Evening capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1888-1893, 1891-09-03
HAND TO HAND WITH KNIVES.
An Indian Dispute Settled by the Deaf
Of poth Parties TO IL.

An Indian Dispute Settled by the DEAN
Of Both Parties TO IL.
William Weston, a ranchman living
twenty miles north Of Fishomingo |.
T.. brings story Of a most horrible
duel which was fought with knives by
two Indians near his ranch. There
had been bad blood between the two
for some time. which had started over
a horse race.
The Indians were named Sewapi and
Nunechi. They had been restrained
from fighting several times by their
friends. but on meeting at a horse race
he quarrel was renewed, and it was
inally arranged that they should end
das matter by duel with knives. A
large crowd OF Indians and halfbreeds
were present, and a ring was formed.
Each man had his second, who was
armed with a Winchester rifle, ready to
shoot down any one who might be
tempted to interfere.
The contestants were stripped to the
waist. and each was armed with two
sharp knives, the blades being about
eight inches long. When the men en-
tered the ring it was with the under
standing that it was duel to the death.
Both we're magnificent specimens of
manhood and they were equally adept
in the use Of the knife.
Amid breathless silence the combat
ants slowly approached the center OF
the ring. There they stood for min
ute gazing at each other, while the
silence was most painful. Not sound
could be heard except the occasional
stamp of a horse on the outskirts of the
crowd. The spectators sat around per
fectly motionIess, while the duelists
began slowly to walk around each
other. Watching for a chance to catch
one another of guard. 1t was prob
ably two minutes before a change
came. and then it was with the rapidity
Of lightning stroke.
Sewapi suddenly made leap through
the air toward his enemy, and for an
instant the air appeared to be full Of
Indians and knives, which latter flashed
in the sunshine like streaks of light
as quickly as they came together die
they separate, and notwithstanding the
rapid play of the weapons it was seer
that neither had received a scratch
Still, during the whole exciting scene
not a sound could be heard except thu
clashing steel as it came together.
Slowly the circling began again, anC
the glittering eyes alone showed tha
the walk meant death. Soon the sam
leap was repeated, this time by Nune
chi, who seemed to fly through the air
The fight was fast and furious, ant
when they separated both were bleed
ing profusely. Sewapi had terribl
cut across his breast, while Nunech
had the muscle of his left forearm al
most severed.
The interinission was very short, ant
both men sprang simultaneously to
ward each other. sThe struggle wa
fierce, and suddenly a trip was giver
and Scwapi fell on top of his antag
onist. The lightninglike rapidity o
the stroke and parry precluded the
possibility of knowing who was getting
the worst of it, until it was noticed tina
Nunechi threw up his arms, stiffenet
out his legs, and was dead with knit
in his heart.
Sewapi sprang to his feet, gave al
earsplitting yell, and then slowly sanl
to the ground, with blood gushing from
a dozen wounds. Before friend coult
reach him he, too, was corpse. .-Sal
Francisco Examiner