The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1882-11-10
Duel to the Death.

The 1nyo Independent tells OF singular and
bloody shooting affair which occurred recently
between Gordon Ellis and Pat Shea, at Ben
netfs Ranch, Lincoln County, New, out to-
ward Colorado. short time before the fight
Ellis sold some borax locations to the Coleman
Borax Company, receiving S., 900 therefor. On
the day before his last he got into q dispute
with Mexican with whom he was gambling.
He notified the Mexican that he would then
and there shoot him, but only through the leg.
as warning what would happen If he (the
Hexican) did Tot conduct himself in a proper
manner. ThereupOn he did shoot the Mexican
through the leg, and things went smoothly I'M
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, II
Shea did not mend his ways. Shea dared
him to shoot an unarmed man. as he then was.
Ellis blazed awav at Sheas leg, sending ball
through it below the knee. Shea began abus-
ing Ellis, whereupon, after due notice, Ellis
perforated Shea's other leg. During the shoot
ing some men present had started to their
camp, a short distance away, to get their Hem
~ rifles, whether merely to protect their own
legs or with view of interfering i'm behalf of
the wounded man, can only be surmised.
While returning with their rifles they met
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 1 am a coward, come
out here. you cursed fool" concluding his
remark by throwing his gun down on the
ground near Shea and brandishing his fists.
Shea, though with pistol shot through each
leg, advanced in a 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 his horse, apparently disinterested specta-
tor; but 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 90 that he could shoot
the man. Ellis saw there was no help for il,
and, lodging under his horses head, 'came a
shootin' " sure enough, his first shot striking
Shea ALREADY twice wounded in the groin and
eHtHcir@ upWaru Sned, however, remained
standing long enough to fire two shots at Ellis,
the first with trfling 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
men who had in the meantime rushed in to
"Stand out of the way till give the sc1unlrel
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.
Fills almost Immediately breathed his last. De-
ceased had 800 on his person, which was used
to dcfray burial expenses. The Independent
does not say whether shea survived or not.