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

From the Denver Republican.
John Kelly, one of the participants in the
famous "cow boy duel" arrived here yesterday.
He Is o 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
hfe he married a wel-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 ana
wide by his skill in shooting and was gen.
orally avoided 10y men DESTROYS Of killing some
one for the sax" of notOriety. His herd grew
rapidly until about four months ago when he
found his brand on 5000 head of cattle worth
nearly S100.0c0. lie determined to sell $500
head, and gathering up 1.500 head more, he
started to drive To Denver. distance of nearly
/ 800 miles. His outfit consisted of thirty-twO
cowboys, and Frank took command of the ex-
petition. The trip was q very long and severe
one, but by using great care the losses were
small. The party started May 3d. and made a
slow march across the burning plains and
trackless wastes of Arizona and New Mexico
until Sept. s found them fifty miles north of
Trinidad and an equal distance east Of Cucharas
The Kelly outfit vent into camp for a day near
the camp of George Howard q large cattle
grower. The latter had herd OF 5000 cattle,
and commanded twenty weight cowboys. The
two herds became mixed up while travelling
close together. and Howard made claim for
cattle which Kelly considered unjust. and re-
fused 1t. 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 a
manner which indicated that they meant bust
ness
Kelly saw the danger. He knew if a fight
should occur between such deadly marksmen
there would hardly be 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 a plan to avoid blo0dshed
and preached it to Howard. who agreed tOit 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 each side.
and volunteers were numerous. Kelly selected
six men who had been with him n long time, and
been tried and proved in many desperate sit
uation. 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 camps and cooliy made
preparations for the feast of DEATH They
groomed their horses, oiled and cleaned their re-
vOlvers. and, putting their saddles onwith care
rode out to the fight. kid Franks " men were
armed with Winchester rifles IS and A caliber
long barreled. 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 we'll equipped.
The opposing duelists were drawn up in line
facing each other at 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 huge. glittering 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, 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 5rOOded a death-like silence
while all the swelling. rolling, silent
plain sh0ne the gold of the bright September
SUM- 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 shiver of life along both lines but it
was not shiver of fear. Each man Strengthened
himself, 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 word twelve horses
bounded forward and twelve pistol shots rang
out Three of Towards men threw up their
hands andfe from their horses, while only one
Of Kelly men fell. Kelly men. not needing their
coihraGes death. speu straight toward TIE 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
pistolin 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 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"
"No," replied Howard as he looked sadly at
the dead men: Il am satisfied"
''Very WELL" said Kelly, and orders were
given to 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 sun-burned. manly looking
young fellow, and told the story in a matter-Of-
fact way which would hardly attract attention
N fpHe Anti nf