The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1880-02-27
DESPERATE SHOOTING ARRAY.
Two Men Wounded-one of Them Serieusi
From the Madi.opiau aist.

From the Madsoniau 2ist.
On Tuesday night, about half past IL
o'clock, an affray occurred 10 the Pony
saloon, IN which two men mad close call
for their lives. The particulars of the
affair, as nearly as our reporter could gather
from the conflicting statements of those
who were in the room during the shooting,
are about as follows: A faro game was IN
progress, in which J. N. Merkle, one Of
the shootists, was the dealer, and John
Johnson, the other, was among the players
against the bank. johnson, it appears, got
"broke" during the game, and, as he got
up TO leave the table, heard, or supposed
he heard, some remarks making fun OF his
i'll fortune. he retortei sngriiy, saying
have had enough of this joshing,' and
won't stand any more OF It," to which
Merkls replied that he had not been "josh-
ing" johnson retorted with the 90 ie d.
rect" to whcL Merkle responded, with an
emphatic declaration, that he (Johnson)
was "a lying thief" This non .compli-
mentary retorL and rejoinder had hardly
been exchanged when the disputants, WHO
we're both heeled," commenced firing at
each other across the room. and. in less
time than it takes to relate 1t, the combat
was over, two men were placed hors de
combat, and the dozen or Two of players
who, just before, surrounded the ''lay out"
were crouchsd under the tables, endeavor-
ing to get out OF the line of the deadly
missiles. 1t is singular that out OF 80
many men in the room at TIE time of til.
shooting, scarcely any two give the same
version of the OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES aleg-
Ing that Merkls was the first Co open fire,
others as positively assert that the frs
shot was discharged from Johnson's pistol.
The man who was employed as lookout"
and who. from his position, was best able
to judge, declares that the firing took place
SO quickly that he cannot tell who fired the
first shot. Two shots, however, were fired
by each combatant, johnson hitting his
antagonist each time, one bullet entering
the left breast just above the nipple, and
coming out on the same side, infllctlng a
flesh wound in the arm. and the other shat
tering Merkle's left arm near the elbow
Joint. Merkle's shooting was less accurate,
his first shot striking James McAdams-
who was sitting at the table, aud who,
when the pistols were drawn, got as much
out of line az possible by ducking his head
near the point Of the shoulder blade, and
travelling down his back some ten or twelve
inches, lodged about an inch from the spinal
COLUMN. At this time Merklo excl lined
Boys, am shot through the heart! " and
ran, or rather fell, from behind the lay out,
and his second bail, discharged at this time,
found a harmless Judgment IN the seat of a
chair near by. The conclusion produced
by the firing extinguished all the lamps ex
cept one, which furnished sufficient light
for johnson to See some of the effects
of the shots, aud lie ran from the
house and, although commanded bv
Deputy Sheriff James Mitchell to halt, did
not stop until he reached Sheriff Edsali's
house, to whom he voluntarily surrender
ed himself.
As soon as the excitement attending the
encounter was, in measure, allayed, at
tention was given to the wounded men.
MerkIe was removed TO bis home on Coover
street, and DR.. E. T. wager was called
when it was found that the ball which
struck him in the breast had, in it's course,
passed through the left lung. and he now
lies in a critical condition, suffering from
internal hemorrhage, although some hopes
are entertained of his ultimate recovery.
DIR. |. q. Smith was summoned to attend
to Mr.. McAdams, and tho bullet which
struck him was found Embedded Just be-
meath the skin, in close proximity to the
spinal column. He experienced a very
narrow escape, as, mad the oall continued
| an inch further in the direction it had taken
death would have been almost instantane-
ons. Fortunately, however, it's progress
was stayed at the critical point, and he
suffers only from flesh wound, from which
he will probably recover in a few days.
Of the cause which led to the encounter,
except those related above, we know moth
ing. 1t is very generally expressed opinion
that they lie deeper and beyond the trivial
quarrel on Tuesday evening, and that both
men were anticipating aud prepared for, the
event. AS the matter will soon come before
the authorities for adjudication, Wa deem
it best not to progresses public sentiment
in any way; but confine this article to a
circumstantial statement as related by eye
witnesses OF the ARRAY. johnson is now
in the custody Of the Sheriff awaiting an
examination, which has been postponed
until the result Of Merkle's injuries are
| known H