San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1895-05-12

JOtuuIlcuJ, the crowd pOufeu lAto 4ue
Carbonate" directly across the street,
and filled the saloon TO its utmost
capacity.
While the long line of thirsty souls
were standing at the bar drinking or
waiting to be served, a cry of look
out" was heard, and instantly the
sharp and loud reports of two revolt
vers scattered the crowd in all direc-
tions. Who drew first none could say,
but the little one evidently got in the
first shot, for Mclaughlin was seen to
stagger and put his hand to his breast.
He did not finch, however, and both
men continued to fire with great
rapidly. At this critical juncture
something was noticed to be wrong
with Brierly's pistol. 1t would not re-
volve, and IN working with it the
chamber dropped out and rolled on the
floor. Again McLaughlin's pistol rang
out and bullet hole through his an
tagonlst's hat showed that the effect of
the first shot had not destroyed his
aim, although he staggered around the
room like a drunken man. COolly
STOPPING down, Briefly picked up the
chamber of his revolver, deliberately
replaced it and began firing again.
While fixing his weapon he had got
into corner at one end of the bar or
counter and Mclaughlin took similar
position at the other end. The fire
now raked the counter from end to
end, to the danger and horror of a
number of spectators who had taken
refuge from the flying bullets behind
the bar at the beginning of the fight.
With the crack of the pistols was heard
the wild cry of some poor devil in the
line of fire. The shrek and fall of one
of the number, a quiet, inoffensive
German, who had nothing to do with
the affray, put an end to the bloody
business. The proprietor of the Car
Donate, now a well-lznown citizen of
Denver, jumped across the counter and
seized Briefly with an iron grasp,
while others caught Mclaughlin and
wrenched the revolver from his hands.
The result of the shooting was the
death of the unfortunate German, shot
through the heart, the fearful wound
ing of Mclaughlin, who was sinking
fast from a serious flesh wound in the
breast, and a slight flesh wound re-
ceived by Briefly.
The barroom duel over, Leadvillc re-
sumed its normal condition. The fight
was eminently satisfactory. Both men
were game, but the little one had come
out on top Briefly was well known
throughout the sage-brush country.
He was prime favorite with every
body, and no bigger heart ever beat in
little body. On more than one occa-
sion he had talked over his turbulent
life and the exciting scenes in which
ne had been an actor. No mention had
ever been made of his early life, but
tiny miniature of fair-haired, blue
eyed maiden, which he always ecrEieu
next his heart, might have told it's sad
story of love and sorroT, hope and de-
spair Few Hen ever knew how
thoroughly Briefly despised, in his lat
ter yeas, the reputation Of fighting
usin.
Such a reputation, he would bitterly
remark, is curse to anyone. Every
reckless fool who wanted to get his
name up as a desperate thinks he is
in duty bound to have difficulty with
you, while you are expected to resent
every grievance, real or imaginary,
with the knife or pistol. IF had to
live my life over again, nothing short
of absolute dishonor would make me
fight anybody" His reflections on the
past were evidently not of pleasant
character, and there can be no doubt
that he deeply and sincerely regretted
many events in his reckless career. 1t
was singular how so quiet and gen.
tlemanly little fellow could get into
SO many ugly scrapes. His early griefs
weighed upon his mind, and like many
another gallant fellow he sought for
getfulness in strong drink. Doubtless
this had much to do with his numerous
deadly quarrels, for few men wer,
more quiet and inoffensive when sober
Poor Briefly! With him life's fifth
fever is over, and he sleeps beneath tie
pinon bushes, on the carbonate his,
his SECRET buried with him. Peace to
his Observation-Disclosures Post.