Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1899-02-06
A MIDDAY SENSATION.
W. ]. Slaughter and W. H. Kerr Exchange
Revolver Shots at Very Close Range
on San Francisco Street
Kerr Wounded.


Bang. Bang 1t was a 3s caliber six
shooter that spoke. on San Francisco
street, nearly opposite to F'ischer's drug
store, at 1920 p. IN. today. The entire
street was startled, and everybody with
in hearing distance rushed to the scene.
Men in the neighboring restaurants
forgot all about their dinners, grabbed
their hats and rushed for the street,
leaving their walters to tilt their chairs
and save their places until they re-
turned
Bang. Th report was louder, for it
was 45-calibre gun that spoke in quick
return, and Immediately two figures
were seen hurrying down Gaspar aven-
ne towards the river, the pursuing figure
firing two further shots as the first fig
ure rounded the Water street corner,
and faded from view. The two gentle
men engaged in this interchange of
leaden compliments, were w. j. Slaught-
er and w. Ii. Kerr, the well known
BARRIERS, who, it is understood have been
prepared for emergencies for some
time. owing to certain domestic diff,
culties which may be brought out in
court.
According to the evidence of eye wit
nesses, and kerr's own statement.
the latter was walking toward the drug
store, and at the same time, Slaughter
was coming up the street. Both men
were armed, Slaughter having his 3s in
his hand in his overcoat pocket, while
Kerr had his 45 tucked in under his
vest, and not Immediately available.
When the two men were only few
feet apart, Slaughter yanked out his
gun and started in. He fired two shots,
and was so near Kerr as to burn his
white short front with powder. One of
the two shots missed. the other struck
the seventh rib on the right side and
glanced off. BY that time. Kerr had
his targed perforator out and limbered
up, and returned the fire. Immediately,
Slaughter started down San Francisco
stree at as fast gait as his bulky over
coat would allow, and turned down
Gaspar avenue. Kerr followed and
bringing down his gun twice more on
the fleeing Slaughter, ,ssaUed. 1t could
not be seen whether THEREAFTER was hit
or not, but as the last shot was fired,
he seemed to slip and balance himself
for an instant as he turned the corner to
the right and then disappeared.
BY this time the street was full of eX-
cited people. many of whom were call
ing after Kerr to let up. He seemed to
heed the injunction after the last shot
and on haltins Policeman johnson ran
up and took his gun away, and escorted
him under arrest, to Fischer's drug
store. Doctor Massie examined the in
iured man. and found the wound as
noted above, and by request of the po-
lice, held Kerr under arrest until his
case could be disposed of later Mar
shal Gallegos and several assistants hur-
ried over the river to find Slaughter, but
returned unable to locate him. 1t was
believed however, he would be found
before night, when he will have chance
to state his side of the matter
About half hour after the
affray, Deputy Sheriff Huber arrested
Slaughter and both men are being held
for hearings before justice of the
peace.
Slaughter was released on his own
recognizance, and returned to his shop
to resume work as usual. He said to .
reporter who called, that he fired the
first shot, as charged, but he did so be-
cause Kerr had accosted him first, in
such a threatening way; and as the lat
ter had made threats before of a serious
nature, and he considered Kerr dan
gerous man, he, Slaughter, was not TAX
ing any chances; and believing his life
in danger, resorted to firearms. Then
his gun wouldn't work after being dis
charged, and he got out Of the way
rather than remain and be killed Kerr
was released also, in $500 bonds, his
suretes being DR.. Massie, s. e. Cart
wright and J.. Fl. Vaughn