The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1910-04-14

coat nocket where in winter he carried part
NJ his armament Matthews practice In draw
ing for some reason failed to benefit him. His
Gun seemed to hang little in the scabbard.
second later he had jerked It free, and stepping
behind Golfer fred at Capt. Bill over the sher.
,f's right shoulder. But the slight hitch spoiled
his aim, perhaps. for the bullet missed. passing
through McDonads overcoat collar. though the
range was so short that the powder burned his
face.
The game could now be considered open, Capt.
Dill with a quick movement that was between
shin and STEP got around Golfer and let go two
sbots I'm quick succession at Matthews. Both OF
NcDonalds bullets struck within the space OF a
5O.cent piece Just above Matthews heart, pene-
trated a thick plug Of Star Navy. found heavy
notebook behind It. and stopped.
With n thought process which may be re-
garded as cool for such 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
fat to the ground where It quieter. Capt
Bill was bending forward at the time, trying to
get n 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 twothirds the length of his body for
Judgement
The Ranger was knocked backward but did
not fail. Matthews quickly fired again, but Nc.
Donald was near enough now TO knock the gun
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 assassns had
opened fire. and one OF them had sent two bull.
let's through McDonald's left arm. 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 1t Travelled to his neck,
thence around the windpipe to the left side. Hla
fingers were parayzed by this wound and he
made an effort to cock his gun with his teeth:
but there was no further need, for with the col.
lapse of Matthews his comurderers fed wildly
to cover. behind the depot, nearly upsettng n
box.car In their hurry.
Capt. Bill walked few steps to the sIdevorr
There was post there. and holding to thIs ba
eased himself to q sitting position. man ran
up to him.
cap. how about IT,"
We'll l think I'm dead rabbit"
They gathered him up and took him to n drug
store, and they took Matthews to A drug store
across the street BY and by they carried Can't
i'iii nome. and doctor came to hunt for the
bullets. ~
Now. Doc" the Ranger captain said whom the
operation was over, aud the surplus cargo had
been removed. now. I'll get WE'LL" and Rboda
Mcdonald. his nervy wife, who had arrival on.
the scene. echoed this belief
III Bill Jess says he'll get we'll, 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 man all through" was his mes
sage' I'm only sorry that can't see you aud
apologize"
Tell him that I'm doing all right" was the an.
'wer returned. land 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 a sani-
arium. After that. he was up once more. ready
md eager Tor action-apparenty as fit as ever;
housh' IN truth. the physical repairing was
never quite complete