Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1879-09-10
IN EXTRAORDINARY DUEL


A terrible duel lately occurred near
! Kansas City, Mo, between James
Dobbins and Michael Burns, result
ing in the death of both men. Burns
and Dobbins We're friends and neigh
bors -Four years ago Dobbins got
married, and at that time Burns lent
him eighty dollars. The money was
never paid back by Dobbns, and on
| this account there was a feeling of
enmity between the men. On Friday
Burns came to town. Dobhins was
at work on the road. On his way
home Burns passed the place We're
Dobbins and others were working
The men did not have any conversa-
ton. To go to his house Dobbins had
to pass by that of Burns. When Dob
bins arrived in front of Burns house,
he found Burns standing before the
door, revolver in hand Burns said
Jim, / want that money you owe
me-"
Dobbins made reply which in
censed Burns, but disregarding his
anger, Dobbins said: Throw down
that revolver and | can whip you"
Burns threw the revolver on the
ground, by his side, when Dobbins
said, "You have the drop on me now,
but if you wait till l come back will
be heeled to meet You"
Dobbins then drove his horses into
his yard, and, leaving them unhitched,
ran into the house. Here he got two
revolvers and started toward Burns
place. Burns was sitting on the door
step as Dobbins came up and before
he had time to move, and without n
word of warning to Burns, Dobbns
presented Il revolver in each hand and
opened fire. The balls from both re-
volvers lodged in the side Of tie house.
Burns then ran into the house, got his
pistol, and rushed out upon Dobbins.
The men advanced to within two feet
of each other before shot was fired
by either. Dobbins fired first, the
shot hitting Burns in the right fore
arm. Burns returned the FIRE, and
sent two bullets through Dobbins'
chest Although wounded desper-
ately, and fast becoming weak from
loss of blood, Dobbins summoned
strength enough to fire again, his
return shot tearing into Burns alb
domen, and passing through his body.
| Full of rage and desire to retaliate to
the last extremity, Burns managed to
raise his revolver and discharge it once
| more. His last shot struck Dobbins
under the left car and passed clear
| through his head. Rushing together
the men clinchcd each other and fell
to the ground, Dobbns being under
meath Burns then beat Dobbins over
the face and head with the butt of his
revolver. Supposing that Dobbins
was dead, Burns was about to leave
him, but with a desperate effort Dob
| bins turned, and in moment had
again thrown Burns to the ground.
One of the ncighbors, Mrs. kalfton,
appeared at this time and pulled Dob
bins away from Burns.
Two young men coming up, the
men were separated Burns was then
carried by the men to his own house,
and they went back TO the scene of tho
fight to carry Dobbins away. Lifting
the man to his feet they walked on
each side Of him, supporting him be-
tween them. They had hardly gone
Eve yards before Dobbns sank down
on his knees and died in the woods,
without uttering word. Burns lin
gcrcd day or two, when he died.
Both Of the bodies were buried in the
Catholic Cemetery oa Sunday after
noon. Burns was an unmarried man.
| Dobbins leaves wife and child.