The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1909-02-12
FATAL DUEL AND DOUBLE
KILLING AT LEADWOOD,
Quarrel Over Woman Both Loved Re
suits in Death Of John Hughes
and George Kstchers.ae.

A fatal duel, In which both prin-
cipals were killed, took place at
Leadwood, in this county, last Sat
urday night. The details Of the af-
fair, a. given by a correspondent Of
the st. Louis Daily Republic, are
as follows:
DeslOge, Mo. Feb. 7.--Crazed with
jealousy over a woman they both
loved, John Hughes and George
Ketcherside fought revolver duel
TO the death ut Leadwood last night.
They opened fire upcn each other at
close range, and fell, one across the
other. Ketcherside was killed in
stnntly and Hughes died twenty
minutes after the shooting.
Mrs. Adams, u widow, over whom
the duel was fought, saw It from n
window Of her home. She became
( hysterical and II was some time be-
fore she could tell coherent story
Of the tragedy.
The trouble which led to the shoot
ing was an old quarrel. Both men
had wooed Mrs. Adams for many
months aud each had made threats
against the other. 1t was known to
their friends that there WAS enmity
between them. Both were known IN
Leadwood as dangerous men.
The quarrel had Its beginning
several months ago, when Ketcher-
side lived at boarding. house con-
Quoted by Mrs. Adams. He had be-
come attentive to the widow and
was known as a favored suitor.
Then Hughes paid court TO Mrs.
Adams so diligently that his rival
became alarmed.
On several occasions the men had
talked of their trouble and only the
Intervention OF cool-headed friends
prevented fight. a truce was ar
ranged between them, however, each
refusing to meet the other socially
and both counting Mrs. Adams.
The quarrel broke into flame Sat
urday night when Ketcherside went
to the widows home and found
Hughes talking to Mrs. Adams.
The man and woman were standing
| In the doorway of the home when
lKetcherside appeared.
"What are you doing here9''
Ketcherside asked hotly. "Didn't
tell you to stay away from here?"
Hughes retorted botly that II was
none Of Ketcherslde's business, and
he would visit Mrs. Adams when.
ever he chose. The men qnarreled
bitterly, but the woman succeeded
In pacifying them for the moment.
| Hughes feft the place, going to his
home and arming himself. In few
minutes he returned to the widows
residence. Ketcherside was coming
out Of the front gate into Straight
street.
Without a word both men drew re-
volvers and began firing. They
were so close together that theii
chothing was powder-burned. Each
omptied five shots at arms length
| III the bullets taking effect. Keith
rside fell 10 the sidewalk. Hughes
offered over him a moment ant
hen sank down unconscious upon
ne body of his enemy.
When the first shot was fired Mes
dams ran to n window. All sh'
ould see IN tine darkness was the
iashing Of the revolvers and the
,hadowy forms almost locked In
ieath struggle. She screamed ant
ainted.
The shooting alarmed the village
den ran to the scene and picked NJ
lie bodies. Ketcherside was re
noved to the home of cousin
hughes, who was still breathing
sas taken to the home OF sister
irs. Crump, where he expired be
Il ore u surgeon reached him.
| He was not able to tell anything
| ( the silooting.
| ins duel stirred the little viiiagt