The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-09-22
A MEXICAN DUEL.
Lassoed by Rival and Dragged tC
Death.

Lassoed by Rival and Dragged to
Death.
Mr. j. R. johnson, travelling man well
known in this city, has returned from trip
through New Mexico, where he witnessed
one of the most terrible duels ever fought
in that land, says a special dispatch from
Kansas City, Mo-, to the Globe-Democrat.
Mr.. JohnSO n was in the southern part of
New Mexico. taking wagon ride with his
samples, when he arrived at the little village
of Sebolla. There was no hotel in the
place, but he succeeded in obtaining ac-
commodations in a house VIII ich was slight
remove from stable.
After making out a supper as best he could.
Mr.. johnson sat in front OF the house en-
joying cigar. Inside he could hear the
pretty daughter of his host laughing and
chatterng. The girl was evidently the belle
of the country and knew it. Early in the
evening young Mexican rode up. He was
tricked out in all the finery affected by the
horSemen of that country, and from the
ELUSIVE reception accorded by the girl he
was evidently a favorite. While the merri-
meut was at its height another Young man
rode up, dressed enough like the first to play
the twin-brother act. He was as well re-
ceived as his predecessor, but it was plain
that each eyed the other with Jealousy. a
few minutes later the driver informed MIR.
johnson that there would be trouble. for the
men were rivals and the girl was thorough
co4uette.
The two men had been in the house but a
short time when loud talking and quarreling
was heard. Mr.. johnson went into the
room, attracted by the noise. and saw at
once that there would be a fight. Finally
they appeared to have come TO some agree
ment, ana the Interpreter said they had de-
cided TO fight duel with their lassos. 1t
was bright moonlight night, ard about
dozen were in the party which rode out into
the prairie. a rapid ride took the party far
enough out into the plains to allow the duel
lists free room in which to ride. The rest of
the story can best be told i'll Mr.. Johnson'S
own words:
"a lasso duel-in fact. aduel of any sort
was new to me- but l had been in the West
so long that | knew the participants were in
dead earnest. | did not know how terrible
would be the ending or certainly | would
never have remained TO witness 1t. The
men were bare-headed and stripped to the
waist The horses were put facing each
other close together AT a given word they
rode slowly past each other, went about
twenty yards, turned ard were ready to be-
gin. Lasso in hand they slowly circled
about, keeping watchful eye on each
other. Suddenly there was hiss, and
lassU flew through the air. An alerteye and
quick dodge caused it to fall short, and
before it could be recovered, the other had
thrown his rope, but it, too, had been
guarded against. This continued for several
minutes, many throws being made and
avoided. The deadly loops were thrown by
experts, but they were lodged by men who
had studied the art all their lives.
cat last the smaller OF the two men sent
his RATA whistling through the air. / saw
the other throw up his hand and arm to
ward it off, but the loop settled down over
his head and arm and IN flash it was drawn
tight. 1t was all done in the twnklng of
an eye. Both horses were on the run while
the loop was fastened. He was jerked out of
the saddle, and then, In some way his boot
caught in the stirrup and he hung, scream
ing with pain, and the horses strained apart
as if trying to tear him in two. 1t was SIM
ply awful. The victorious man was yelling
like demon as he urged his horse TO greater
efforts. L could not stand the sight and
rushed forward to cut the rope. when the
foot slipped from the stirrup and the other
started his horse on the run across the moon
lit plain, dragging the inanimate body of his
rival. which was fast being reduced TO
shapeless mass. Round and round he cir
cled until | fam ted. When l recovered con-
seriousness was lying on bench in front of
the house and the party had dispersed. Out
on the plain lay the body of the victim of
the duel and in the house were the victor and
the girl laughing and talking as if nothing
had happened"