The Elbert County tribune., 1910-04-15

coat pocket where in winter ne carried u phrt
nj his armament Matthews practice in draw
,ny for some reason failed to benefit him. His
p,,n seemed TO hang little in the scabbard. A
second later he had 1erked 1t free. ana stepping
behind Golfer, fred at Capt. Bill over the sher-
i6's right shoulder. But the slight hitcn spohed
Me 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.
Bill with a quick movement that was between
skip and a step, got around Golfer and let go two
shots In quick succession at Matthews Both Of
McDonald's bullets struck within the space of a
50-cent piece just above Matthews heart. pene.
trated thick plug of Star Navy. found heavy
notebook behind 1t. and stopped.
With a thought process which may be re-
garded as cool for such moment, Capt. Bill re-
allied that for some 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 1t was quieter. Capt
Bill was bending forward at the time. trying to
get shot around Golfer, and as the latter
dropped, Matthews fired, the bullet striking Nc.
Donald in the left shoulder, ranging down
through his lung to the small of his back. trav'
cling twothirds the length of his body for
Judgement
The Ranger was knocked backward but did
not fall. Matthews quickly fired again. but Nc
Donald near enough now to knock the gun
aside with MS own, ana tne Dali passed through
his hat brim Aiming at Matthews other shoul-
der. Mcdonald let go his third shot. and
Matthews fell
Meantime the two deputy assassins had
opened fire. and one of them had sent two bull
let's through McDonalds left arm. To these he
gave 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. His
fingers were paralyzed by this wound and he
made an effort to cock his gun with his teeth:
but there no further need, for with the col
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 post there, and holding to this he
eased himself to a sitting position. A man ran
up to him.
cap, how about it,"
We'll. think I'm a dead rabbit"
They gathered him up and took him to a drug
store, and they took Matthews to a drug store
across the street. BY and by they carried Cant
Bill home. and doctor came to hunt for the
bullets.
Now. Doc" the Ranger captain said when the
operation was over. and the surplus cargo had
been removed. now. I'll get well;" 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 I'll"
she declared.
Matthews died in a 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 and
apologize"
Tell him that I'm doing all right" was the an
swer returned, "and that hope he'll get we'll"
The mendlng OF Capt Bill was slow process
For about two months he was laid up and then
with his wife he sojourned for time at SAM.
tarium. After that he up once more, ready
and eager for action-apparenty as fit as ever,
though. in truth. the physical repairing was
never quite complete.