The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1882-12-22
A TWHLVE.MAN DUEL.
Thrilling Incident of Life ON the Plains.
From the Denver Republican,

/
"Kid Frank" After leading an adven-
! turous life he married a well-to-do MeXi-
can woman, and by her secured a 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 gener-
| aily avoided by men DESTROYS of killing
some one for the sake of notoriety. His
herd grew rapidly until the spring Of
1882. when he found his brand on 5000
head of cattle, worth nearly 100000.
! He determined to sell $500 head and
gathering up 1000 head more he start
| ed to drive to Denver, distance of
nearly 100 miles His outfit consisted
of thirty-tw cowboys, and Frank took
command of the expedition. The trip
was "A very long and severe one, but by
using great care the losses were small.
| The party started late In the spring,
and made slow march across the burn
ing plains and trackless wastes OF Ari-
IONA and New Mexico. The opening of
autumn 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-grower. The
latter had herd of 1000 cattle and
commanded twenty-eight cowboys. The
two herds became mixed up while trav-
cling close together, and Howard made
q claim for cattle which Kelly consider
ed 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 to handle
their weapons in manner which lndl-
Gated that they meant business
Kelly saw the danger. He knew if
fight should occur between such deadly
marksmen there would hardly be a man
left to tell the the tale, and in addition
to the loss of human life the huge herd
of cattle would be scattered and all
hands ruined. Just as the clouds were
about to burst he conceived plan to
avoid bloodshed, and preached it to
Howard, who agreed to it. The plan was
as follows Each was to select six cow
bows, the best shots in their outfit, and
placing them in line fifty yards distant
on horseback, to give the word Fire"
and let them settle the dispute. This
| nONtl vi otbJililS ~ tliitiChSC
was hailed with delight by the men on
each side, and volunteers were numer-
Gus.
Kelly selected six men who had been
with him a long time, and being tried
and proved in many a desperate situa-
ton. Howard selected six of his best
men. There was no time lost III prepar-
ing for the duel, which was to be the
greatest affair of the kind ever known.
The men of the opposing side retired to
their camps and coolly made prepare
tion for the feast of death. They groom
ed their horses, oiled and cleaned their
revolvers, and, putting their saddles on
with care, rode out to the fight. kid
! Franks" men were armed with Win
chester rifles, 80 and 44-caliber, long
! barreled, and Towards six carried
Colts improved. Each man knew his
weapon and his horse, and all were fully
aware of the fact that the men standing
so grimly in front of them were equally
well equipped.
The opposing duelists were 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 yards
apart stood like statutes two lines of
men horse and rider almost one every
duelist grasping huge, glittering re-
volver in each hand, with the reins in
his teeth or hanging loosely, 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 bullets were the friends ot both
! parties, mounted on their horses, watch
ing the fight and to see that no advant-
age should be taken. At either side
was the chief, who had sent these men
out to die. Over all brooded death
! like silence, while on the swelling, roll
ing, silent plain shone the gold of the
bright September sun. The man who
was detailed to give the word which was
destined to create whirlwind of death
started forward. At the first move
there was a shiver of life along both
! lines, but it was not shiver of fear.
Each man straighted himself, grasped
his pistols the firmer, and singled out
his opponent. The umpire lifted his
hands, 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 their hands and
fell from their horses, while only one of
Kelly's men fell. Kelly's men, not
needing their comrades death, sped
straight towards the three men in front
OF them The latter dropped their pis-
tolls 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 flew, and bravely 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 Mt the dead men; l am satisfied"
"Nery we'll " said Kelly ond orders