Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-05-13
AMUNG HE KILLERS
Some of the Charms of Existence
 in New Mexico.
Blood-Curdling "Reminiscences of . Cattle man-Clay Anison's Encounter with Mace Eowman-A Square Deal
 That Pleased Every Body.

That Pleased Every Body.
 "They do things queer in the Vest" said cattleman, as he sat picking his teeth in the lobby of the Midland to Kan sas City Times reporter. "I remember some four years ago, when Pete Burlison, then sheriff of Colfax County, N. M., killed Driscon at Springer. Driscon was range boss of the Triangle-lot Company's ranch, which is owned principally by Sen- ator Dorsey, and was enjoying himself in Springer in the hilarious but unhealthful way peculiarly in vogue with cow punch ers Finally he concluded that little game of draw was what he needed most, and he and Burlison sat down in saloon in the harmless contest called freeze-out, where the risk assumed by each was some fifty dollars. Most men didn't like to play with Drlscou when he was drinking, for, though one of the most generous, honest and friendly men that ever left Texas, he carried as restless a six-shooter as up to date had borne the name of Colt; but Pete allowed it would be all right, so down they sat. Well, sir, they hadn't played five minutes when each man jumped and pulled his gun, but Pete's got to going first, and Driscoll dropped. Of course, we all volun- tarily felt regret at losing good citizen like Driscoll, but nobody could blame Pete. Driscoll didn't die for day or two, an as soon as he could talk, he sent for some of the best men in town and told lem Pete was all right and to let him gn. This was about the way we figured it ourselves, so we did as Driscoll said. It was deplor- able accident, though
 1T remember another time," continued the same historian, ''when Clay Allison was charging around Lower Colorado. Clay was all right when he was sober, but the minute he had drink in you couldn't call Clay real good society for anybody. On the occasion l was thinkin' about the spring roundup was workin' the Las Animas Val ley; and, bein' near town, a lot of the boys had gone down to West Las Animas to get drunk and loosen the boards in the dance-hall floor. Well, Clay came 'round about nine o'clock in the evening and came gun on his forefnger like it was pin wheel.
 y "'My names Clay Allison an want every son-of-a-gun to take of his hat here,' he shouted, only Clay didn't say 'gun,' but something worse, disremember just what now.
 Most of us pulled oil our hats, and, prompted by generous public sentiment, started to laugh it of as joke, but up gets man, sorter pale but grum, and allowed that all the Allisons that ever came from
  oil. We all stopped laughing and stood back one to quit this world of vain regrets right thar. But Allison, after lookin' him over a second, says:
 "'Well, take drink with your hat on, them
 "We all got drink, and Allison says to the other:
 "'Bowman, this yere small State ain't big enough for two such men as you an me our trails are always crossin' an one of us oughter moved good while back. Now, I'll tell you how we'll fix it. We'u put our guns on the bar and get over to the other side of the room. One of the boys will give the word and the man who gets his gun first is goin' to play in big luck, an the other won't be near so numeXpus around this dance hall tomorrow raisin' disputes an makin 6 bad blood among good, quiet peo- pie.
 s'Bowman said this figured out all right as a proposition and he'd go him.
 "'But' he continued, looking at Allison sharp, don't come any derringer coat pocket racket after get my gun on the bar. My mate here will make it come high if you do.' and he indicated disgruntled-looking cow boy who stood by, evidently in to see fair fight.
 "'Be keerful of the piano when you shoot, boys,' said the dance-hall man, as he va cated the bar, in deference to reasonable fear of stray bullets.
 'sThe guns were put on the bar and the duelists got over to the other side of the room and waited for the word.
 "'Gov yelled some one, and with the word Bowman made jump like cat and had both pistols Aefore Allison got fairly start ed.
 "'How do you like the color of ita' he grit ted, as he turned the muzzle on the helpless Allison and his for refngers twitched and quivered in murderous anticipation on the triggers.
 "'You're the best man, Bowman,' said Allison, as he held up both hands.
 "'Give me gun, some one,' yelled one of the girls in an ecstacy of rage and ter TOT. Give me gun. Lwon't stand an' see Clay Allison shot down like this,' and she tried to get pistol from the belt of 8 by stander.
 "'It is all right, Jim,' he said, as he held her back; this is 8 fair fight. Clay made the game himself, and he mustn't kick if he finds the ante leetle high
 "If didn't know was the best man, said Bowman, and his eyes looked bad, 'Pd drill you right now while it's my way, but don't have to kill a man with his woman looking on. So we'll quit right here, but don't come bulgin' 'round me no more.'
 "It's square deal all round, every one is satisfied, an' the drinks is on the house, said the barkeep as he came back to his post.
 'sThat ended it. Mace Bowman afterward was sheriff in New Mexico an was always reckoned clean game. Allison has done lots of shootin' and had lots of fun since, and is now running his ranch at Seven Rivers in the Pecos Valley"