Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1882-11-02
A SCENE ON THE PLAINS.

Denver Republican,
John Kelly, one OF the participants
in the famous cowboy duel, arrived
here yesterday. lie is remarkable
man. Born in Buffalo about thirty
years ago, he came west at an early age,
and became pretty we'll known as kid
Frank" After leading an adventurous
life. he married . well.to.do Mexican
woman and by her secured fine rancho
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 desrous of killing some
one for the sake OF notori,y. HIS herd
grew rapidly until about four months ago
when he found his brand on 5000 head
of cattle, worth nearly 100000. lie
determined to sell 300 head, and gath
ering up | 500 head more, he started TO
drive to Denver. a distance of nearly
|, 800 miles. His outfit consisted oi
thirty two cowtoys. and Frank took
command of the expedition. The trip
was very long and severe one, but hy
using great care The Losses were small.
The party started May % and made
slow march rCrns~ the farming plains
and trackle,s waste, OF Arizona and
New Mexico. until September found
them fifty miles north ot TriE idAd. and
an equal distance east uf :'ucharas.
The Kelly outfit went into camp for a
day near the camp OF George Howard,
large cattle grower. The latter had
herd OF 1900 cattle, and commanded
twenty eight cowboys. The two herds
became mixed up while travelling close
together, and which Kelly considered
unjust, and refused 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 10 handle
their weapons in manner which Iudl-
Gated that they meant business.
Kelly saw the danger. He knew II
fight should occur between such deadly
marksmen there would hardly be
man lett to tell the tale, and in addition
to the loss OF human life huge herds Of
cattle would be scattered and all hands
be ruined. Just rs the cloud of war
was about TO burst he conceived a plan
to avoid bloodshed, and hroachpd 1t to
Howard, who agreed TO il. The plan
was az follows: Each was to select six
COW boys, the best shots in their out iits.
and placing them in line fifty yards dis.
tsnt on horseback, to give the word
Fire - and let them settle the dispute.
This novel method OF settling dltler.
ence was hailed with delight by the
men on each slde, and volunteers were
numerous. Kelly selected six men who
had been with him for a long time, and
been tried and proved IN many dies
perate situation. Howard selected SIX
al his best men. There was no time
lost in preparing for the duel, which
was to be the greatest affair Oi the kind
ever known. ihe men OF the opposing
sides retired To their camp and cooly
made preparations for the feast Of death.
They groomed their horses, oiled and
cleaned their revolyers. and putting
their saddles on with care. rode out To
the fight. Kid Frank men we're
armed with Winchester rcyoiyers. -
and - calibre, longbaTrelcd, aud How.
ards six carried Colts improved. Each
man knew his weapon aud 81, horse
and all were fully aware oi the fact that
the men standing ~ grimly IN front oi
them were equally well equipped.
The opposing dueiists we're drawn up
in line facing each other at 3 o'clock IN
the afternoon. The sight was one which
few men have looked upon. Fifty yard-
apart stood like statutes two lines OF
men, horse and rider almost one. every
duelist grAsping huge, glittering revol
yer IN each hand, with the re'ns m his
teeth or hanging loosely, for these dare
devil riders of the South guide their
horses with their knees, as the scarcely
more savage Indian does. Around
about. carelessly in the range Of the
stray bullets, where the friends OF both
parties. mounted on their horses. watch.
ing the fight. and to see that no advan.
tage should be taken. At either side
was the chief. who sent these men out
to die. Over all brooded a death like
silence, while on all the swelling. rol.
ling silent plain shone the gold OF the
bright September sun. The man who
vas detailed TO give the word which was
destined TO create a whirlwind pf death
started forward. At the fret move there
vas a shiver OF life along both lines, but
it was not shiver of fear. Each man
Strengthened himself, grasped his pis.
tolls the frmer, and singled out his op.
ponent. The umpire lifted his hand.
and suddenly on the still air came the
cry Of doom. "Fire!" Al the word
twelve horses bounded forward, and
twelve pistol shots rang. Three Of
Howard's men threw up their hands
and fell from their horses, while only
one OF Kelley's men. not needing their
comrades sped straight towards the
three men in front OF them. The latter
dropped their pistols in their bride
hands and pulled their horses up, while
their FIVE enemies came riding swiftly
on, pouring hale OF bullets in from =
pistol in every hand. The Howard men
saw the odds. They we're too great,
and, turning swiftly, they ran, turning
in their saddlee a. they few, and brave.
" returning the fire. In three brief
minutes the duel was fought and won.
and four dead lay upon the ground.
Frank rode up to Howard and said.