Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1893-08-24
LARlAr BEnTER THAN PISTOL

! L T.
A Nevada Duel In Which One Com-
blatant Was Dragged to Death.
A unique and terrible duel was fought
recently on Durphy's cattle ranch, near
Carlin. New, says tile San Francisco
Examiner. George Rice and WestIy
Hickerson. two cowboys, Were the prin-
cipals, both having teen friends for
some time. During the evening Rice
and Hickerson began playing FRANKS
on one another. HickerSon went to
Rice's bunk, took his pistol, and threw
it into Il stream running close by.
Thereupon Rice swung his lasso and
caught Hickerson, declaring ne would
drag him into the creek and hold him
there until he found the pistol He was
prevailed upon by his companions. how
ever. to release HickerSun. He then
said he would quit work and leave the
ranch. He and Hickclson sat down
together to figure up how much money
they had borrowed from or loaned
to each other at different times and to
settle up. This matter was adjusted
amicably and they agreed to call it
all square, and Rice mounted his horse
to ride into town for the purpose of
seeing the foreman and to notify him
OF his intention to leave his service
and receive what was due him.
He had covered perhaps half the dis
f.,r to WIN 60,
he wheeled his horse and started back
toward the camp. 1t is presumed he
had thought the matter over and con-
cluded not to quit work. Hickerson
S;w him coming, when, without a word
to his companions, he molllted his horse
:nu started out to meet Rice. They
advanced until within about nifty yards
of each other, when Hickerson pulled
his revolver and commenced firing.
Rice leaned over on the opposite side
of his horse, Indian fashion. and began
circling around Hicl1erson, ut the same
time undoing his lasso, and kept grad
ually drawing nearer to Hickerson.
Hickerson had fired threa times at his
opponent, but owing to Rise's maneu-
vcrs. had failed to hit either horse or
rider. In the meantime Rice had drawn
close enough to his assailant He
Strengthened up in his saddle, whirled
his lariat around his head. and in
second the lariat had settled around
his victims body, and Rice was wildly
dashing toward the camp, dragging his
now helpless man over the rocks and
through the sagcbrllsh. The men in
the camp We're .lorror-Stricken at the
Si,rht on1 hnfnpn NAV
the assistance Of the poor fellow Rice
had reached camp. 1t was hut the
work Of 4 moment to undo the lasso,
and it took but glance at the bruised
and battered face of the unfortunate
young man to tell that life was extinct.
Rice, however, could not believe that
his victim was dead. and wanted to
ride into town for Il doctor but one of
the cowboys said the best thing to do
was to send for the foreman and tho
sheriff
Rice said: IF YOU are going to send
for that gang I think | will he making
myself scarce around these parts" He
Immediately put spurs to his horse and
shouted as he started: Il am going to
the Red house, boys, and you can find
me there
AS soon as the news of the tragedy
was received deputy sheriffs started for
the scene of the killing and the Red
House ranch. They returned, saying
Rice had not been near the Rcd house
and that no trace Of him could be
found.
The jury returned verdict that Hick-
erSOnS death was caused by being
dragged by lariat in the hands Of
George Rice. They neither eXonerated
nor blamed Rice.