Delta chief., 1884-09-24
A DUEL AT DINNER.
Rocky Mountain News.

Gus EDlTltS OI lLe ODutu uuI lStst. oUIl-
blers, adyenturers and men of all kinds
for whom society had no particular use,
came here in droves. Among this class
was man named Jack Allen. Jack
kept notorious saloon at the foot of
Santa Fe avenue. which is still within
the recollection of the earliest inhab-
tants. Soon the tide of emigration
poured in and Allen, with the instincts
OF his class, finding that laws were be-
ginning to be enforced and his ill-got-
ten gains proportionately lessened,
..pulled up stakes and sought new
base of operations farther on the 'front.'
ier The place he selected was point
on the old Santa Fe trail, some twelve
miles south of Ration, n. NJ. where he
took up land and established a ranch,
which became at snce the stage station
aud general resort for cattle thieves and
desperate characters generally. Some
time aftcrward. about sixteen years ago.
Allen died, whethcr.swith 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 possession. and
the place became widely known there
after as Stockton ranch. At that time
the trade of cattle stealing was not at
tended with as much danger as at pres
ent, and Stockion's soon became the
headquarters of us desperate n gang as
ever cursed the western frontier, and
Stockton. by common consent, became
the leader and chief. Shortly after
coming in possession, with taste that
can hardly be accounted for in view OF
his surroundings and associates, Stock
ton built new house which was mar
vel of elegance. and was not equaled at
that time by anything in Colorado or
New Mexico. II WAS two stories in
height, built OF stone and with a veran-
dab running entirely around II. both on
the first and second floors. Ii was To-
ca&,ed in grove Of cottonwoods. and
was considered marvclously handsome
at the time. The character of its own
er and frcquentcrs, however, did not
change, and murdcr,rs, outlaws and
thieves Of every kind found in il safe
refuge from the tcrrors Of an outraged
law. Among its regular guests was
notorious character whose real name
was not known. but who was always
addressed as Chunk" Chunk was
one of Stockton's most expert cattle
thieves. and when drinking was cruel
and dangerous. One day, having i'm
bibed pretty freely, he started out on the
trail. bent on mischief. Arriving
at Trinidad he gave vent TO his
murderous instincts by riding his horse
directly into q crowded saloon and
shooting right and left rs he went.
Tho terrified men present fell back
from the monster as he advanced, but
not till two Of them We're shot dead
and several others wounded. After
performing this feat Chunk turned his
horse and rode out without being
molesied. the overawed people getting
hastily out Of rang. Of his shots.
A deputy sheriff with posse soon
started after the murderer, aud pursu-
cd him as far as Stockton's, but upon
arriving there were informed that he
had not been there aud were compelled
to return withou. the miscrcant. Just
nt this iimc man named Allison, also
from Texas. who was the owner of con-
siderable cattle in the ncighborhood.
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 informed Of what had happened
he said "rll get him" and refusing
all offers of assistance started on the
road south on n lcisurely trot. Travel
ing all night he reached Stockton's the
next day just before dinner. Putting
bnp his horse he carefully scru,inizcd
the premises but without discovering
any signs Of Chunk. Soon the dinner
hour arrived and seating himself. ALI
son shortly saw his man enter from n
side door. revolver IN hand. Upon
Cspying Allison, whom he knew, his
were Mt once aroused and
from that moment the men never took
their eyes from each other. The only
vacant seat was by the side of Allison.
and Chunk took this, placing his rcvol-
vel in his lap. Then followed scene
that vas peculiar rs II was thrillingly
interesting. Each while pretending to
be absorbed in the meal watched the
other ~ cat would mouse, and sew
cral times Chunk made feint by drop
ping his knife, meaning while STOPPING
to seize his revolver. and shoot Allison.
Tho latter, however, suspecting his
purpose. watched him so closely that
no could not find m opportunity to
carry II out. Finally he repeated the
ruse and something in his eye convlnc-
ed Allison that no time was TO be lost,
so he quickly raised his revolver and
fired through tho top Of Chunks head
just rs the latter discharged his weap-
on under tho table ut his enemy.
Chunk fell back in his chair dead.
while blood gushed in torrents around
him. The ball which he had fired just