The state herald., 1889-11-22
DUEL IN THE DARK.
A Blood-CurdlIns Story Of Early
Nevada Life,


didn't know 1t. The docket only show
cd that Harry Hill was to be tried fot
passing counterfeit dollars, and made
no allusion TO tho fact that he had been
engaged In ono Of tho most sensational
duels ever fought in Nevada, said o
recent issue Of the Chicago Times.
Neither did 1t hint that Hill wns q
Virginia democrat, md had fought In
the union army during the three last
years OF the war, going in us drum
iucr boy ut the ugc OF II. and conclud-
Ing with participating In the battle al
Appamattox that forced Lees surren.
der.
'.Do l know George HIP" said nr
old Novadan. .Woll, l should say
did. Harry hc calls himself now, but
his full name is George Henry Hill.
knew him in the army when he was
only boy, and he was better soldier
than he has turned out man, I'm
sorry to say.
"He was IA or 10 years old when he
joined the Sixth corps us drummer,
ind, after three months OF tattoo and
rcveille, he shouldered n musket and
did ms much fighting MS my veteran In
the ranks. He was virg!nian, too,
and his father was n planter, but he
never explained how he came to be
wearing the blue Instead Of tho gray.
I'VE were in camp at Appoma ttoS
whom Lincoln was assissinated, and ]
remember how hard 1t was to lSoep
Hill md some more OF the hot-bloods
from starting tho war afresh on nc.
count OF the murder.
when we were mustered out Hill
came west, and have seen more OF
less OF hiri as miner and gambler over
Nevada way ever since.
do l know the circumstance OF hi.
killing Dick Guibcrson? Well, rather,
and about his letting the light out oil
Three-Card Smith. too. Hill lc,
Smith out in Ellso in 1870. Ton
Smith was big bully. notorious fol
being a monte sharp and bad man.
He had some mining trouble up Tus.
carora way, and got the worst OF it,
for which he blamed Ed Sykes, the
rhcriif. Smith abused Sykes, and Hill
said he thought Sykes was pretty
nice man. That was enough for Smith,
and he declared war on Hill.
"Hill warned him TO keep away, but
Smith hit him, and when they clinched
Smith had him by the gun-hand.
While they were wrestling Hill gave
him another warning, but Smith swor,
he'd kill him and commenced breaking
his back over an icc-box. Hill wa.
pretty timber, and in tho wigglc he
shot twice. One shot was wasted. but
the other plugged Smith in the
stomach and he died next day. Hill
was acquitted on trial. aud three year.
later he had his big fight witt
Guibcrson up In Eureka.
'Did you know Guiberson-'L Laugh
ing Dick they used 10 call him? ii,
was about rs well known hero as he
was over on the sagc brush. lie wa.
II great big. handsome fellow, usually
good -natured aud well-nxcd. bu
about the time he ran across Hill h,
got broke In San Francisco and hi.
temper wasn't OF the best lie tried Il
borrow $50 OF Hill and couldn't Their
he got $40 from Hills partner. inar
who was tangled up In tho sale OF that
Tildcn electoral vote In Louisiant
twelve years ago. lie lost this money
IN two bets at faro. and aftcrwart
told the man ho borrowed IL from tina
he only took IL 10 save him from Civ
ing II TO Hill.
This caused another unpleasant
ness, and Guiberson bothered Hill ,
good deal. One night Andy Stinsor
raised row at the faro table over tn,
loss OF n 81 sleeper. and when II viii
left out Guibcrson accused Hill q
gathering 1t in The lie passed. bu
Hill was shy OF trouble and left tn,
table. Later on they took drink to
gcthcr Mt Guibcrson's invitation. an
Dick went to bed.
"Some cowboy that wanted 10 MAKE
trouble gave him six-shootcr ant
woke him up about 5;30 o'clock In III,
morning TO tell him that Hill was II
the Empire saloon talking about him
"Guiberson camo down wild ant
found Hill Mt the end OF the bar taking
a drink. Dick stood up ut the other
end and called for drink. Hill said
something about sharing liquor. and
that was the signal.
".You have asharc OF this. he ycllct
as ho whipped out his 40 and throw 4
Into position.
'liill Of course hunted his gun righ,
AWAY. but his big ovcrcoat lit was III,
middle OF the wIntor-mado him I
little slow. and Dick got In his frs
crack. Ills bullet nailed Hin In III,
right leg and hc dropped llko shot.
Every lamp In tho room went out with
the explosion md every man won. ou
doors but Dick and Hill.
There they were In pltchcy dark
ness, cnch with gun In his hand nnt
murder Ia his heart. Guibcrson lot e
another shot or two. and Hill fired fv,
or six cartridges In the direction h
supposed Dick TO he. 1t was too darl
to SEQ. and Dick was too full 10 coun
tho pops out OF Hills gun.
"liill couldn't move because III,
bone OF his leg had been shattered b,
the bullet. ile had his ncrvc with hin
though. mud when ho heard Dick NOV
Ing townrd him ho held one shot bacl
for suro thing. Dick thought his gur
wns empty and walked over 10 inisi
him. lIo got glimmcr OF light ant
had Just discovered Hill was alive when
| f,oorpe let him hnyo IL Hin hnt