Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1915-01-07
MANS
FIGHT
By M. QUAD.
By M. QUAD.
Copyright, 1914. by the Mcclure
Newspaper Syndicate

y
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 Il 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 as
Don. The girl was Il 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 Next
can one evening approached fire 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 a contemplate thing
to do, and but for the civil authorities
the Mexican would have been lynch
ed AS it was, he was kicked and
beaten and bounced out of camp. A
day or two later. as the girl had gone
back on him. he tried to carry her off
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 to her and laughed
his tears to scorn He had relative
in the city and was taken in and cared
for. while the Mexican crossed the Rio
Grande for time 1t was year later,
and Jacks old outfit and all his friends
happened to be in Santa Fe again
when Don returned He had grown
months We would have picked fuss
with him and shot him down, but Jack
Hines had no sooner heard of his pres
ence than he said:
'Boys, you must arrange for a duel.
| shall never rest content until | have
killed that Mexican"
But you are blind" we protested.
Never mind that. l must fight him
and kill him. blind or not, and the
whole of Santa Fe shall look on!''
When we found that he would have
it so we carried challenge to Don and
also asked the authorities to let US
have public duel Some weak OBJ
jections were made but they yielded
the point. A fight of some sort was
an hourly incident. and duels came off
two or three times a week
Eyes, | will meet the Americana" he
prick for one hour by the watch before
l 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? |
will be 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 his best friends said
that he had better die with a knife in
his hand than to live in helpless
state the rest Of his life. To three or
four Jack confded his belief that he
would triumph. His hearing had be-
come as acute as fOX's, and he
would make his ears see for him. He
was in perfect health. had the nerve
and courage of lion and he believed
he had chance.
At high noon Of an August day over
1000 people, many Of whom were WON
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 duel
with knives, and seconds and referee
were appointed. After each five min
utes there was to be a rest. Foremost
among the spectators was the girl who
had caused it all, and she was free to
say she didn't care who triumphed.
Each man was allowed to wrap his left
arm in serape or cloak, and all cheer
ing or advising was forbidden. The
blind man was pale faced and nervous
as the fight began. but his hard shut
teeth told of the determination in his
heart The Mexican was all bows and
smiles and confidence. and as he was
known to be an adept with the knife
groan went about the circle as the two
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
five-minute rounds they fought with
only few trifing scratches on either
side. but if there was any advantage
it was on the side Of the American,
who had the full sympathy of the
crowd, Mexicans and all When they
came out for the fifth round Don wink
ed and chuckled and said it was time
he began slicing ears off. Hines had
located his man in a hairs breadth,
and as they faced each other the Amer
Jean leaped forward like 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 who
had blinded him. We who were only
five feet away could not follow the
movement. so swiftly was it made. bu'
it was a successful one and. of course
2<~1 roll fhC.