The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-12-29
A COWBOY EPISODE.
Fatal Fighting at Arms Length with Forty
Five Calibre Reviewers.

Las Vegas Gazette.
Sam Thompson, of Liberty has brought iu--
the hrst news of fatal shooting ARRAY at Mon
truelto flaZa ranch, New Mexico, last Saturday
evening. Inc trouble occurred at wedding
dance. There is pool camp at that point and
all the boys were In attendance at the weddings
festivities. The daughter of Anastasia MARITIME
had just been welded to Francisco de Baca The
ceremony was performed about o'clock in the
evening, and dancing began Immediately after
ward. The second set was on the floor when
John Brophy and William johnson left the
house, and meetnTa outside, had somo words
about a disagreeme.s that had existed between ,
them for some time. Brophy Lad charge of the
camp. and johnson it seems, had heard that
Brephy had said thai Johnson did not go by his
right name" johnson wanted Brophy to take
back the remark. The dispute waxed pretty
warm, and a comrade named Tom Harris came
out and tried to make peace.
Finally, the disputants agreed TO leave the
question to Harris and Charles Thompson to
settle. Harris went into the house to GET Thomp-
son. and while he was gone the dispute grew
warmer, and both men pulled their revolvers .
AS Harris came out Brophy and Johnson were
facing each other but few feet apart Harris
grabbed both pistols, turned the muzzles down,
and stood between the two angry men for
nearly half an hour, or until his hands became
so benumbed he could stand it no longer In
vain he begged the men to put up their weapons.
But his efforts were futile. Johnson demanded.
Let us loose and let us settle it AT last Har-
rlS pushed the muzZles of the revolvers down as :
far as he could and jumped back. Instantly two
reports rang ont in the night air. Brophy shot
took effect in Johnsons chest about two inches
below the collar bone, passed through the body,
and came out below the right shoulder blade.
Johnsons first shot hit Brophy's watch. and did,
no further damage than to smash that time
keeper. Brophy then started to run. Johnson
fired the second time. the bali entering the small
of Brophy's back and dropping down where a
probe could not reach it.
Brophy fell soon as Johnson's second shot
took effect, but Johnson eoolly walked into the
house, put on his overcoat and started of.
Brophy was carried into the house. and Johnson
was not found until nearly an hour afterward.
He had walked down TO the corral in order to .
get his horse, and had tainted from loss of blood
He was carried back to the house. A doctor was
summoned aud examined the wounds. AS they
were made with forty-6ve cabre weapons, scarce
ly more than arms length away. the woun DIS, and
especially that of Johnson, CHASTITY and
terrible. The physician said johnson was liable
to die at any moment and that Brophy could
not live to exceed ten days
Both the wounded men are Texans and we'll
known in the Territory All their acquaintance
speak of them as mighty good boys johnson,
as was shown by his conduct after the shooting,
was remarkably gritty fellow Both men are
single. After the wounded men had been made
comfortable as possible it found that
there were more grudges to settle, and, as ev-
erybody present felt kindly disposed toward ev-
erybody else the fears of the ladies were quiet
ed and the interrupted dance proceeded as
though nothing had happened.