The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1882-11-03
THE COWBOY DUEL.
Cattle Kings Desperate Way ofIsettiing a
Quarrel
Denver Republican.

| Denver Republican.
John Kelly, one of the participants in the
famous "cowboy duel" arrived here yester-
day. He Is remarkable man. Born in
Buffalo about thirty years ago, he came
Wes: at an early age, and became pretty
we'll known as s.KId Frank" After leading
an adventurous life he married well-to-do
Mexican woman, and by her secured fine
ranch forty miles square In old Mexico on
! the San Pedros river, close to the line. He
became known far and wide by his skill in
shooting, and was generally avoided by men
desirous Of killing someone for the sake Of
notoriety. His herd grew rapidly until about
four months ago, when he found his brand
on 5000 head Of cattle, worth nearly $780,
600. He determined to sell $500 head and
gathering up 1900 head more he started to
drive to Denver, a distance of nearly 1900
miles. His outfit consisted of thirty-two cow
boys, and Frank took command ofthe expedi-
tion. The trip was very long and severe one
but by using great care the losses were
small. The party started May 23d, and
made slow march across the burning
plains and trackless wastes of Arizona and
New Mexico, until September Sth found
them fifty miles north Of Trinidad and an
equal distance east of Cucharas. The Kelly
outfit went into camp for . day near the
camp Of George Howard, large cattle grow
er. The latter had q herd Of 5000 cattle
and commanded twenty eight cowboys. The
two herds became mixed up while travelling
together, and Howard made claim for cat
tie which Kelly considered unjust, and re-
fused it. This angered Howard, and words
followed. Kelly claimed Howard had some
of his cattle and offered to exchange, but the
latter refused, and the quarrel became very
dangerous. The cowboys on each side
gathered around and began to handle their
weapons in manner which indicated that
they meant business.
| Kelly saw the danger. He knew If fight
should occur between such deadly 10 srks-
men there would hardly be man left to tell
the tale, and In addition to the loss of hu.
man life, the huge herds of cattle would be
| scattered and all hands ruined. Just as the
| cloud of war was about to burst he con-
ceived q plan to avoid .bloodshed, and
broached It to Howard, who agreed to it.
| The plan was as follows: Each was to select
six cowboys, the best shots In their outfits,
and placing them in line fifty yards distant
on horseback. to give the word "Fire! !" and
let them settle tie dispute. This novel
method of settling a difference was hailed
with delight by the men on each side and
volunteers were numerous. Kelly selected
six men who had been with him a long time
and been tried and proved in many desper-
ate situation. Howard selected six Of his
best men. There was no time lost In pre-
pairing for the duel, which was to be the
greatest affair of the kind ever known. The
men of the opposing sides retired to their
camps and coolly made preparations for the
feast of death. They groomed their horses,
oiled and cleaned their revolvers, and put
ting their saddles on with care, rode out to
the fight. "Kid Franks" men were armed
| with Winchester revolvers, 3S and A calibre,
long barreled, and Howards six carried
Colts improved. Each man knew his weap.
OF r,.v'.-Sj> hssao- oil were fully aware
in front of them were equally well equipped.
The opposing duelists were drawn up In
line facing each other at 8 o'clock in the
afternoon. The sight was one which few
men have looked upon. Fifty yards apart
stood like statutes, two lines of men, horse
and rider almost one, every duelist grasping
a huge, glittering revolver in each hand.
with the reins In his teeth or hanging loose
ly. for these daredevil riders of the South
guide their horses with their knees, as the
scarcely more savage Indian does. Around
about, carelessly In the range Of stray bull
lets, were the friends of both parties, mount
ed on their horses, watching the fight and to
see that no advantage should be taken. AT
either side was the chief, who had sent these
men ont to Gle. Over all brooded a death.
like silence, while on the swelling, rolling
silent plain shown the gold of the bright
September sun. The man whe was detailed
TO give the word which was destined to
create whrlwind of death started forward
At the first move there was shiver of life
along both lines, but 1t was not shiver o
fear. Each man Strengthened himself
grasped his pistol the frner. and singled
out his opponent. The umpire lifted hi!
hand and suddenly on the still air came the
cry of doom, "Fire !" At the word twelve
horses bounded forward, end twelve pisto
shots rang out. Three of Howard,s mer
threw up their hands and fell from theil
horse while only one of Kelly's men fell
Kelly's men, not needing their comrade.
death, sped straight toward the three men ir
front of them. The latter dropped theil
pistols In their bride hands and pulled thell
horses up, while their five enemies cams
riding swiftly on, pouring a hail of bullets
in from pistol in every hand. The How
ard men saw the odds. They were toe
great, and, turning swiftly they ran, trrnine
in their saddles as they few, and bravely re
turning the fire. In three brief minutes
the duel was fought and won, and four dead
men lay upon the ground. Frank rode W
to Howard aud said: "Now you and l viii
settle with each other"
"No," replied Howard, as he locked sadly
ut the dead men, 81 am satisfied"
"very well,n' said Kelly, and orders were
given to exchange cattle.
| Very strangely no news Of the fight wa
received until yesterday; but this perhaps
was due to the fact that no towns were passed
by the Kelly outfit. Only he himself ha
arrived, his herd not being due for two
weeks yet. Kelly himself Is sunburned
manly looking fellow and told the story In ,
matter. of-fact way which would hardly at
tract attention.