Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1904-04-26
COWBOY FOUGHT STRANGE DUEL


ter"-New York Sun.
COWBOY FOUGHT STRANGE DUEL.
Used His Leather Breeches Against
Sword Of Gendarme.
Captain Frank Butler, for 80 years
with Buffalo Bill, an expert shot and
the husband Of Annie Oakley, who
herself enjoys an international repu-
tation as one of the most expert rifle
shots in the world, recently told of
some of his experiences of a strenuous
character with Colonel Cody.
Il remember an incident that occur
red at Barcelona, Spain, while we were
there in $780," said the captain. when
we arrived there we expected to meet
with all the prosperity that we had
been accustomed to- but about the
time of our arrival an epidemic Of ty-
phoid, smallpox and la grippe set In
and we spent three Of the toughest
mcnths Of our lives. The tents were
|
matter. To such hardships were we re-
duced that we lowered the price to 10
cents, and we could not have got even
this If the money had not been mostly
counterfeit. AS a result, the entire
company Of 200 people were without
salary, and were in such disagree
able humor that they were scrapping
with each other half the time.
AT about the worst stage Of the
game one day a rather strenuous Incl
dent occurred. 1t was the funniest and
strangest duel that I ever saw or heard
of. One of the cowboys was swinging
| through the arena with a pair OF
| leather Snaps over his shoulders
snaps, you know, being those heavy
leather or bearskin breeches the cow
boys wear-when, as he was passing by
one of the Spanish gendarmes, he ac-
cidentally struck the Spaniard lightly.
The gendarme stopped him and a
lively colloquy ensued, the expressions
becoming more and more excited,
neither understanding the other, until
the Spaniard went after the American
cowboy with his sword. By this time
the entire troupe and the audience had
turned their attention from the show
to the side show which had just start
| ed.
"The American had no gun or knife
or sword, and so when the Spaniard
attacked him with his sword he fought
back with the snaps which he had car
ried on his shoulders. At first the Of
Gcious official took the offensive and
thrust his sword several times into
the leather Snaps, but the cowboy
warded off any serious blow at him.
self, and then when the Spaniard had
become a little tired, the strong cow
boy went after him with the snaps and
gave him the worst licking I ever saw
one man give another. He raped
him over the head and shoulders and
beat him down until he was thoroughly
thrashed, the crowd meanwhile taking
keen interest in the affair. He had
no trouble with the Spaniards after
that.
I'VE had other funny old times there.
Once my wife and I went to buy a
turkey for Christmas. They are so
poor there in Spain that it is consid-
cred luxury to buy even hind leg of
the bird, and so when we ordered a
whole turkey we had a crowd follow
ing US all the way home.
when we were in Germany, at Ben
feldt, the mayor gave hunting party
in honor of Colonel Cody, Annie Oak
| ley and some of the others In the
show, and in the party he was so care
full of his dignity that he insisted on
riding on horse with his silk hat and
white gloves. We gave him west
ern horse of the gentlest kind. Away
we went along the paths and across
field and finally to q ditch. All went
over but the mayor. and he would have
gone over all right, but as the horse
lifted he pulled him up and down In
the ditch rolled the mayor, the silk
hat, the white gloves and the horse.
When his honor came up he had gain
ed much in mud, but had lost much of
his dignity.
"At night, after having recovered
somewhat from the jolt, the mayor
gave dinner. 1t was in Alsace, where
they have French wines sixty years
old, and think they have not done their
duty unless they have drunk their
guests under the table. The mayor
could speak little English. but In his
broken speech, not knowing me, ven
tured a toast We will drink to dos
health of Fraulein Annie Oakley. l
hopes she will soon get married und
hat Won large family The laugh had
hardly subsided when he proposed an
other: Here's to this man Buffalo
Bill or Colonel Cody, from America.
1 will only say l hope l will If long
enough to plant laurels on his grave. y
New Orleans Picayune.