The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1910-04-22

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of his armament. Matthews practice in draw
ing for some reason failed to benefit him. Ht
gun seemed to hang little in the scabbard. A.
second later he had jerked it free, and stepping
behind Golfer fired at Capt Fill over the sher-
ifs right shoulder. But the slight hitch spoiled
his AIM perhaps for the bullet missed, passing
through McDonald's overcoat collar, though the
range was so short that the powder burned his
face
The game could now be considered open. Capt.
Ri1l with quick movement that was between
skip and step, got around CoHer and let go TWO
shots in quick succession at Matthews. Both OF
McDonald's bullets struck within the space of
5O-cent piece just above Matthews heart, pene-
trated a thick plug of Star Navy, found heavy
notebook behind it, and stopped
With thought process which may be re-
garded as cool for such a moment Capt. Bill re-
allied that for some reason he could not kill
Matthews by shooting him on that side. and
shifted his aim. Matthews, meantime had
again lodged behind Golfer, who now dropped
fiat to the ground where it was quieter. Capt
Bill was bending forward at the time, trying to
get a shot around Golfer, and as the latter
dropped Matthews fred the bullet striking Nc
Donald in the left shoulder, ranging down
through his lung to the small of his back, tray
cling two-thirds the length of his body for
Judgement.
The Ranger was knocked backward but did
Donald was near enough now to knock the gum
aside with his own, and the ball passed through
his hat brim. Aiming at Matthews other Shout
der, Mcdonald let go his third shot, and
Matthews fell.
Meantime the two deputy assassins had
opened fire, and of them had sent two bull
lets through McDonalds left To these he
gave no attention until Matthews dropped.
Wheeling now he started to cock his gun, when
he received another ball, this time in his right
shoulder, along which it travelled to his neck
thence around the windpipe to the left side. His
fingers paralyzed by this wound and he
made an effort to cock his gun with his teeth;
but there was no further need, for with the coy
lapse OF Matthews his co-murderers fed wildly
to cover, behind the depot. nearly upsetting
boxcar in their hurry.
Capt Bill walked few steps to the sidewalk
There was post there. and holding to this he
eased himself to sitting position. A man raj,
up to him.
Cap how about it,"
well, think I'm dead rabbit"
They gathered him up and tool: him to a drug
store, and they took Matthews to drug store
across the street BY and by they carried Capt,
bullets.
Now. Doc" the Ranger captain said when tho
operation was over. and the su1plus cargo had
been removed, now, I'll get WE'LL" and Rhoda
Mcdonald, his nervy wife, who had arrived on
the scene, echoed this belief
If Bill Jess says he'll get well, he'll do it,"
she declared
Matthews died in few days. He was re-
moved to Childress and died there. Before his
death he sent word to Mcdonald:
you acted the all through" was his mes
sage. I'm only sorry that can't see you and
apologize"
Tell him that I'm doing all right" was the an
swer returned, "and that hope he'll get WE'LL"
The mending of Capt Bill was slow process
For about two months he was laid up, and then
with his wife he sojourned for time at sani
tarium. After that, he was up once more ready
and eager for action-apparently as fit as ever;
though, in truth, the physical repairing was
never quite complete