The San Francisco call., 1897-03-19
FATAL SHOOTING
At CARSON CITY
Windy S mith Bores a Hole
in His Friend Jack
Bradford.
Result of a Frivolous Dispute
and a Re.ural to Take
a Drink.
The Tragedy Had Many Humorous
Phases-Sheriff Kinney Pr, vents
Lynching

carson, New, March 1s.-The sports
who are left in Carson have been discuss
ing all day long the incidents attending
the first gun play made in the valley for
nearly year. This occurrence startled
the promenaders on Seymour avenue just
before midnight.
The participants in the shooting-or
rather the participant, for there was only
.one-was windy Smith of Randsburg,
Cal. The man who did not participate
was Jack Bradford of Butte City, Mont.
1t appears that they had been friends for
great many years, but they got into an
argument about the gold that has been
taken out of the Comstock lode. Smith
contended that nearly 5000, 100000 had
been realized, while Bradford refused to
believe that one-half OF that amount had
been taken out.
We'll, l don't think you know any
thing about mining anyway" said Smith
In good -natured way; "you are kind
OF a lobster"
We'll, we won't quarrel over the matter
of few hundred millions" said Brad
ford; let's 60 and take drink"
81 wouldn't drink with lobster like
you," said Smith.
Some harsh words followed and all of a
sudden Bradford, who is a 6-footer. pro-
seeded to deal out to Smith quite as much
punishment as Fi:zslmmons gave Cor bett.
he men wrestled about on the sidewalk
in front of the Magnolia saloon, and as
soon as Smith could get one hand free he
drew from his belt big 44-calber revolver
and placing it against Bradford's body,
fired and then took to his heels. The bull
let punctured the abdominal coil in sew
eral places and came out through Brad
ford back. He staggered for a moment,
byt did not fall. Entering the saloon he
sank into chair, where he remained for
some moments groauing.
Lay me down on the floor" he said to
the barkeeper, "and give me a little fire.
water"
They lifted him from the chair and
carried him into the back room, where a
big faro game was in progress. Some of
the players stopped long enough TO cast
glance In the direction of the mortally
wounded Montana man and asked what
allied him, but in other respects his en-
trance to the gambling hall did not attract
any more attention than if he had walked
in and announced his intention of betting
$50 ON The high card. Bradford writhed
vita painl bar before the physicians ar
rived he said to one OF the barkeepers:
II don't care at all about being croaked,
but the idea OF being croaked by four
husher like Windy Smith IS the toughest
deal can think Of"
''I guess we had better take his boots
off; don't you think so?" remarked by
stander. "1t is a custom he have out
here
"An right. take them off," said Brad
lord; Il don't want to die with them on"
With about as much ceremony as though
they were handing the fallen man plug
of tobacco, the barkeeper took off his
boots, and then Bradford seemed to feel
better.
Sheriff Kinney and several of his depu-
ties found Windy" Smith playing against
a chuck-a-luck game in Chinatown. lie
did not make the slightest resistance, but
announ ced the fact that he was $8 loser
and would like to get even.
II shot that fellow in self-defense,"
sa i'd Windy. II am glad l didn't shoot
him last night, or / would have missed the
fight"
When Bradford's friends, who came up
from Butte City to the fight in special
car, heard of his hard luck they left their
Pullman, and made a wild dash forthe
scene of the tragedy. They all knew
Windy" Smith, and not man in the
party seemed to have an exalted idea of
him.
When the Montana delegation "lined
up in front of the Jail Sheriff Kinney,
who has had some experience in standing
off lynching-bees suspected that there
was trouble brewing.
Boys" he said, addressing the friends
of Bradford, 81 am a man of very few
words. I'm going to take the bull by the
horns ard tell you fellows right now that
nothing goes if you have any intentions
of holding a necktie social. Windy"
Smith is in here, and he is going to stay
here until we send him to The peniten-
tiary. If he is guilty The citizens of this
county will be present at his official cash
ing-in."
1.-THE Sheriff is good fellow, boys"
said one of the Butte men, "and l guess
the best thing we can do is to see that
poor old Bradford is taken care OF during
his last hours. We will take him up
bottle of liquor and some chewing to-
bacco."
So the party marched up to the Briggs
House, where the physicians were making
preparations to perform an operation.
Hello, mates" said Bradford. II
guess l am done for. but it's awful tough
luck to have duck like Windy Smith
croak you. You lads can't understand
how badly my feelings are hurt, bu:
know tina; if they don't string Windy up
in Nevada | know that some of my pards
who are in this room will take good care
to provide frst-class funeral for him
elsewhere"
~ ou can bet on that. came in chorus
from the rough miners. 1--WE Will at
tend 10 him, Jack, never fear"
JACKS friends remained with him until
flor the operaion, but he had not re-
gained consciousness up to a late hour to-
night, and the surgeons said that there
was absolutely no chance for him to live