The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-08-15
A DUEL AT SIX FEET.
Fight with Rifles, Growing Out of a
Trivial Quarrel at Supper.
Laramie Boomerang.

Laramie Boomerang.
Last evening a wagon entered Laramie on the
North Park road containing three men. Two of
these occupied the seat in front, and the other
lay upon bed of blankets in the hox. The
party halted at Dr. Harris's office few min
utes, and then drove out to the hospital The
man lying upon the bed was taken inside. His
/ name Is Charles Shelton, and on Friday night he
shot and instantly killed man named Keys. at
Snyders ranch. on the Little GriZzey, thirty
miles west of Teller, in North Park. His COM
paniOns We're Messrs. August Anderson and
Lawrence, and the particulars of thetragedy,
as learned from the first-named gentleman, are
, about as follows:
Charles Shelton is the proprietor OF a horse
ranch in the park, ami last Friday was at Frank
Snyder's ranch helping him put up hay. Another
, man named Keys, who was known as Billy"
and who has AN interest in the Snyder ranch,
was present, and Snyder himself, and several
others. They were eating their supper in a
small tent, near the cabin on the ranch. During
the meal Keys asked boy-a herder in the EN-
ploy OF Shelton-to go into the caOin and refill
the teapot, and the boy refused, saving he was
not in his (Keys's) employ, and he had no right
TO order him around Keys commenced to abuse
the boy, Shelton interfercd in his behalf, and a
quarrel eusued between the two men. Finally
Keys left the table, and taking the teapot, went
with the tea ana Winchester
rifle. He set the teapot down,
have notion to kill you." shelton arose from
the table, and dared him to shoot, but Keys
nnally stood the weapon up against the tent,
poured out the tea, and sat down agan. Shelton
then walked out of the tent, got another Win
chester, and, standing in the door, said: Now,
On you, il you want to shoot do i'll" Keys
jumped up from the table, saying "ali right" as
he did so, seized his rife and brought it to his
shoulder. and at that moment two reports rang
out almost together. Keys fell backward, and
Shelton dropped his gun and ran out across the
prairie holding his hands to his face Snyder
started in pursuit. while Anderson raised KeYs's
head. The wounded man gasped once or twice,
said, "Oh, my Godl' and fell back dead.
Snyder returned in few minutes with Shell
ton, who had been shot in the chin, the bali
ranging back and to the right. His wound
was bleeding badly, aud his companions thought
he, toe, would die. He could not speak, but
made signs for his coat, which was given him.
He took paper and pencil from one of the pock-
tic and wrote: sis Keys hurtl
Snyder wrote beneath the question the words,
"He ie dead"
The ball from Skeletons rifle entered Keys's
side, in front OF the left armpit, passed through
the body and caine out just above the right
shoulder. Shelton had fired his weapon with
out bringing it to his shoulder, which accounts
for the upward range of the bali.
A messenger was sent to Teller for O physi-
clan, who dressed Shelton's injuries. The ball
was found just beneath the skin, at the base Of
the neck, on the right side. On Saturday night
Messrs. Anderson and Lawrence started for La
annie with him. and by driving almost continual
ly and changing horses several times reached
the CITY last evening, DIR. Harris, who has
charge of shelton, says the chance for his reoov-
cry Is good, though such result Is by means
certain. portion of his lower jaw is shot away,
and the wound is otherwise a bad one. Shelton
Is not unknown in Laramie, having been in the
city on business quite frequently. He is a broth
er OF MIR. N. Shelton, who cashier of the I'm
ion Pacific road for several years, and who is
forms us that the cOrODer was notified at once,
and that Keys was to have been buried yester-
day He and his companion left Tor home this
morning To be present at the inquest.