The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-12-26
COLONIES ON THE FIGHT
Col. c. j. Nesbitt and Col. Pat DOMAIN
Looking for Each Other With
Winchesters.
Each in a Fine Frenzy Rolling Ia
til They Came Almost
Together.
History of the Negotiations ThT: Avssese
tho Splitting Of Blood and Avoided
Murder.

Murder.
The famous duel between Col. G. j. Mes
bitt, the then editor of the Platte City
Landmark, and Col. Pat. Donan, of Lex
ington, which did not occur some fifteen
Years AGO. was an event in Missouri jour
nalism, says the Kansas City Times. How
it came about is q matter OF history, and
yet no authentic record has been kept.
About ten years after the close of the war
and before the present period of tranquil
ity. Col. C. J. Nesbitt and Major Tom
Parke, at present filling responsible posi-
ton in the Office of the secretary of state,
were Jointly editing and publishing the
Landmark. Col. Nesbitt was preparing the
editorial matter-and ably he performed
this duty-while Major Parke devoted his
executive ability to the business depart
ment, looking after the money and swear
ing to the circulation.
In the course of his editorial duties Col.
Nesbitt, metaphorically, of course,
'.skinned" Col. Pat Donan and hung large
sized portion Of his epidermis on the fence
IN front of the Landmark Office, whore it
Haunted in the breeze. Nothing was heard
of COL Donan for some time after the pub
LEGATION Of the article, and Col. Nesbitt was
looking around him for more foes to van
quish, when one eventful day Platte City
was thrown into perfect II OF excitement
by the receipt Of telegram from Licking
ton, addressed to ne ono in particular, but
sanguinary and bloodthirsty in its tone to
the highest degree. 1t read about this way:
.Col. Pat Donan and Col. Blank have Just
left here for Platte City. They are armed
with Wincheste1f, and 90 for Col. Nesbitt.
When they arrive in Platte City blood will
6ow.''
ct once aroused. And this was intensified
half hour later by another telegram from
a station between Lexington and Platte
City stating that Col. Pat Donan and Col.
Blank had Just passed there en- route to
Platte City. A few minutes later a tele-
gram of similar import was reoeiv-
the two towns. From this time
Platte City was a hotbed of excitement.
kilograms were constantly pouring in an
nounoing the near approach of Col. Donan
and Col. Blank wrapped up in their mis-
toned in every dispatch, and Platte City.
under the excitement, took on the aspect of
war times. As they got nearer and nearer.
rs announced by the frequent kilograms,
the banks closed their doors, business
houses practically suspended and little
groups of excited citizens stood on the
street corners discussing the probable out
come. Wagers were freely offered that the
Landmark would come out on top
whatever turn matters took, and in this
frame of mind the excited populace waited
for other kilograms or the arrival of the
blood drinkers.
Meantime a consultation between man.
aging editor and business manager was be-
! ing held in the Landmark office. Col. Mes
bitt was q man OF nerve, and not easily
ruff1ed by any invasion OF his editorial
sanctum by an angry public, but in the
present instance he was at q loss whether to
temporize till the storm had blown over or
to look the cyclone squarely in the eye and
make it quail. He appealed to Major
Parke. "lom," said he, what shall we
doi''
manager, "why, fight, of course"
"But,' appealed the editor. I'm this in
stance it may be best to smile into the
barrels of the Winchesters and look amia-
ble."
NO" replied the business manager, you
must fight Douan. or fight me-"
II fight Donan, them said Col. Mes
bitt. you make the arrangements, and
I'll fight
Thus tho matter was settled. Col. Mes
bitt retired to the editorial sanctum while
Major Parks calmly awaited Developments
in the business Office. Meanwhile
s shs mo4s snosd f oo ponss
and Col. Blank were approaching. Finally
q telegram was received from the railroad
junction, just four miles. They had just
left there. The Winchesters were still with
them. They were as blood thirsty Ms when
the citizens Topped and fiip-hapI ed in
unison like the heavy movements of steam
churn dasher. Everything was at the high
est excitement. The two seekers of gore
soon reached the town and put up at the
Hunts hotel. One could have heard 4 dew
drop on the streets.
Col. Blank soon left the hotel, and made
direct for tho Landmark Office. There he
encountered Major Parke.
is this Col. Nesbitt?' inquired he.
No sir, are you Col. Pat Donan?' coun-
ter-questioned Major Parke.
;. "A friend, sir" was the naughty reply,
Let her fiicTer,a s.id the major. "A.
fighting editor of this paper, am author
ICED to make the arrangements for Col.
Nesbitt.
After reading the defiance from Col. Do
nan. Major Parte informed tho colonel
that his principal wanted to fight. and had
been aching for fight for moons. and now
that the opportunity was offered him,
nothing could satisfy his longing desire for
gore but red hearts blood.
''As We are the challenged party" said
the major. solemnly. "we choose Winches-
tsrs, at ten feet, ten yards or ten miles. As
business has been suspended pending the
settlement of this little affair, We desire to
lose no time. Col. Domains obituary is
now in type. and assure you we have
spoken well of him.
This was turn that neither Col. Donan
nor Col. Blank had foreshadowed.
They had been playing a game of
bluff and now that tho time had come
to show their hands, they weakened. |
Col. Blank consulted with his principal |
and again visited tho Landmark Office. Col, |
DOMAIN. he said, would accept written
apology from Col. Nesbitt.
But Major Tom Parke, an enthusiast
over the game of bluff, held his hand stiffiy |
and refused to allow the cards to be shuffied |
again. His principal wanted to fight, and |
he wanted to fight with Winchesters at ten |
feet, ton yards, or ten miles. Again Col, |
Blank consulted with his principal, while |
the town clock licked more rapidly, and |
the pendulum yibrated at a 2:lO pace. The
thing was becoming too warm for them,
They wanted to fight. Az last alternative
Major Parke consented for his principal to |
accept = written apology, and thus ended
the exciting difficulty between Col. Pat |
DOMAIN and Col. C. J. Nssbitt.
Fanny Davenport.
The great American traRedienne has writ