Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-04-12
A BLOODLESS DUEL
OF THE WEST.

OF THE WEST. (
A~~N
Captain Jacob Matthews died recent
ly near Sidney, Neb. He was prin-
cipal In one of the most singular, IL
bloodless, ducls ever fought in the
West. He emigrated from Pennsylva-
MA early in the Cos, and settled at
Omaha, where he began as a small
merchant. OF Quaker stock and peace
loving, he frequently declared he had
fired pistol only once in his life.
els title was entirely complimentary.
The duel in which he engaged took
place shortly after his arrival ut Oma-
ha City, when he aroused the animos-
ity Of Bull Tomey, n blackles and an
expert with the pistol. Matthews re-
fused to sell goods to Tomey on credit,
whereupon the latter promptly chal-
lenged the young merchant to a duel.
AS Tomey had participated in dozen
or more such affairs and had always
come off victorious, great was the sur
prise and alarm of Matthews friends
when he promptly accepted the chal-
lenge.
II have never had a pistol In my
hands In my life," said Matthews, "but
mean to meet him, though neither of
us will be hit"
The next day Tomey and Matthews
met in field south of the town. The
news Of the impending duel had been
WALL nfrnpIafa1 opd frton1c l,oth
assembled, although the general con-
viction was that Matthews was as
good as dead.
To the amaZement of the spectators,
as well as Tomey and his second,
when they reached the field they found
newly dug grave yawning for him
who should fall in the duel. Tomey
made 1t the butt Of his coarse wit.
THAT Teller Matthews is thought
full one" he said to the crowd HE
comes out here to get me to pop him
of and has his own grave ready, SO
Z, we can hold the funeral without waste
of time" -
ION the contrary" answered Mat:
thews. 81 have had that grave dug for
you"
There was even greater cause for as
constituent when Matthews second
Williams-strode on the field. He was
known to be one of the most desperate
men in Omaha. His fame as dead
shot was as great as that of Tomey,
while his daring and wickedness were
held in fur higher repute by the rough
element, of which he was ruling
spirit. Some trifiing kindness had won
this desperate to Matthews, and he
had sworn to see him through the fight
and secure fair play, IL he had to clean
out score of his own tribe.
The duelists were to stand and fro
at ten paces. and Williams who ;mme.
diately took charge of all arrange.
ments without much Difference to the
wishes or views of his fellow SECOND
SO managed 1t that the grave came d.
rectly between them. To this arronre-
ment Tomey and his second strenuo,,s.
" objected. but Williams. with nm
ugly frown. oyerruled them saving
tersely that. as the challenged nartv'
his PRINCIPAL had n right TO select the
ground. SO long as no obstacles inter.
yened. The dirt from the grave had
been removed to n distance. SO there
could be no complaint on TINT score.
Tomey and his second appealed to tho
crowd. but soon found Themselves n
HELPLESS minority. for the nredominat-
ing rough element were afraid of vii.
liams. and SO of course sided with him.
The respectable spectators naturally
agreed with any proposition made in
the interest of Matthews. whether the
benefit was apparent or NOT Finding
II of no avail 10 protest further
Tomey's second placed him on his side
of the grave. and Williams did like.
wise with Matthews. Then Williams
stepped some PAGES to the right of his
principal. and made a brief address.
"Yon men are to have one shot
apiecen he began looking STRAIGHT nj
Tomey. who stood nj careless ease wifi
IA smile ON his repulsiye face.
.Thats all 1 want" he retorted. 81
don't believe in tearing i'm nil to
pieces.n
"All Won want?" repeated wi,liams.
Gwen see that Won don't FRY ia take
more. And mother thing I want yon
to bear carefully in mind. Rull Tomey
that I'm standin' here with INV gun in
nv good right hand. and If Won fire
before / give the word of command
why. III blow tbe heart ont of Won.
and i reckon from what Won know Of
me. Won will believe Pm in earnest
when caution you."
Tomey sconled darkly. Int made no
answer. relations between the two