The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-09-28
A DUEL WITH LASSOES.
Copyright.

Rival Mexican Lovers Settle Dispute
Over . Girl.
]. B. johnson, q Chicago travelling man,
while in Kansas City recently, told of q hor-
ribls duel he had Witnessed during his trip
through New Mexico. Mr.. johnson says he
was in the southern part of New Mexico
taking q wagon ride with his samples when
he arrived at the little village Of Sebolla.
His driver was Mexican and acted ~ in
terpreter. There was no hotel in the place,
but they succeeded in obtaining accommo-
dations at q house which was q slight re-
move from stable.
After making out q supper az best he
could Mr.. johnson sat in front of the house
enjoying q cigar. Inside he could hear the
pretty daughter of his host laughing and
ohattering. The girl was evidently the
belle Of the county and knew it. She was
about Ii years old. Early in the evening
o1 So0 IN ali the snes.puff acted by the
horsemen of that country, and, from
the elusive reception accorded BY
the Girl, he was undoubtedly favorite.
while the merriment was at its height an
other young man rode up, dressed enough
like the hrst to play the twin brother act.
Se>~
Girl, but il was plain that the first conner
looked ON the second with jealous eyes. A
few minutes later the driver informed Mr..
Johnson that there would be trouble, for
the men were rivals and the girl was thor
ouRh eoquette.
shoft time when loud talking and quarrel
ino were heard. MI. johnson went in, at.
tracted BY the noise, and saw at once that
There would be fight. The girl, pleased to
be the cause of such row, showed her
pearly teeth and her black eyes grew
brighter still a. the excitement increased.
Finally the rival lovers appeared to have
COME to some agreement, and appeal
ing to his interpreter, Mr.. johnson
foSnd that the men had determined to fight
duel with their lassoes. II was bright
moonlight night a. they rode on to the prai'
RE, There were about dozen IN the party
Mr.. johnson tried through his interpreter
Mexicans told him to mind his own bust.
ness, which he concluded to do. rapid
Qallop took the party far enough out into
the plain to allow the duelists free room te
ride at will.
"How terrible the affair would be-" Mr.
JJhnson says. 81 had not the slightest
! idea, or certainly would not have been q
| witness to it. The two men stripped to the
waist. They were bare headed. There wa
none of the formality and politeness which
mark the duels of civilized men. They
simply hated each other and desired tc
kill. The last spoken word OF each was :.
curse. Their horses were put facing each
other close together. At given signal they
| rode SLOWLY past each other, went about
| twenty yards, turned and were ready
| to fight. Lasso in hand, they slowly cir.
cled about, each keeping watchful eye or
the movements of his rival. Suddenly
| hiss was heard, and a lasso flew through thu
air from one man. An alert eye and q
| quick dodge caused it to fall short. and be-
| fore il could be recovered the other hao
| thrown his rope, but it too was carefully
evaded. This continued for several min
utes, many throws being made and avoided
The deadly loop was thrown by experts
but thew we're also lodged by men who ha.
studied the art all their lives.
/ eat last the smaller of the two men SEN
his lasso whistling through the air. say
the other throw up his arm and hand II
ward it off, but the loop settled down owe
his head and arm and IN hash 1t wa
tight, It was all done in the twinkling o
| an eve. Both horses were on the run Will,
the loop was fastened tight about the man
neck and arm. He was jerked out of tn
| saddle and then in some way his boo
caught in his stirrup and he hung scream
ing between the two horses, the lasso cut
ting into his flesh as the horses straine'
apart az il trying to tear him in two.
at vas simply awful. The victoriou
man was Yelling like demon and urging
hia horse to greater efforts. could no
stand the sight and rushed forward to Gu
the rope and free the unfortunate man, blu
before could reach him his boot gave way
and the other started his horse running owe
the prairie, dragging the mammal
body of his rival, which wa
fast being reduced to q. shapeles
mass. Round and round he circle
until at the awful sight l tainted. When
recovered consciousness l was on benc
in front of the house and the party had di
persed. Out on the plain lay. the body I
the victim of the duel, and in the houi
were the girl and the victor laughing an
talking as if nothing had happened"