The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1888-02-11

When the newl y-wedded pair saw
the horsemen approach they recognized
the sitsation at a glance. Clanton,
though as brave as NDy man, knew that
it was hopeless to JON combat with
seven or eight men practced in the
use of firearms but, being accustomed
to danger, he knew how to act. He
grasped his trembling bride, rushed
from the cabin where they were resting
and made his way to the nearest mlne
tunnel. The miners were just chang
ing shift, and were surprised at the
haste of the visitors. Clanton told the
miners his story as sincerely and elo-
quently as he could. The miners were
all Irishmen, and Irishmen love lovers.
They became partisans of the fugitives
without thought or consideration. Clan
ton entrusted his bride to one of the
miners, who took her into the bowels
of the. earth, away from all danger.
Soon the Earps arrived and demanded
the fugitives. The miners answered
with more spirit than pollteness.
The Esrps invited a parley, which
the miners granted. The Earps said
that Clanton sought to dishonor their
sister because of hatred for them. Clan
ton, who stood in the tunnel, within
easy communication, sent back word
that the lady they sought to dishonor
and reproach was his wife. The Earps
tried diplomacy, which failed, and
finally they announced their determina-
ton to storm the mine if the fugitives
were not surrended. In those days an
armory was necessary department of
every well-regulated mine, and the mine
in which Clanton and his bride sought
refuge was no exception. The miners
presented arms and announced their
readiness to receive an attack. The
Earps tainted them with sheltering
a coward, who had 20 seek the bowels
of the earth like a squirrel, to evade
just punishment. Clanton sent back
word that he was ready to meet any of
the carp party in single combat. The
Earps held conference, and Julian,
the youngest and bravest of the tribe,
volunteered to fight Clanton. 1t did
not take long to arrange the prelimina-
ries. The carp party were required by
the miners to move off about quarter
of mile, and the miners in turn obi
gated themselves to remain in the tool
house, from which the tunnel cut into
the hill.
When all was ready Clanton emerged
from the tunnel, pistol in hand. Julian
carp was awaiting behind an ore pile
hundred yards away. The two men
approached each other with pistols ele-
vated. When they were within twenty
PAGES carp fired and missed. Before
the report OF his shot had ceased echo
ing Clanton fired and lodged his bullet
in the heart of his enemy. Julian carp
fell dead. Clanton retired to the tun-
mel, and forty miners, fully armed,
turned out and served notice on tine
carp party that Clanton had proved
his bravery and sincerity and they were
ready to defend him. The Earps buried
their dead, the good DR.. Hoge officia-
ting at the funeral. Then the miners
held meeting-nothing can be for
mally done in mining camp without
meeting-passing resolutions sustaining
Clanton and ordering the carp party to
move out.
The Earps, understanding the miners
and the characteristics of the people
they were dealing with retired. When
they were out of sight, Clanton and his
wife came out of the mine, and took
their departure in the direction of Rico.
The Earps, though making a promise
that they would not return, merely
made circuit, and rode around San
Miguel, striking the Rico road ten miles
from the former place. They found
fresh horse tracks on the road, and
concluded that those they were in pur
suit OF were in front of them. They
followed on with haste, and overlook
Clanton and his wife at Rico. The
Earps reached town while Canton and
his wife were at supper. Whey they
discovered them they fired volley
through the window of the hotel. One
bullet struck the bride, and the husband
escaped. He grasped his wife in his
arms, rushed to the back yard, and
from there to the corral, where his
horses wer quartered. He mounted
the first saddled horse he met, and,
with his wife bleeding and insensible in
his arms, rode into the night. 1t was
in October, and already cold in that
latitude and altitude. He rode all night,
tenderly caring for the precious burden
in his arms, and at sunrise next morn
ing she died.
Two years later Ike Clanton and
Curley Bill, a cousin OF the karps, met
accidentally in gambling room at
Socorro, N. NJ. Two shots were fired
simultaneously, and ten minutes alter
ward Curley Bill was corpse. Clanton
was uninjured. About year and a
half ago Clanton went to Phenx, Ari-
zona. There he met Virgil and Wyatt
carp. The moment the old enemies
mics saw each other they began to
shoot. Clanton was killed, and Wyatt
carp was so badly wounded that he is
no longer numbered among the desper-
ADDE'S of the West.
PEACE.