds and the spectators, that
Mr.. La Branche had the advantage of
greater quickness and skill in handling
his weapon. 1851 1aef sd 10
The seconds of Mr.. La Branche APP
preached those of Mr.. Hueston with the
usual inquiry whether their principal
was satisfied. These gentlemen con-
suited Hueston. He shook his head with
great positiveness, and requested them
to load up. aas. 4lEa.8-- -
A second exchange was then had,
with similar results to the first. The
two balls of La Branche whizzed close
by the head of Hueston, who again fired
wild. ss1. lgpat sti ia Ok
There was another interview of the
seconds and o repetition of the emphatic
shake of the head by Mr.. Hueston. His
seconds demonstrated, and apOlogized
to the seconds of the other side for the
persistency of their principal, Col. Ha-
gan remarking that after the next fire
the distance should be shortened or the
parties retired. "a '.-.7'1
The spectators manifested the same
sentiment by crying out that the affair
should end there. But Hueston was
immovable, and with cool popularity re-
quested that the guns be reloaded. His
obstinacy prevailed.
smoke cleared away the combatants
were observed in the same position, ap-
parently unhurt. One of the balls from
La Branches gun had barely missed the
skull of Hueston, passing through his
hair and slightly puncturing the skin
causing the blood to flow. ,ss1-il "a.
At the third interview of the seconds
it was suggested that, Mr.. Hueston be-
ing wounded, the combat should there
end. This suggestion appeared to in.
flame the Obduracy of Hueston> !" Feel
my pulse" he asked of the surgeon,
/" and say whether it does not beat
steady and regular" The surgeon felt
his pulse and declared that there was
no irregularity, but added that the af-
fair ought to end there. So thought
and declared every body else but Hues-
ton. He was inflexible in his resolution
to kill or be killed. With manifest sor-
row and Indignation arrangements were
made for the fourth exchange of shots.
At the word the parties fired, as be.
fore. Each discharged both barrels.
At the discharge of La Branches first
barrel, this being his seventh shot,
Hueston reeled and fell. He had dis
charged both barrels of his gun. La
Branches second barrel was discharged,
being the eighth shot. before he could
perceive the effect of the last. His
friends and the surgeon advanced to
Hueston, who was prone on the ground,
lifted him into carriage, and bore him
to the city. An examination showed
that he had been shot through the
lungs, and had but few moments to
live. He was taken to the MaisOn de
Sante, where, after the most intense ag-
ony, during which he begged one of his
friends, as the last kindness he could
render him, to fire ball through his
head and end his torture, he died.
The next day sorrowful cortege,
composed of the personal and political
friends of Hueston, conducted his body
to the steamboat, and the day after de-
livered it to his family at Baton Rouge.