River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1910-04-14

coat nocket where in winter he carried part
of his armament. Matthews practice IN draw
mo for some reason failed to benefit MIN. Ills
orn seemed to hang little in the scabbard
Second later he had jerked it free, and stepping
bohind Golfer fired at Capt Bill over the sher-
;e,s RIGHT shoulder. But the slight hitch spoHeo
bis aim perhaps for the bullet missed, passing
through McDonald's overcoat collar, though inc
range was so short that the powder burned HIS
face. 80 ,,+
1,1 nth Quick movement that was between
skin and a STEP got around Golfer and let go tWc
cbo+s In quick succession at Matthews. Botn OF
McDonald's bullets struck within the space OF
5o-cent piece. just above Matthews heart pene'
trated thick plug of Star Navy, FOUND heaVy
notebook behind it, and stopped
With thought process which may De re-
qarded 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 mao
again lodged behind Golfer, who now dropped
fiat to the ground where 1t was qu1eter capt
Pill was bending forward at the time, trying to
get shot around Golfer, and as the latter
dronped Matthews fred 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 Tor
Judgement.
The Ranger was knocked backward but did
not fall. 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 assassins hao
opened fire, and of them had sent two nuF
lets through McDonalds left arm To these be
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 were 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 coli
lapse of Matthews his co-murderers fled wildly
to cover, behind the depot, nearly upsetting
box-car in their hurry.
Capt. Bill walked few steps to the sidewalk.
There was a post there, and holding to this he
eased himself to sitting position. A ran
up to him.
Gap how about it?"
well, think I'm dead rabbit"
They gathered him up and took him to drug
store and they took Matthews to drug store
across the street BY and by they carried Capt.
Bill home and a 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 WE'LL" and Rhoda
Mcdonald, his nervy wife, who had arrived
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 man all through" was his mes.
sage I'm only sorry that can't you and
apologize"
Tell him that I'm doing all right was the an
swer returned, land that hope he'll get we'll"
The mending of Capt Bill a slow process
For about two months he was laid up, and then
with his wife he sojourned for time al sani-
tarium. After that he up once more, ready
and eager for action-appareEtly as fit "a ever;
though, in truth the physical repairing was
never quite complete