Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1893-12-23
A BLOODY FIGHT.

The Ready Gun of tho Cowboy Snum
Out One Life and Posi-
bly, Two.
Dick Carter Dead, Frank Dean Wound
ed, and F. Rousch a Fugitive
From Justice.
Another dark tragedy has been added
to the crime annals Of Custer county,
and as results Of the bloody affair, Dick
Carter, well known character in the
foot hills, is lying dead, Frank Dean, a
cowboy, is seriously, perhaps fatally
wounded, and Francis Rousch, cattle
man. is doubtless ere this in the custody
of the officers, charged with psrficipsE
ton in the crime that has been com
mitted. A telephone message was re-
ceived at Custer Thursday morning.
tating that man had been killed at
Stanton's ranch, and asking that the
sheriff and coroner start Immediately
Blachley was promptly summoned from
Buffalo Gap, and Deputy Sheriff Nc
Clelland was sent from Custer to make
the necessary arrests. The latter has
not yet returned, and the only details
Of the affair now at hand, are the
meagre reports which can be obtained
by telephone. Briefly stated they are
as follows: The killing occurred at the
Stanton ranch, on Spring creek, this
county, last Wednesday evening. Frank
Stanton and Dick Carter were joint
owners OF the ranch, but Carter left the
place some time ego, and has since
complained that Stanton was not deal
ing fairly with him.
Wednesday afternoon, Carter, accom-
panied by +. Rousch, started for the
ranch with the avowed intention of do
ing up Stanton. They found no ono at
home at that time, but returned later in
the evening. Frank Dean, one Of Stan
tons cowboys, noticed the two men
prowling about the place, and going out
doors to see what was wanted, was fired
upon by both Carter and Roush. Dean
was wounded in the shoulder and hip,
but managed to return the fire, fatally
wounding Carter. After the shooting,
Carter was carried into the cabin, where
he died in short time. One of Deans
bullets had pierced his shoulder, and
the other his abdomen. Dean was tax
en- to Rapid City for medical treatment,
and is still there. Though not out Of
danger, it is believed he will recover.
The above version of the tragical occur
renee Of Wednesday night, is the one
given by him.
Carter ived short tune after being
death bed, that both Stanton aud Dean
came out of the cabin and commenced
shooting at Rousch and himself He is
quoted further as saying that Rousch
did not wish to go to the ranch with
him, but that he Carter insisted on it,
and that Rousch finally consented to so
and see fair play.
Dean will be brought to Custer as soon
as he is able to stand the trip Rousch
was in Rapid Thursday. but at the time
of going to press it is impossible to as
certain whether or not he has heen TAX
en- into custody by the Custer county
officers. Carter was cousin Of Auditor
Ferris. of Pennington county. All the
men implicated, are well known, and
the tragedy has created intense excite
ment in this section Of the Hills.
LATER.
The forms of the CHRONICLE have
been held open to the last moment to
receive the latest word from the scene
of the fight, and the following special
wired from Hermosa by P. D. McClel-
land has just been received. 1t is some-
what different from the above account,
and is probably more reliable:
Hermosa, s. D., Friday, Dec. %. lS93
Special to the CHRONICLE Wednes-
day, the Goth, K. B. Carter had been to
Hermosa, and while there got drunk
Came then to w. Wilson's ranch, in
company with Francis Rousch. In the
afternoon they went over to Frank
Stanton's rancn to see Stanton. Carter
and Stanton quarreled. Stanton struck
Carter over the head with qu;rt. and the
latter went away. In the evening Car
ter and Rousch started for Rousch's
ranch. Had to 60 past Stanton's place,
and Carter, who was still drunk. said he
would stop again and settle. He tied
his horse and started to walk up to the
door. Frank Dean, who works for
Stanton, came out, met Garter and ask.
ed him what he wanted. Then they
commenced to shoot with revolvers at
about three feet range. Cannot say
who shot first. Each man was shot
three times, Dean in face. side and
shoulder, Carter in arm, across breast
and in stomach. Each man emptied his
gun. Carter than mounted his horse
saying to Rousch. 81 shot him plenty.
but am shot all to pieces myBelf. and
am diving" The two rode back to VIII
sons ranch. about mile distant. Car
ter fell from his horse, was carried into
the house and died in twenty minutes,
at Up. m. Stanton took Dean to Rapid
for medical care. Mr.. Ferris, Of Rapid,
will take charge of Carter's body. In
quest will be held to-day.