The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1878-09-26
A Prairie Duel.
A TERRIBLE TEST OF MARKsMANsHIP'

Some five years ago Adam Goldie left
his native county of Shannon, Missouri.
where he is engaged in cattle raising,
for Northern Texas, where he passed
two years, and there one of the most
! exciting incidents of his career hep
pened. His fame as marksman a;Bong
the Texans soon became notorious. In
the vicinity of Goldie's rancho -lived
William Darrell, or as he was. more
familiarly termed, Bloody Bill. This
Bloody Bill was a noted rufian and
desperate. His feats in Workmanship
we're likewise astounding, and probably
no man in the Lone Star State excelled
him in handling the rife. He became
Jealous of Goldie's fame and managed TO
pick a quarrel with him, which resulted
| iu challenge. After short consul
tation they decided that duel should
be fought, but, in..conscquence Of the
extraordinary skill of the parties, at
long distance.
On the open prairie, about two miles
distant. grew two post oak trees. They
we're four hundred and twenty yards
apart and were the only trees on that
spot. All around was open, tlmberless
prairie. It was decided that Goldie
and Bill should both take their rifles
and each take up a position behind
their respective trees, and then blaze
away at each other The Texans
hoped by this means to prevent blood
shed, or at least to prevent fatal ter
mination of the duel, The prelimi-
naries 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 ensconed himself behind
tie other. The remaining party of the
crowd then rode to slight undulating
eminence to the right, where they were
to remain as spectators. One of them
was to give the signal for the beginning
of the combat by firing his rife in the
air, and the report was to be the signal
to the duelists so begin with their
bloody work. Goldie waited aDxiously
the detonation of the rife, which sud-
denly sounded on the air.
Then began the duel at the longest
range ever recorded. Goldie advanced
from behind the tree in a kneeling pos
ture, when, whiz his sombrero was per
forated by ball from Bloody Bills
rife. Quick as tightening he dropped
full len 9Th on the ground in time to
escape the two other bullets which
came in rapid succession. He lay still,
brought his rife into position, as be
was stretched upon the ground, and
then remained immovabe. Presently
he saw a dimiuutive figure which he
knew to be Bill! (who was nearly one
inch taller than Goldie) advancing
cautiously from the shelter of the tree.
Quickly taking aim he fired twice in
succession and then retired behind the
shelteriDg trunk. One of the bullets,
he afterwards discovered, had passed
through tho lobe of Bills left ear.
There was q cessation now of firing for
some time, when Goldie espied his oppo-
nent's head and shoulders exposed.
Quick as tightening his rife was at his
shoulder. and the detonating report was
heard. Bloody Bills hat was carried
away by tho bullet. Goldie now rather
incautiously advanced from his shelter
and became the target for six balls IN
rotation, one of which made hole In
bis csat-sleevo and another through
his pants. He beat hasty retreat
The duelists remained gazing at the
distant trees, each watching for the In
distinct form which represented his ad
versary. Each peered cautiously IRON
behind the tree, endeavoriDg to gel
sight of each other. Goldie at last saV
Bill again advance, and tho formel
stepped rapidly to the front and qulcS;
Ily brought Luis rife into position. Al