Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1888-03-28
A QUEER DUEL.
The Fight between Coodledodger
and Jones'

The Fight between Coodledodger
and Jones
When Sam COodledodger went 20 Jones'
creek, ostonsibly 10 visit his uncle, Judge
Coodledodgcr, he went with the impression
upon his mind that he held his life in his
hand, for Jones' creek was, and is, In West
ern Texas whore, according 10 the standard
newspaper literature, one must Sight 10
live. That Coodledodger went fully believ-
ing this, proves that he had considerable Of
courage hidden under his boiled shirt 4"
and othor toggery that goes 10 make up the
city dandy 40 much despised by tho rough
and sturdy frOntiersman. But Coodle-
dodgers visit had something OF vital inter-
est In IL 10 him, for he went 10 woo and win
Judge Coodledodger's fair ward, the rich
Miss Melissa King.
He had met Miss King In Galveston the
winter before, and had fallen in love with
her there and then for her own sweet self.
After her return 10 her Western home his
love had grown stronger and stronger from
day 10 day until IL amounted TO a passion at
the time, or shortly after, when no received
lotter from his uncle, tho Judge, informing
him that Miss King had fallen heiress TO an
immense stock Of cattle, which made her one
OF the richest ladies Of the land
Upon the receipt Of this news Coodledod-
ger could contain himself no longer In
peace. He was very poor himself in this
worlds goods, and had an appearance and
a name 70 keep up or suffer social death.
30 you sec that even II the visit was not
altogether safe 10 life and limb there was
every thing 10 gain II the goal could be won,
and falling, death would DO preferable to
life.
From this do not suppose for a moment
that eOodlododger had the remotest doubt of
success; on the contrary, he was very much
prejudiced in his own favor, which preju-
dice proved his correct opinion Of himself
and his fascinating powers.
Within two weeks Of his arrival at Jones'
creek the fair Melissa was wooed and won
To give due notice of the betrothal TO the
world, and TO celebrate the event so as 10
make ita memorable affair for generations to
come on Jones' creek, Judge Coodledoger
gave supper and dancing party, inviting
the neighborhood from far and near.
Coodledodgor, up TO the time Of the party,
had met with the lsindliest treatment from ali
around him, and had laughed heartily in talk
Ing 70 his newly-made friends about what
no expected 70 go through In the shape Of
blood and gore among them before coming
TO Jones' creek.
VI viz hAhhN VI kAt UuIbNg however,, ne
met man whom he could not pacify by his
bland manners and fluent speech. This man
was John Jones.
Jones had for a long time been an aspirant
for tho hand OF Miss King, and, coming
homo from months cattle drive and find
ing her promised 10 another, had stirred up
his wild spirit until IL ragged as madly as
the waves that rush against the rocks and
beat themselves into foam, dashed into fury
by the storm.
Sam Coodledodger and John Jones met
for the first time in the ballroom, and were
introduced 10 each other by mutual
friends. Coodledodger, true 10 his gentle
breeding, was courteous and afFable Jones,
according TO HIS nature and wounded feel
ings, In the presence of his rival, was Rruff
and surly, showing his unfriendhness both
by word and act Jones had the fame of
being tho desperate of Jones' creek How
this fame was acquired by him no one could
tell, FOE. 40 far, no had certainly not com
mittcd any Of tho atrOcious acts that give
men such regulations. Before midnight,
however,, he had succeeded In making him
self very disagreoable 10 Coodledodger in
special, and 10 nearly all the guests in gen
oral, by his blustor and swaggor, and rude
remarks in.tho presence OF all
About midnight he mot Coodledodger on
the porch, and taking him by the arm, drew
him 10 ono side and whispered In his ear:
"Now, my city dandy, want you TO leave
this range IA fast as horselcsh and steam
cars can carry you.n
"why. what do you mean, Mr. Jonesf'
asked Coodledodgcr, greatly startled
Z" Just what / say. IN you don't leave this
part Of the country between now and day
light, win horsowhip you out Of IL before
the sun sets tomorrow"
just thcn n man approached them, and
seeing who they were, addressed Jones:
Now, John Jones, don't play fool and 20
20 bullyragginR the fine gentleman from
the city. You can't get a fight out OF him,
nohow; he's too soft and tender to hit hard
or be- hit"
"Don't know IL, Bmir answered Jones.
"or wouldn't have given him tho chance
20 get away with whole hide that save
ut this moment
$50 you told him to go peacoably, did
youf'
"Thats what did, Bill" Then turning
20 Coodlcdodgor, he asked: e. Now, didn't /,
dandyr
al suppose you did, Mr.. Jones' But allow
mo 20 inform you that L will not accept your
proposition toleave now or at any time. /
will remain here and risk the consequent
cos.n Coodlododgor's voice had a percepti-
BILE culver In IL as he spoke.
At this time several other young men
came up TO where tho rivals were standing,
when Jones retorted:
swell dandy IN give you another chance.
You can either fight me with pistols at day
light or take horsewhipping little later
on.n
"Fight with pistolsi'
"Thats what said"
"But-but, Mr. Jones, consider the-the
danger" stammered Coodledodger.
danger Of WHAT"
"why, am afraid = afraid yOu-yOu
might get hurt"
"What would hurt me, dandyP'
"The pistol Pistols go on and hurt peo-
pie sometimes, accidentally"
"That's so, dandy" laughed Jones,
rather uncasily; then added, as he turned
TO walk away; " I'll give YOU two hours 10
accept the challenge 70 fight, or you can
have the horsewhipping in the morning"
The young follows burst out laughing at
the spectacle Coodlododger made. He shook
and shivercd in every limb, and when the
bully turned to walk away he olasped his
hands before him and pleadedi please,
please, Mr.. Jones'"
Just then some one touched him on the
arm, and when he turned AROUND he recog-
nized his cousin. Willie Coodledodgcr. boy
Of seventeen or eighteen years, but tall and
muscular for his age. standing beside him.
"Come with me. SAM" said Willie.
When The two were away from the crowd
Willie stopped, and, facing his cousin, no
asked: Now, Sam, can you shoot
pistolT1