The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1882-10-18
A COW BOYS DUEL.
HOW DISPUTES ARE SETTLED
Ia Tho Wit-Ths DloodleGt and Noss TrsgieA
Fight on l,rord-Ths Depraslty Of Western /.
:. Clviliiatlon-Ssus Notes Of iutsrest
from al Fartl Of. The Countrr ~


from All Fartl Of The Country. az
DENVER, October l7.-John Kelly, one
Of tho participants in tho famous "eow boy
duel" arrived here yesterday. lie Is re-.
markable man. Born in Buffalo about
thirty years ago he came West at IN early
age, and became pretty well known Us
"Kid Frank" After leading an adven.
turous life he married a well.,o,do Mcxi.
ean woman, aud by her secured a fine
ranch forty miles square in old Mexico, on
the San redros River, close to Tic line.
lie became known far and wide by his
skill in shooting, and was generally avoid.
ed by men DESTROYS Of killing come one tor
the sake Of notoriety. Ills herd grew rap.
idly until about four months ago, when be
found Ills brand Oh 5000 head OF cattle,
worth nearly 100000. lie determined to
sell $500 head, and gathering up 1850
head more he started 10 drive 10 Denver, Il
distance Of nearly 1900 miles. Ills outfit
consisted Of thirty.two COW boys, aid Frank
took command OF the expedition. The trip
WIS a very long and severe one,
but by using great care the losses were
small. Thepa1ly started May %, and made
slow march across the burningplains and
tracklcss wastes Of Arizona and NewMex.
leo, until September s found them fifty
miles north OF Trinidad and an ea,,a| dis.
tance cast Of Curarus. The Kelly outfit
went into camp for day near The camp Of
George Howard. u large cattle grower. The
latter had large herd Of 5000 cattle, and
commanded % COW boys. The two herds
become mixed up while travelling close to-
gether, and Howard made CLAIM, for cal.
tic which Kelly considered unjust, and re-
fused it. This angered Howard and words
followed. Kelly claimed that Howard had
some OF his cattle, and offered to exchange;
but the latter refused, aud the quarrel be.
came very dangerous. The COW boys OH
each side gathered around and began to
handle their weapons in manner which
indicated TINT they meant business.
Kelly saw the danger. IIe knew il a
light should occur between such deadly
markslnen there would hardly be II mau
left to tell the tale, and in addition 10 the
loss Of human lille the huge herdsot cattle
would be scattered and all hands ruined.
Just rs the cloud oil war was about to burst
he conceived plan to avoid blootlshed,
and broached it to Howard, who agreed to
it. The plan was us follows: Elcfi was to
select six cowboys, the best shots in their
outlits, and, placing them in line fifty yards
distance on horseback, to give tue word
"Fjrt" and let them settle the Dispute.
This novel method Of settling difference
was hailed with delight by the men Oh each
side, and volunteers were numerous, kel.
ley selected six men who had been
with him IL long time, ard been tried
and proved in many desperate sit.
uatlon. Howard selected six OF his best
men. There was no time lost in preparing
for the duel, which was 10 be the greatest
affair Of the kind ever known. Tie men
OF the opposing sides retired to their camp
and coolly made preparations for the feast
Of death. They grooaied their HOSES, oiled
and cleaned their revolvers, and, putting
their saddles on with care, rode out to
fight. "kid Frank's'' men were armed
with WINCHESTER revolvcrs, IS and a cali.
bre, long barreled, and Towards six car.
rled Colts improved. Each man knew his
weapon and his horse, and all were fully
aware Of thc fact ,l,ut the men Standing 10
yrimly in front Of them were equally we'll
equipped.
The opposing duelists were drawn IN in
line facing each other Mt 8 o'clock in the
afternoon. The sight was one which few
men have looked upon. Fifty yards apart
stood like statues two lines OF men, horse
and rider almost one, every duelist grasp
ing huge, glittering revolver in eAch hand,
with the reins in his teeth or hanging
loosely, for these daredevil riders OF the
South guide their horses with the knees, as
the scarcely more savage Indian does.
Around about, carelessly within the range
Of stray bullets. were the friends OF both
parties, mounted on their horses, watching
the fight and 10 sec that no advantage
should be taken. At either side was the
chief who had sent these men out 10 die.
Over brooded n deathlike silence, while on
all the swelling, rolling, silent plain sloue
the gold Of the bright September sun. The
man who was detailed 10 give the word
which WIS destined to create Il whirlwind
OF death started forward. At the first move
there was shiver Of life along both lines,
but It WIS not sIiver OF fear. Each man
Strengthened himself, erasped his pistols
the trmer and singled out his oppo-
ncnt. The umpire lifted his hand,
and suddenly OF the still air came tho
cry Of doom, "Fire!" At the
word twelve horses bounded forward and
twelve pistol shots rang ont. Three OF
Towards men threw up their arms and iell
from their horses, while only oneof Kelly's
men fell. kelly's men, not needing their
comnlde's death, sped straight toward the
three men III front Of them. The latter
dropped their pistols in their bride hunds
and pulled their horses up, while their five
nemics came riding swiftly on, pouring q
hail oil bullcIs in from pistol in every
hand. Tie Howard men saw the odds.
They were too great, md, turning sudden
ly, they ran, turning in their saddles rs
they flew, and hravely returning the fire.
in three brief minutes The duel was fought
and Won, and four dead men lny upol The
ground. Frank rode up to Howard and
sud: Snow, you and l will settle with
each other" .TT 53F !
"No,' replied Howard, as he looked sadly
Mt the dead men; 81 am satisfied"
every WE'LL" said Kelly, and orders
were given to exchange the cattle.
".sA,t a N"rANLE FIGHT
For n Congressional Nomination Iu n
='.-r PcnnSylranin District.
,l.bo.1-