The daily sentinel., 1903-05-20
DAVE DAY
GOES CUNNING

Durango. May 1S.-David F. Day
and Frank Hartman. of newspaper
fame, exchanged 13 shots at each
other about $3.50 this evening, at a
distance from eight to fifteen feet and
both still live to renew the fight at u
later day.
Stories are somewhat conflicting,
but the most creditable is the one that
Hartman was standing in front of the
Ell Moro saloon, talking with Dan
Meuser, local printer. and some
others when Day came down the
street. He looked into the saloon,
then turned around to Meuser and ask
ed him if he was connected with the
Trades Journal Meuser replied tha5
he was not, this evening, whereupon
Dave remarked that anyone who was
connected with the paper was = =.
AT this Hartman and Day pulled re-
volvers, Hartman according to two
bvstanders, fired the first shot. Hart
man says Day fred first, if anything,
but that both drew about the same
time.
Hartman emptied his revolver at
Day and Day returned shot for shot,
drawing ou reserve weapon which
he fired once.
When the shooting commenced the
men began backing away from each
other and when Hartman had emptied
his revolver he started to run and en-
tered saloon.
At the first shot hundreds of people
rushed out of the saloons and resorts
to ascertain what was up. but they
soon began seeking places of safety and
when the firing ceased not spectator
was in sight. The Ell Moro was well
filled with patrons at the time and it
was rush for the back door and
dropping to the floor when bullets
began whizzing about as though a
battle was on.
Day was not touched. while one
bullet took effect on Hartman. caus-
ing slight flesh wound in the leg
possibly half an inch deep.
Trouble has been brewing in the
newspaper field for some months.
Last November Day had trouble with
his union printers and locked them
out. employing non-union men. A
boycott was instituted by the unions.
and the merchants to large extent.
upon demand withdrew their patron
age. The trades unions started what
is known as the Trades Journal. Hart
man up to last week having done the
principal writing for the paper. The
Trades journal filled its columns with
abuse of Day, who in turn roasted the
men connected with it in his we'll
known style.
In addition to this the past week a
vigorous newspaper war has been on
between Editor Higgirs of the Even
ing Telegraph and Day of the Demo-
crat. Higgins lampooning Day and
stating that Re was ready and willing
to meet him at any time and any
place.
Sunday morning Day invited Hig-
gins to duel, to be fought in New
or outside of this judicial
district. stating in paper that man
might as we'll be dead as to live under
the castigation of the Telegraph.
This afternoon Higgins replied in
the Telegraph that he was willing to
take pot luck with Day, but declined
a duel. saying that Day was too low
to thus honor. and people have been
looking for a meeting between the
A.. a IL.
was between them.
After the shooting Day repaired TO
his office. while Hartman remsined |
about town. both the sheriff's force
and the police being on the lookout
for another meeting. 1t is believed,
however, that the shooting tonight
will clear the atmosphere and put a
stop to the bitter warfare on both
sides.