The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1900-09-26
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QUICK GUN PLAY.
II Saved n Government Detectives
Life In Street Duel.

George I. Bell, for years q Texas
ranger and later In the employ of the
government secret service, carries marks
Of six knife wounds aud seven bullet
wounds received while on duty as a
ranger for the government. Possibly the
most thrilling experience through which
he passed was q duel on the streets Of
Tucson, \. T., In that towns palmiest
days.
Bell had been Instrumental In rounding
up and capturing gang of counterfeit
ers known as the "Shaug Brooks" gang.
They had their mint" up in the Pellon-
clio mountains in the ella river country.
All were sent to the penitentiary and
had been released save Brooks, who es-
capped. a warrant, indorsed dead or
alive" was placed in Bells hands for
service. He located Brooks in saloon
in Tucson and, walking up, notified him
that he wns under arrest.
Shang glanced patronizlngly upon Bell
for he was 9 feet 2 in his stocking feet
and a giant in strength. Then ne an
nounced, Sonny, you'se II have to
grow some" He had half turned from
the bar as he spoke and Bell did not
know that the movement was shielding
his hand as 1t crcpt TO his pistol. Some
one in the saloon yelled a warning, and
instantly there came n shot. Shang reel
ed and then sank to the floor with a bull
let through his abdomen. Bell had fired
through his coat pocket The wound was
fatal, though II did not at once cause
Brooks 10 lose command over himself.
Pulling himself together, the desperate
drew his weapon, which lay beneath him.
and was leveling It ut Bell when the de-
tective sent another bullet through his
pistol wrist. ending his ability to do
harm. He died few hours later.
Though Bell did not know ii at the
time, Brooks had two companions in the
town. Jack and Jim Styles brothers.
They heard of the shooting and decided
to Avenge the death of their pal. Later
in the day as Bell walked past a general
store in the frontier town some one yell
ed, Look ont, Mr.. Bell" Turning like
a fash, at the same time drawing his re-
volver, the detective saw Jim Styles on
the opposite side of the street. lie saw
smoke issue from Styles weapon, and
bullet scared his temple. Jim Styles con-
tinued shooting, his brother Jack, on the
came side of the street with Bell, coming
to bis assistance.
One shot at Jim Styles laid that worthy
ON the ground. Jack Styles gave a yell
Of anger us he saw his brother fall and
advanced toward Bell, firing as he came.
The two men paused within ten PAGES of
each other, and there they emptied their
weapons. Bell had no knife and when
Styles saw this he gave a yell of triumph,
tossed his revolver from him and jumped
~ with bowie knife in his hand.
The two closed in upon each other. At
Styles first slash Of the knife Dell side
stepped, though the point Of the knife
made a painful wound over his right
eyebrow. Another vicious thrust lie par
ried, though the keen weapon laid open
his left forearm, pierced his upper lip,
knocking out two front teeth BY this
time the two men were upon the ground,
Bell beneath his antagonist. He heard
some one call bis name and another mo-
ment felt something strike his side
Reaching out, his hand fell upon pistol
sigh of relief followed this discovery,
and he placed the weapon full against
Styles chest just as the latter raised his
knife for last thrust. Bell pulled the
trigger and sent bullet through his
heart.
Both brothers lay dead, and Bell faint
ed from loss Of blood