Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1904-07-21
A Remarkable Shot
[original.l

Aue uoSl remarkable SlOt that ever
came under my notice was in the fight
between Treat and Skinner, back in the
late fifties"
Inc speaker was a white haired re-
tired army officer and was "reminis-
c1ng' at meeting Of the Aztec club.
Since the club is composed Of veterans
Oh the Mexican war, the party We're all
very old men and few in number.
Il had just been promoted to be cap
ta1n," continued the veteran, land was
stationed at Leavenworth. One day I
Went out to one of the little towns in
Missouri on some business for nv de-
partment, the commissary, and put up
Tor the night at the only tavern in the
town, located on an open square or
PARK, around which most Of those tav-
erns are built. In the evening there
was game of poker played openly in
the little office Of the tavern, and to
while away the time I stood over the
table looking on. One Of the players
was 1.-the, trim built young fellow not
more than twenty-one, who was play
ing pretty high. But it didn't seem to
matter much to him whether he won
or lost, his countenance wearing the
same imperturbable expression in Ell
ther case. Being impressed with his
appearance, asked who he was and
was told that his name was Treat and
that he had been prominent in the
lights on the slavery question in Kan
sas, he taking part with the free state
men. Indeed he had made himself so
obnoxious to the southern element that
they had run him out Of the territory.
There was at the table redheaded
man named Skinner, who was con-
dnually throwing in remarks as to
the prevailing political situation, re-
ferrlng to the Abolitionists in no fat
tering terms. watched Treat expect
Ing him to fire up, but to my surprise
he paid no attention to the mans re-
marks. combining his attention to the
game. Treat raked in jack pot with
500 in it. and Skinner deliberately
laid his hand on ten dollar bank bill
which he claimed Treat owed him.
Treat only said that he didn't remem-
per owing any one any money, but 1t
was all right.
1T wasn't long after this that Skin
ner got up from the table, and before
leaving the room he said to Treat, If
you want to stay in this here town
you're welcome, but you can prove
your right to do so tomorrow morning
at 8 o'clock when l come across the
square
"Treat paid no more attention to him
than if he hadn't heard him. But
there was no more play, and he left
the room soon after. l asked what it
all meant and was told that the people
of the town were mostly pro-slavery
men and didn't want an Abolitionist
around. The words of Skinner, who
was the best shot among them and
had been selected for the purpose,
meant a challenge to fight to the
death in the park Treat must either
disappear during the night or fight in
the morning.
After breakfast the next cay I saw
people at their windows and lining
the sidewalks about the park. Think
ing q fight was expected, went up to
my room to see it from my window.
Presently Treat came out of the tay-
ern door below me. 1 think it was
the first intimation the pro-slavery
men had that he would stay in town
and fight, for could see by the ex-
pressions on the faces of the people
that they were suddenly much pleased
that he had done so, as they would
have the pleasure Of seeing him killed.
At any rate, somebody would be killed.
Treat sauntered across the street to
a gate at one Of the corners of tho
park. His hat was drawn down over
his eyes so that couldn't see the ex-
preston on his face, but something in
the quick turns Of his head told me he
was taking in every possibility Of the
situation, especially knot Of proslav-
cry men who took position near the
gate he entered.
'There were two walks running be-
tween the four corners. Skinner was
coming from the diagonal corner.
think the corners at which the two
men entered were about 500 feet apart.
Skinner had barely left his corner and
SO far as could see, had not drawn a
weapon. Evidently he desired closer
quarters. l glanced from him to Treat.
AT the moment he drew a revolver
the biggest size then made; never had
seen so long barrel-and brought it
to bear on Skinner, who had by this
time covered some fifty feet OF the dis
lance between corners. Skinner didn't
even raise his weapon. l suppose he
didn't think Treat could hit him at
such distance and knew he couldn't
hit Treat. After deliberate aim q
shot rang out from Treats pistol.
Skinner threw both hands in the air
and fell back with a bullet plumb
through his forehead.
Treat didn't wait a second after see
ing his enemy fall before turning,
huge revolver in each hand, to face the
crowd behind him. He was none too
soon, for SINNERS friends were start
ing forward to kill him. But some