McCook weekly tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 188?-1886, 1884-10-02
A DUEL AT DINNER.
Thrilling Episode of the Early Colorado and
Netr MericO Ddus.

Netc MericO DAYS.
In the early days of the Pixies Peak
excitement the new Eldorado was the
shore to which was waited On its rest
less tide all of the reckless and adven-
turous spirits of the south and east.
Gamblers, Adventures and men of all
kinds for whom society had no partic-
ular use came here in droves. Among
this class was a man named Jack AL
len. Jack kept a notorious saloon at
the foot of Santa Fe avenue, which is
still within the recollection of the
earliest inhabitants. Soon the tide of
emigration poured in, and Allen, with
the instinct of his class, finding that
laws were beginning to be enforced and
his ill-gotten gains proportionately les
sened, pulled up stakes" and sought
a new base of operations farther on the
frontier. The place he selected was a
point on the old Santa Fe trail, some
twelve miles south of Ration, N. NJ,
where he took up lanG and established
a ranch, which became at once the
stage station and general resort of cat
tie thieves and desperate characters
generally. Some time afterwards,
about sixteen years ago, Allen died,
whether with his boots on" is not
known, but certain it is that one Jack
Stockton, notorious horse-thief and
bad man generally, who originally
came from Texas, took posses
sion, and the place became widely
known thereafter as Stockton's ranch.
At that time the trade of cattle stealing
was not attended with as much danger
as at present, and Stockton's soon be-
came the headquarters of as desperate
gang as ever cursed the western
frontier, and Stockton, by common con-
sent, became the leader and chief.
Shortly after coming in possession,
with taste that can hardly be account
ed for in view of his surroundings and
associates, Stockton built new house
which was marvel of elegance, and
was not equaled at that time by any
thing in Colorado or New Mexico. 1t
was two stories in height, built of stone
with veranda running entirely around
it, both on the first and second floors.
1t was located in a grove of cotton
woods, and was considered marvelously
handsome at the time. The character
of its owner and its frequenters, how
ever, did not change, murderers,. out
laws and thieves of every kind found in
it safe refuge from terrors of an out
ragged law. Among its regular guests
was notorious character whose real
name was not known, but who was al
WAYS addressed as Chunk" Chunk
was one of Stockton'S most expert cat
tie thieves, and when drinking was
cruel and dangerous. One day, having
imbibed pretty freely, he started out
on the trail, bent on mischief. Arriv-
ING at Trinidad he gave vent to his
murderous instincts by riding his horse
directly into crowded saloon and
shooting right and left as he went.
The terrified men present fell back from
the monster as he advanced, but not
till two of them were shot dead and sew
eral others wounded. performing
this feat Chunk turned his horse and
rode out without being molested, the
overawed people getting hastily out of
range of his shots. A deputy sheriff
with posse soon started after the MUIR
derer, and pursed him as far as Stock
toms but upon arriving there were in
formed that he had not been there and
were compelled to return without the
miscreant. Just at this time a man
named Allison, also from Texas, who
was the owner of considerable cattle in
the neighborhood, whose character
was fairly good in the community, but
who was known to be dead shot and
a dangerous antagonist, came into
town from his ranch. Upon being in
formed of what had happened he said:
III get him." and refusing all offers
of assistance started on the road south
on leisurely trot. Travelling all night
he reached Stockton's the next day just
before dinner. Putting up his horse,
he carefully scrutinized the premises,
but without discovering any signs of
Chunk. Soon the dinner hour arrived.
and. seating himself, Allison shortly
saw his man enter from side door,
revolver in hand. Upon espying Alli-
son, whom he knew, his suspicious
were at once aroused, and from that
moment the men never took their eyes
from each other. The only vacant seat
was bv the side of Allison, and Chunk
took this, placing his revolver in his
Ian. Then followed scene that was
peculiar as it was thrillingly interest
ING. Each while pretending to be alb
sorbed in the meal watched each other
as a cat would watch a mouse, and
watch a mouse, and several times
Chunk made feint by dropping his
knife, meaning, while stopping to seize
his revolver, and shoot Allison. The
latter, however, suspecting his purpose,
watched him so closely that he could
not find an opportunity to carry it out
Finally he repeated the ruse and some
thing in his eye convinced Allison that
no time was to be lost, so he quickly
raised his revolver and fired through