The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-07-10
rIsToL AGAINST LAB1Ar.
A Unique Duel in waich the Rope
Proved the Better Weapon.

From tho san Francisco Examiner
Carlin, New. Jnue ia tragedy
shocked this community Thursday even
ing, when Wesley TIickerson. a cow hoy,
was lassoed and dragged % death by
George Rice a friend ami companion
The scene OF the tragedy was on Dun
phys cattle ranch. about two miles from
this place The ranch is extensive. and
gives employment 20 "a small army of
cowboys
Thursday afternoon a train load of
cattle was received here from Arizona,
and a dozen or more Of the vaquerOs were
sent 70 town to unload and drive the cat
tie 70 the ranch. The cattle were n-
loaded and driven into the large railroad
stock corral, and the boys rode up to
town 10 indulge in a few drinks before
| beginning the homeward, dusty drive
The cattle being disposed Of, the boys
rode into camp.
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 q stream running
close by Thereupon Rice swung his
lasso and caught HieRerson, declaring he
would drag him into the creek and hold
him there until he found the pistol. He
was prevailed upon by his companions,
said he would quit work and leave the
ranch. He and HickerSon sat down to-
gether TO figure up how much money they
had borrowed from or loaned each other
at different times and to settle up THIS
matter was adjusted amicably and they
agreed to call il square. and Rice mount
ed his horse to ride into town for the
purpose of seeing Mr.. Faro, the foreman,
and TO notify him of his intention to leave
ftsaF 4 h
He had covered perhaps half the dis
lance TO town, when, for some reason, he
wheeled his horse and started back to-
ward the camp. 1t is presumed he had
thought the matter over and concluded
not to quit work Hickerson, saw him
coming, when, without word to his com
paniOns, he mounted his horse and started
out to meet Rice. They advanced until
within about fifty yards Of each other,
when HickersOn pulled his revolver and
began firing.
Rice leaned over on the opposite side OF
his horse; Indian fashion, and began cir
cling around Hickerson, at the same time
undoing his lasso, and kept gradually
drawing nearer to HicSerson. HickersOn
had fired three times at his opponent, but
owing to Rice's maneuvers had failed tC
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 a second the lar
lat had settled around his victims body,
| and Rice was wildly dashing toward his
camp, dragging the now helpless man
over the rocks and through the sage.
brush.
The men in the camp were horror
stricken at the sight, and before they
could rush to the assistance of the poor
fellow, Rice had reached the camp. 1t
was but the work of a moment to undo
the lasso, and it took but a glance at the
young man to tell that life was exstinct.
Rice however, could not believe that
his victim was dead, and wanted to ride
into the town for a doctor, but one of the
cowboys said the best thing to do was to
send for the foreman and the sheriff.
Rice said; IF you are gong to send
for that gang l think | will be 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 Carlyle and
| Howard started for the scene of the kill
ing and the Red House ranch. They re
turned yesterday, saying Rice had not
been near the Red House and that NJ
| trace of him could be found.
The jury returned a verdict that hi:
death was caused by being dragged by {
lariat in the hands of George Rice They
neither exonerated nor blamed Rice.
What tools shall useg" asked the subway