Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1916-12-07

IA camp was man who called
Z himself Harry Crawford. He
"A n was q man Of perhaps TWEEN
ty-fve years, tall. rather slender, with
a clear face and laughing blue eyes.
Nothing in his appearance indicated
the desperate, and yet we had long
known him as one Of the Morton gang.
This man now took up his residence in
camp, and we soon discovered that he
was evidently the killer. The first
afternoon he picked some sort Of a
petty quarrel with Thompson over q
purchase, but cooled down instantly
when unexpectedly confronted by q
half dozen miners who came in at the
OppOrtune moment. 4 few days after
ward in the slack time of the after
noon Thompson, while drinking at the
bar Of the Empire and cOnyersing with
a friend, was approached by a we'll
known sOdden hanger-On of the sa-
looms.
"What are you fellows talking
about?" demanded this man impu-
IDENTIFY.
"None of your business" replied
Thompson impatiently, for the man
was a public nuisance and besides
was deep in Thomps0ns debt.
The man broke into foul OathS.
"Tll dare you to fight" he cried in
a furious passion.
Facing about, Thompson saw CraW-
ford standing attentively among the
listeners and instantly comprehended
the situation.
You have the odds of me with a
pistol" said Thompson, who notori
ously had no skill with that weapon.
'Why should l fight you:"
"Well, them" cried the man, put up
your fists. That'll show who is the
best man.
He snatched off his belt and laid it
on the bar. Thompson did the same.
"Come onr' cried the challenger.
backing away.
Thompson, thoroughly angry, reach
ed over and slapped his antagonist.
The latter promptly drew another re-
voler from beneath his coat. but be-
fore he could aim it Thompson jump
ed at his throat and diSarmed him. At
this moment Crawford interfered, APP
parently as peacemaker. Thompson
was later told secretly by the barkeep-
Ell that the scheme was to lure him
into a pistol fight in the street, when
Crawford would be ready to shoot him
as soon as the first shot was fired.
On the strength Of this interference
Crawford next pretended to friendship
and spent much Of his time at ThOmp-
sons store. Thompson was in no way
deceived. This state of affairs cOntin-
ued for two days. 1t terminated i'll
the following manner: Crawford, sit
ting half Oh the counter and talking
with all the great charm of which he
was master, led the subject to weap-
OnS.
This revolver of mine" said he, at
the same time drawing the weapon
from its holster, lis one of the OLD
navy model. You don't often see them
nowadays 1t has a double lock" He
cooked it as though to illustrate his
point, and the muZzle, as though by
accident, swept toward the other man.
He looked up from his affected close
examination to find that Thompson
had also drawn his weapon and that
the barrel was pointing uncOmpromis-
ingly in his direction.
For Il moment the two stared each
other in the eye. Then Crawford
sheathed his pistol with an oath.
What DO YOU mean by that?' he
cried.
that | do not intend you shall get
the advantage of me. You know my
opinion Of you and your gang. | shall
not be shot by any of you if l can
help it,
Crawford withdrew quietly, but lat
er in the day approached a big group
of US, one of which was Thompson.
There's a matter between you anG
me has got to be settled.'' he cried.
well, can't imagine what it is
replied Thompson. I'm not aware
that I've said or done anything to you
that needs settlement"
You needn't laugh" replied Craw-
ford, with a string Of insulting oaths.
You're coward. and if you're any
thing of a man you will step out OF
doors and have this out"
II am, as you say, coward" re-
Piled Thompson quietly, land l see no
reason for going out of doors to fight
you or anybody else"