The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1880-02-13
ArARKAnaAn nrrr.
one Of ihs Host Desperate Enesunisrs ss
Record.
[From Tho Little Rock tArk. J Gaasslo. ]

~4ss-frNSreA
Mr.. II. Thomas has just arrived in
the city from Hot Springs, and hav-
ing been a witness Of the desperate
encounter which recently occurred
between Col. Robert Alexander and
Col. Smiley, at that place, gives the
facts which we spread before our
readers:
Col. Alexander and Col. Smiley
were prominent claimants OF mining
lands at Silver City. Somc dispute
arose as TO claim. Being unable to
settle II satisfact 5rily, tho dispute
augmented into quarrel, and the
quarrel Into violent threats. II was
well known that both parties were
men Of nerve. Smiley had won
reputation Of being desperate In q
personal encounter. Alexander,
though he had never been credited
with shedding blood, was considered
a man with whom Il would not be
safe to trifie. AL efforts to settle the
misunderstanding failed, and those
who were acquainted with the cir.
cumstances expected that bloodshed
would be the ultimate result. Sew
eral days ago, the day when the en-
counter took place, Smiley came to
Hot Springs. Alexander was in
town. Smiley went TO tho bank and
asked OF the cashier
6Have you seen Alexander ."
Tho cashier replied that he had not
seen him, but understood that he
was In town.
al am going TO KIN him before
four O'clock" exclaimed Smiley, and,
turning, left tho bank. After leav-
ing the bank he had not gone far
when he met Alexander. The furi-
Gus aspect Immediately assumed by
each man illustrated the fact that vi-
olence would ensne. Alexander
drew large revolver and rushing
upon Smiley struck him over the
head. Smiley staggered back and
drew French self-cocking revolver,
and, with q rapIdlty almost beyond
the capacity Of enumeration, fired six
shots at Alexander. Three shots
took effect, ball striking each arm,
and another going through the lungs.
Alexander's pistol dropped from his
hand. He grasped Il with his lefl
hand, but the left arm having been
also wounded he was unable 20 cock
the weapon. Smiley was upon him.
With q cool, desperate presence oi
mind Alexander kicked his pistol In
10 a saloon, near which the encoun.
ter occurred. Then entering, ho
stopped and caught the muzzle Of hIs
pistol with his left hand, raising II
up, and cooked II with his foot He
lifted the pistol from the floor.
Smiley stood outside, peeping aronnd
a door-post, with only n part Of hIi
head exposed. Alexander nsrvously
lifted the weapon, took deliberate
aim end fired. The ball ploughed
along the post behind which Smiley
stood, half burylng itself, and stEik.
Ing Smiley In the forehead, weni
through his brain. smiley fell dead,
and Alexander, turning, sank from
loss Of blood.
A large crowd witnessed the en-.
couatcr, and thu graafosf o~etiemani
prevailed. Tho wonder Is that sew.
eral men were not killed, for wher
Smiley fred the six shots the side
walk was crowded with people. The
weapons used wero not parlor-pIstols,
but the brand intended to kill almost
regardless Of distance. One Of the
balls from Smiley's pistol weni
through q signboard and buried itsalI
IN another. The mark ON the door
post, made by the ball which killed
Smiley, Is full six feet from the side
walk. Nine men out Of ten would
have escaped, rs tho deadly missl'
would have passed harmlessly over
| Alexander, at last accounts, wa
suffering greatly, and Is not expected
10 live.