The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-09-21
FISTS BETTER THAN GUNS.
A Man Whom the OId-Timers Would
Like to Welcome in Kelly.

! Like to Welcome in Kelly.
In the days when pistols were worn
as regularly as shirts Ia plenty to sat-
| isfy any ordinary tenderfoot can still
be seen in this region) a stranger came
here and stopped at the hotel without
| saying much to anybody, says Kelly
On. NJ correspondent. He hired a
team and driver and took in the various
gulches and prospects that could be so
reached, and he kept his eye on the
| trade of the various business houses of
the town as well. Some thought he
was mine Spectator and others
thought he was sizing up the camp
with view to going into mercantile
business. He took drink now and
then, and sat in game of stud poker,
when he came out a bout even, one night
After three or four days, when nothing
had been learned about him, rumor
ran about the camp that he was de-
tective. Thereat Budd Wood, who was
then the tough pride of the sports in
town, said he would "call him once for
luck"
Budd is said to have been an able
tough in spite of deal of swagger in
his bearing, but he had one failing as a
tough-he had to drink and work him
self into a passion before he could kill
anybody He was by no means what
would be called here cool and gentle
manly tough. So when he set out to
call the supposed detective he began by
drinking d lot of whisky, and when
half full he found his intended victim
in the Pinon saloon reading the latest
paper from Denver, and all unconscious
of danger, for, contrary to the usual
custom in such cases, no one had warned
him that Budd was looking for him.
For this reason he took no notice Of
Budd's loud talk even when reference
in vile language was made to the arts
and character of all detectives. In fact
he probably was accustomed to ignor-
ing barroom talk, and did not hear it.
But after awhile, in preparing to smoke.
he bit Off the point of cigar and acct
dentally spit it on Budds boot. He
realized that something of unusual in
terest to him was happening then with
out delay. for Budd turned on him with
yell. and, cursing like pirate, said
he'd kill the offender in about two min
utes.
The stranger got on his feet and
stammered and suffered in his efforts
to explain and apologize. The attack
was so unexpected that he was thrown
entirely off his guard, and his blanched
face showed everyone that for the mo-
ment he was helpless. But Budd mean
time was getting thoroughly in earnest
He had made up his mind to kill the
stranger. and when he drew two big
revolvers the spectators began hunting
shelter behind the bar and the stove.
Then something did happen. The
color came back to the strangers face
and he said quickly to Budd:
''Look out for that man with the
poker behind YOU
Budd half turned as if to avoid
blow, and then he got one he didn't
expect. fair under the ear, delivered
with all the strength of the stranger,
who knew that life depended on it. 1t
was good blow, too, for it laid Budd
at full length on the floor. The stran-
ger was on him in minute, but that
was not necessary, for it was a knock
out blow.
While the tough Guivered the stran-
ger took the cartridges from the re-
volver and gave the whole into the
keeping of the bartender. Then he
helped carry Budd to bed, after which
he hired rig and drove to Magdalena,
from which he took the train the next
morning, and has never been heard of
since. If this article should happen to
reach his eve he viii confer a great
favor on three of the witnesses OF the
incident, and of Budd as well, if he
viii write to the Pinon and tell some
thing of himself. Better yet, he can
make Kelly another visit, for, although
times are dull. there are enough OF the
old timers left to give a fitting welcome
to man whose fist is better than two
CunS.-N. y. sun.