Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-05-10
The Argus Daily Story
Deadshot-By F. Tracy Edmonds.
Copyrighted. 1911. by Associated Literary Bureau

ing even with an incubus on the town
like Skinner. but knew that to perpe-
trate such a scheme would bring upon
them the contempt of their fellow citi-
zens.
One OF the trio. Gus Harbeson, vol
unteered to pit himself against Skin
ner. He was to give Skinner cause to
kill him. This looked very unseiish,
very noble. on the part OF Harbeson,
but he said that he was intending to
try to get an advantage over his enc
my that would put him under ground
instead of himself. He didn't say how
he proposed to accomplish this desira-
ble result, for 1t was not necessary
that he should do so, and his plans
might leak out.
Harbeson had been considered the
black sheep of his family. He had
run away from home when a boy and
entered the service of a telegraph COM
pany. From there he had gone TO sea.
After two years before the mast he =
drifted west in prairie schooner and
now at twenty-five found himself a
miner. Young and strong. he feared
nothing. Besides, he was in love and
| cuuuchly DeCODl6 Sc1SlDie OF tue
fact that he should do something to
counterfeit his record, that his sweet
heart might be the more Inclined to
| listen to his suit.
Dave Perkins told the girls that q
movement was on foot to eliminate
Skinner. begging them to wait awhile.
and they consented. week passed,
and Skinner was still alive. The
young ladies resumed their packing.
The citizens who had hoped for much
when they had adopted the plan for
building the church were discouraged
Skinner seemed to be gathering cour-
age, for he was heard to say that IL
he did lay himself liable to the fine he
didn't believe the committee would
dare In his case to attempt its collec-
ton. This indicated that he had pre-
pared for a desperate fight and that
some of the committee must be sacri-
feed In order to get rid Of him.
The dependency was at bottom level
when one morning Skinner emerged
from the Empire saloon and, turning
eastward, sauntered down the street.
He literally bristled with weapons, for
he understood that his fellow towns
men wished to get rid OF him, and he
was resolved that II they did some of
them must first bite the dust. There
were q number of persons out. But
this morning instead of looking at the
walking fortress they were staring in
the opposite direction at Gus Harbe-
: son, who a few moments after Skim
ners appearance had emerged from
ITO ~ Nth v.fra III
hat on his head.
, "By gum" exclaimed a citizen, "ef
, Harbe hain't got one O. them machines
, the hatters in big cities put on a mans
head to take his measured
Harbeson walked down the street,
receiving the jeers of the citizens
Skinner looked at him with the rest,
and the desperado'S face broke into
|, | grin. As he and Harbeson drew near
! together Skinner called out:
What v maxim guy O. y'seif that
away for?"
''Who says I'm maxim a guy O. my
self" retorted Harbeson.
!, ~ know y're dom it y'self," re-
- piled Skinner bristling.
you say that again. cried Harbe-
son angrily.
The bystanders began to get out Of
the way. There was not a sign of a
weapon about Harbeson, but they
knew that If he kept up that kind Of
talk with Skinner a bullet would go
,. through him and might hurt some one
else.
n what " mean sassin' me that way p
snarled Skinner, putting his hand to
+ his hip.
o The band Of Harbesons hat was
g pierced with little round holes. From
one OF these holes came a puff of
: smoke. Skinner staggered, put his
d hand to his hip and got a revolver mid
d way between his waist and his chin
l. when Harbeson inclined his head about
d five degrees, several simultaneous puffs
e and reports followed. and SINNERS
It arm was shattered. Harbeson then
h turned his head in a horizontal circle.
l. There were more explosions through
d his miniature portfolios, and Skinner
l. fell dead.
e By this time every man, woman and
10 child in Deadshot was out Of doors TO
: learn what was going on. When those
nearest the scene Of action saw what
s had happened they raised joyful
E. shout, which was taken up by those
er who were next and borne on down the
d thoroughfare till it reached the limits
20 of the town. Then all crowded around
p. Harbeson to examine the hat fort he
er wore on his head. He showed them q
n battery in the small of his back con
er nected by wires with little guns in his
lie headpiece. while other wires ran down
his arms, ending in circuit keys in his
In hands.
to Skinner was buried the same day
lg and the citizens, after celebrating theii
ID relief from gun rule, held meeting a.
ly which they levied a tax on themselve:
n for funds TO build the church. Tit
n three lovers and their girls were mar
1r ried at triple wedding, and the name
IN Of the town was changed from Dead
ly shot to Harbeson.
no Nav 10 80 a o,z~ioaa