News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1882-11-02
A DUEL OF cow BOYS.
THE WAY THEY Do THOSE THINGS
OUT WEST.
Kid Franks Graphic Description of one of
the Most Remarkable Fights
Upon Record
From the Denver Republican,

From the Denver Republican,
John Kelly, one of the participants
in the famous "cow boy duel" arrived
here lately. He is a remarkable man.
Born in Buffalo about thirty years ago,
he came west at an early age, and
became pretty well known as " 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 some one 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 100000. He
determined to sell $500 head, and
gathering up 1,505 head more, he
started to drive to Denver, distance of
nearly 1900 miles. His outfit consisted
of thirty-two cowboys, and Frank took
command of the expedition. 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. 8 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 How
ard, large cattle grower. The latter
had a herd of 5000 cattle, and COM
manded twenty -elght cow boys. The
two herds became mixed up while trav-
cling close together, and Howard made
a claim for cattle which Kelly considered
urjust, 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 COW boys on each side
gathered around and began to handle
their weapons in manner which indi-
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 tale, and in addition to
the loss of human life the huge herds of
cattle would be scattered and all hands
ruined. just as the cloud of war was
about to burst he conceived plan to
avoid bloodshed, and broached it to
Howard, who agreed to it. The plan
was as follows: Each was to select six
COW boys, the best shots in their out
fits, and, placing them in line fifty
yards distant on horseback, to give the
word "Fire r. and let them settle the
dispute. This novel method of settling
difference was hailed with delight by
the men on each side, and volunteers
who had been with him a long time, and
been tried and proved in many des-
perate situation. Howard selected six
of his best men. There was no 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 camp and coolly made prepara-
tions for the feast of death. They |
groomed their horses, oiled and cleaned
their revolvers, and putting their sad
dies on with care, rode out TO the fight.
''Kid Franks" men were armed with
Winchester revolvers, 38 and A calibre,
long barreled, and Howard's six carried
Colts improved. Each man knew his
weapon and his horse, and all were full
ly aware of the fact that the men stand
ing SO grimly in front of them were
equally well equipped.
The opposing duellists 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 statues 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 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 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
death-like silence, while on all the
swelling, rolling silent plain shone the
gold of the bright September sun.
The man who was detailed to give the
word which was destined to create a
whirlwind of death started forward. At
the first move there was shiver of life
along both lines, but it was not shiver
of fear. Each man Strengthened him.
self, grasped his pistols the firmer, and
singled out his opponent. The umpire
lifted his hand, and suddenly on the
still air came the cry of doom, "Fire !"
At the wcrd twelve horses bounded for
ward, and twelve pistol shots rang out.
Three of the Howard's men threw up
their hands and fell from their horses,
while only one of Kelly's men fell.
KelIy's men not needing their comrades
death, sped straight toward 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
a hail 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 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"
"No," replied Howard, as he looked
sadly at the dead men; 81 am salts
fed"
Every we'll" said Kelly, and orders
were given to exchange the cattle.
Very strangely, no news of the fight
was received until recently; but this
perhaps, was due to the fact that no
troops were passed by the Kelly outfit.
Only he bimself has arrived, his herd
not being due for two weeks yet. Kelly
himself Is a sun-burned, manly looking |
younp fellow. and told the story in a |