The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1884-10-11
A DUEL AT DINNER.


| WV,
Neic 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 adyen-
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 man named Jack AL
len. Jack kept 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 approximately les
sened, pulled up stakes" and sought
new base of operations farther on the
frontier. The place he selected was
point on the old Santa Fe trail, some
twelve miles south of Ration, n. NJ,
where he took up lana and established
a ranch, which became at once the
stage station and general resort of cat
tie thieves and desperate characters
generally. Some time 81. afterwards,
about sixteen years ago, Allen died,
whether with his boots on is not
known, but certain tbs that one Jack
| Stockton, a 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 Stoekton's soonarbe-
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 a taste that can hardly be account
ed for in view of his surroundings and
associates, Stockton built new house
which was a 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 a veranda running entirely around
it, both on the first and second floors.
1t was located in a grove of cottop-
woods, and was considered marvelously
handsome at the time. The character
of its owner and its frequenters, how
ever, did not change, murderers, out
Avs and thieves of every kind found in
it safe refuge from terrors of an out
ragged law. Among its regular guests
was a 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 a crowded saloon and
right and left. as he went.
The terrified men present fell back from
the monster as he advanced, but not
ill two of them were shot dead and sew
eral others wounded After performing
his feat Chunk turned his horse and
rode out without being molested. thes
,verawed people getting hastilysout Of
,ange of his shots. A deputy sheriff,
With posse soon started after the muir
lerer, and pursed him as far as Stock
on's but upon arriving there werein-s
ormed that he had not been there and.
we're compelled to return without the,
niscreant Just at this time a man
FAMED Allison, also from Texas, Who
vas the owner of considerable cattle in
he neighborhOod, whose character
vas fairly good in the community, bat
Who was known to be dead shot and
dangerous antagonist, came into
own from his ranch. Upon being inrz
ormed of what had happened he said:
I'll get him." and refusing all offers
-. Il
n a leisurely trot. Travelling all night
e reached Stockton's the next day just
efore dinner. Putting up his horse,
e carefully scrutinized the premises,
ut without discovering any signs of
hunk. Soon the dinner hour arrived.
nd, seating himself, Allison shortly
aw his man enter from side door,
evolver in hand. Upon espying Ali Z
IN, whom he knew, his suspicious
ere at once aroused, and from that
the men never took their eyes
ON each other The only vacant seat.
as by the side of Allison, and Chunk
,ok this, placing his revolver in his
4p. Then followed a scene that was
ocular as it was thrillingly interest
g. Each while pretending to be alb
,rbed in the meal watched each other
a cat would watch q mouse, and
atch mouse, and several times
hunk made feint by dropping his.
nife, meaning, while stopping to seize
S revolver, and shoot Allison. The
tier, however, suspecting his purpose,
atched him so closely that he could
1t find an opportunity to carry it outsa
nally he repeated the ruse and some
ing in his eye convinced Allison that
, time was to be lost, so he quickly
ised his revolver and fired through
e top of Chunk head just as the latter
scharged his weapon under the table
his enemy. Chunk fell back in
S chair dead, while blood gushed in
rrents around him. The ball which
had fired just missed Allison. pass
2 through his coat Immediately over
} heart. The latter, not in the least
at the terrible result
,umed his dinner, after completing
lich he coolly saddled his horse and
lie rapidly to Trinidad. Upon arriv-"
, there he fold the officials that he