St. Landry democrat., 1882-11-11
Duel to the Death.

The 1nyo Independent tells of singular and
| bloody shooting affair which occurred recently
| between Gordon Ellis and Pat shea nt Rem
| netts Ranch. Lincoln County, Ney out to-
| ward C"ltr RADIO. \ short time before th,. fight
| Ellis snil some boraX locations to the Coleman
| hoFaX Company, receiving 5000 therefor On
| the day before his last he got into "A dispute
| with Il Mexican with whom he was gambling
| He notified the Mexican that he would then
and there shoot him. but only through the leg
as il warning what would happen if he tbe
MeNican) did not conduct himself in a proper
manner. Thereupon he did shoot the Mexican
through the leg, and things went smoothly uu-
| til the following day
Ellis then had some difficulty with Shea with
whom he was gambling, and told Shea that
he meant to shoot him through the leg, as
he had the Mexican the preceding day, if
Shea did not mend his ways. Shea dared
him to shoot an unarmed man, as he then was
Ellis blzed away at Shcas leg, sending a ball
through it below the knee Shea began abuS-
ing Ellis whereupOn, after due notice, Ellis
perforated Sheas other leg. During the shoot
ing some men present had started to their
camp, a short distance away. to get their Hem
ry rifles, whether merely to protect their own
legs or with view of interfering in behalf Of
the wounded man, can only be surmispd
Ellis. and with drawn guns compelled him to
go back. Coming up to where Shea was the
latter, applying a foul epithet to one of the
men with the rifles added: "You cowardly
scoundrel, you want to shoot an unarmed
man, too do your At this the man addressed
replied: If you think am Il coward come
out here, you cursed fool" concluding his
remark by throwing his gun down on the
ground near Shea and brandishng his fists
shea, though with pistol shot through each
leg, advanced in threatening manner toward
the man. but got no further than the rifle
which he Immediately snatchcd up.
Up to this point Ellis had remained sitting
on MS horse, apparently disnterested specta-
tor' put when he saw Shea pick up the gun he
instantly slid Off his horse on the side
furthest from Shea. The latter then cried to
Ellis Now, if you want to shoot at my legs
any more, step out from behind that horse
and blaze away" Ellis held his position be-
hind the horse. Shea told him that he did not
want to shoot the horse, but that if he did not
come out at once, and ''come a shOotin'' he
would drop the horse so that he could shoot
the man. Ellis saw there was no help for it,
and, lodging under his horses head, "came
shootn' sure enough, his first shot striking
Shea (already twice wounded) in the groin and
glancin2 upward. Shea, however, remained
standing long enough to fire two shots at Ellis,
the first with trt1ing effect, but the second
knocking him in death throes to the ground,
Shea falling at the same instant Recovering.
shea rose to sitting posture and called to the
mon who had in the meantime rushed in to
"Stand out of the way till give the scoundrel
another shot" The dying man hearing the re-
mark, whispered: Don't let him shoot: I've
got enough" Shea was assured there was no
need of another shot, and lay down satisfied.
Ellis almost Immediately breathed his last. De-
ceased had 500 on his person, which was used
to defray burial expenses. The Independent
does not say whether Shea survived or not.