Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-10-18
THE COW BOY DUEL.
Rfd Franks Account Of One of the Most
Remarkable Fights On Record.
Prom, the Denver Republican.

From the Denver Republican.
John Kelly one of the participants in the
famous "cow boy duel" arrived here yesterday.
He Is a 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
Efe 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 gen.
orally avoided 10y men DESTROYS OF killing some
one for the saSe of notoriety. His herd grew
rapidly until about four months ago, when he
found his brand 5000 head of cattle worth
nearly S100OCO lie determined to sell $500
head, and gathering up 100 head more he
started to drive To Denver. distance of nearly
15O0 miles His outfit consisted of thirty-two
cowboys, and Frank took command of the ex-
petition The trip was very long and severe
one, but by using great care the losses were
small. The party started May %. and made
slow march across the burning plains and
trackless wastes of Arizona and New Mexico.
until Sept. found them fifty miles north of
Trinidad aud an equal distance east of Cucharas.
The Kelly outfit went into camp for day near
the camp of George Howard, q large cattle
grower The latter had herd OF 5000 cattle,
and commanded tweGty-cight cowboys. The
two herds became mixed up while travelling
Ciocc tO1tIHrI. anu IiONdTu Ulttlc Il CIGlIll iOE
cattle 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 lat
ter refused. and the quarrel became very
dangerous. The cowboys on each side gathered
around and began to handle their weapons in q
manner which indicated that they meant bust
ness.
Kelly saw the danger He knew If fight
should occur between such deadly marksrnen
fhnrQ hard ly hn n loft tot al tafn
and In addition TO the loss of human life the
huge herds of cattle would be scattered and all
hands ruined. Just "a the cloud of war was about
to burst he conceived q plan to avoid blOOdshed.
and preached it to Howard who agreed to it. The
plan was as follows: Each was TO select six COW
boys, 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 the dis
pute. This novel method of settling difference
was hailed with delight by the men on each side
and volunteers were numerous. Kelly selected
six men who had been with him long time and
been tried and proved in many a desperate sit
uation. Howard selected six of his best men.
There was time lost In preparing 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 re-
volvers, and, putting their saddles on with care,
rode out tothe fight. kid Franks " men We're
armed with Winchester rifles. IS and ~ caliber,
long barreied. and Towards six carried Colts
improved. Each man knew his weapon and his
horse. and ell were fully aware of the fact that
the men standing so grimly In front of them
were equally well equipped.
The opposing dueiistS were drawn up i'm line
facing each other at 3 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
dGelist grasping huge. gitteTing revolver In
each hand. with the reins in his teeth or hang
ing loosely for these daredevil riders of the
south guide their horses with their knees. as
the scarcely more savage Indian does. Around
about, careieSsly in the range of stray bullets
were the friends OF both parties mounted 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 out
to die. Over all brooded a death-like silence.
while on all the swelling. rolling. silent
plain shone the gold of the bright September
SUM- che man Who was detailed to give the
word which was destined to create whirwind
OF death started forward. At the first move
there was shiver of life along both lines but it
was rot shiver OF fear. Each man Strengthened
himself. gTasped his pistols the frmer and
singled out his opponent The umpire lifted his
hand. and suddenly on the still air came the cry
OF doom, Fire At the word twelve horses
bounded forward and twelve pistol shots rang
out Three of Towards men threw up their
hands aRd-fel from their horses while only one
Of Kelly smen fell kelly's men, not needing their
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 a hail of bullets in from
pistol in every hand The Howard men saw the
odds. They were too great and, turning
swiftly, they ran, turning in their saddles as
they few, and brayely returning the fire. In
three brief minutes the duel was fought and
won. and four dead men lay upon the ground.
Frank rode up to Howard and said: Now you
and will settle with each other"
mo" replied Howard. as he looked sadly at
the dead men: Il am satisfied"
"Very WELL" said Kelly, and orders were
given 20 exchange the cattle.
Very strangely, no news Of the fight was re-
ceived until yesterday; but this, perhaps, was
due to the fact that no towns were passed by
the Kelly outfit Only he himself has arrived
his herd not being due for two weeks yet.
Kelly himself is a sun-burned. manly looking
young fellow, and told the story in matter-of-
TACT way which would hardly attract attention.
Grave of the Author OF ss Home. Sweet