Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1901-07-03
A REMARKABLE DUEL
BOTH OF THE PARTICIPANTS WERE
QUICK ON THE TRIGGER.

An Enforced Parade Preceded the
Gun Play. Which Was on the Pull
and shoot order-why Dratt0n Was
Glad He Lost His Right Hand.
THE most arfectionate looking two
handed gun play that eycr saw said
a Colorado gentleman in one Of the
house committee rooms, was the one
that happened at Ia Junta, in my
Kate, between Zig Divide jim Brat
ton and George Cannon, as pizenish a
pair of real bad men of the type that
has now passed away as ever famed a
.45 or twisted a Bowie.
"Gannon was the proprietor Of the
Gilt Edge hOnkatouk in La Junta. and
it was ut this place that lie had some
trouble with Bratton. The argument
ended by Bratton backing out Of the
door with his hands up, Cannon having
the drop. Cannon didn't shoot then be-
cause his gun wasn't loaded. lie had
been cleaning il ana had forgotten to
replace the cartridges. He'd have killed
Bratton otherwise rs n matter OF
course.
THAT same night Eratton sent worl
to Cannon that he mCditatad shooting
him M some IN the following day.
Cannon wasn't a man % take 10 The
cliffs or TIVE cactus. having plenty ot
notches on his Cun barrel himself, ana
he wSlEcl around The next afternoon
T.Y. TF-Ts 1aE-.v4r= 80 .4fff1.Wrs sItfy
Divide jim rrntton hulsel him. how
ever. Ny turning a corner suddenly rs
Cannon p]aralcd down The main street
and then it WAS GauHoa's hands that
went up for n change, BratIon had
two guns covering him, and Cannon
knew his gait.
This said Rra'tor, rs VHCrc get
80 even break for iur coin. Now, yuu
like nae 50 much, Cannon. that want
you 10 sort Of show your appreciation
Of me 10y wals!n around town linked
arms with me for awhile
at was up to Cannon 20 comply with
this peculiar request. 'Hig Divide jim
Bratton iabbed his guns hacl, into his
belt, ana then he clutched Gaalou's
left arm and passed it through bis
right. The disadvantage Of this ar.
rangemcut accrued 10 Bratton. 1t left
Gannon's gun arm free, while in case
of argument Bratton would have TO use
his left gun. But Big Divide Jim
wasn't selfish.
THE population of In Junta was
amazed TO see Big Divide jim Brat
ton aud George Cannon. who had al
ways been more or less sore on eacl
other and who had had n quarrel that
meant the death Of one or both OF then
on the night before, walking arm IT
arm up and down the main street ot
the town. 1t looked like n p%eripateti'
love feast between the two of 'em. Blu
they were watching each other lik,
cats. At the end of the street Bratton
still with his right arm linked 10 Gan
mons left, stopped suddenly and said:
"'George, l amt much on the blow
about any gun ~suddenness that ma!
possess, but l sure want to give you
chance. You thrung it into me las
night in q way that's eat up so much o.
the atmosphere around here tina
there's not enough air left In thi'
n~eighborhood for both of us to breathe
at one and the same time. I'm a-goiI
to count three, and when | say three
it's 4 breakaway and a finish. Iou'v
got n loose right arm, but | amt n
hog. One-two-three"
"The event proved Big Divide Jim
Bratton the quicker man and the bette
marksman. lie got Cannon through
the heart, whereas Gannon's ball lodg
ell in Bratton's right wrist. Brattol
had t. suffer his right hand to be GU
Off that same night.
''The last time ] saw him was I
Creole. lie was sitting on the edge q
a bunk in his own cabin. close to
claim lie was working. | hadn't see
him since he'd lost his hand.
"Jim.' said l. its too bad 20
should have lost that right hand.
the fellow that plugged You had onl
got the left hand. why
"'Oh, | don't know said Bratto
philosophically. If I'd ha' lost my lef
l wouldn't have been able to play I'll
fiddle any more
"IIe reached under his bunk an
brought forth an old violin. Then 1
rugged up. an attachment he had Il
holding the bow In his right stun
and he played the instrument rel
sweetly for me for half an hour or so.
~ couldn't have done no tingerin
I'd ha' lost my left hook. you know
said simply when he put the old iidd
away."-Washington Post.