The Washburn leader., 1915-01-08
ABLlND MANS
FIGHT
BY NJ QUAD
Copyright. 1914. BY the Mcclure
Newspaper Syndicate.

duel that ever took place In the United
States occurred ut Santa Fe. N. NJ.
many years ago. 1t occurred several
road and while yet every pound OF
goods going to the far west had to be
hauled across the great plains BY
freight wagons or sent around Cape
Horn by sea.
Two men in Rogers & Blair outfit
fell in love with the same girl in Santa
Fe. One was an American named Jack
Hines. and the other was full blood
ed Mexican. who was simply known a.
Don. The girl was half breed, and
none of us outside the two rivals
thought her worth fighting over
The affair had gone on for seven or
eight months before the outbreak
came. We were In Santa Fe, making
ready for start east, when the Mexi-
can one evening approached Ore be-
side which Hines sat alone and threw
a package Of powder on the blaze
With a leap aside he escaped conse-
quences, but Jack Hines was blinded
for life. 1t was contemplate thing
to do, and but for the civil authorities
the Mexican would have been lynch
ed. As 1t was, he was kicked aud
beaten and bounced out Of camp. A
day or two later, as the girl had gone
back on him. he tried to carry her on
by force. but had to let her go when
she stabbed him. Hines depended on
her pity IN his misfortune. but she
calmly told him that blind husband
would be of no use tn her and laughed
his tears to scorn. He had Il relative
in the city and was taken in and cared
for. while the Mexican crossed the Rio
Grande for Il time. 1t was year later.
and jacks old outfit and all his friends
happened to be in Santa Fe agnix
when Don returned. He had grown
uglier and meaner in the twelve
months. We would have picked u fuss
with him and shot him down, but Jack
Hines had 10 sooner heard of his pres
ence than he said:
"Boys, you must arrange for Il duel
I shall never rest content until | have
killed that Mexican!"
'But you are blind" we protested.
"Never mind that must fight him
and kill him. blind or not. and tile
| whole OF Santa Fc shall look on
When we found that he would have
it so we carried n challenge to Don and
also asked the authorities to let us
have a public duel. Some weak OBJ
! jectiOns were made. hut they yielded
the point. A fight Of some sort was
an hourly incident, and duels came on
two or three times "a week.
eyes. will meet the Americano." he
said. land I viii slice and cut and
prick for one hour by the watch before
give him the grand finish. The crowd
that looks on will see some Of the finest
knife play ever shown on this side OF
the river Tomorrow at noon. eh? I
will he as prompt as the sum-
| You may believe that when the re-
port spread about there was great
excitement. 1t was generally believed
that the blind man would fall an easy
victim. but even bis best friends said
that he had better die will, knife In
his hand than TO live in helpless
state the rest Of his life. To three or
four Jack contided bis belief that he
would triumph. His hearing had ber
come as acute as a fox's. and be
would make his ears zee for him. He
was in perfect health, had the nerve
and courage Of y Hon and he believed
he had chance.
At high noon Of On August day over
| 1900 people. many Of whom were wom-
| en-. assembled on the smooth turf to
witness the strange combat A ring Of
ropes was formed, and the spectators
formed another. 1t was to be a duet
with knives, and seconds and referee
were appointed. After each five min
utes there WAS to be rest. Foremost
among the spectators was the girl whs
had caused 1t all. and she was free to
say she didn't care who triumphpd
Each man was allowed to wrap his left
arm in n serape or cloak. and all cheer
ing or advising was forbidden. The
blind man was pale faced and nervous
MS the fight began. but his hard shut
teeth told Of the determination in his
heart. The Mexican was all t,ows and
smiles and confidence. and as he WAS
known to De 1M ADEPT with the knlIe
grOan went about the circle MS the TIVE
stepped forward to open the fight
| That duel was something to be re-
membered for all time. From the blind
mans movements no one could have
told that he was sightless. For four
lve-minute rounds they fought with
J only a few trifling scratches OH either
side. but II there was any advantage
1t was on the side Of the Amelica
who had the full sympathy Of the
crowd. Mexicans and all When they
came out for the 9th round Don wink
ed and chuckled and said 1t was time
he began slicing ears OF. Hines had
located his man IN hairs breadth.
and as they faced each other the Amer
ican leaped forward like q fash. caught
the knife on his and threw It to the
left. and the next instant his own blade
had found the heart of the man vine
had blinded him. We who were only
five feet away could not follow the
movement. 80 swiftly was 1t made, hlf
| IL yv.,a =, suooaRaf,H1 <,a1o aud ~ n6saS,aA