The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1930-12-17
Just a Story or 7wo About
Famous Colonel McPhaiL
The "Walking Duel"

mel and Gates met in a saloon own
ed by Matt Offerman. Whatever diff
ferences there were between the two
men, and it was said that the most
important difference was an affair of
the heart, became accentuated after
they had consumed several drinks of
undoubted potency.
almost everyone was addicted to
drink at that time, so the colonel and
Gates were by no means pariahs,"
Mr.. Schmahl recounts. "On this part
ocular day the two nabobs drank
more than they could conveniently
manage, and along about II o'clock,
nearly resorted to blows. A person
al clash, however, was avoided in the
saloon, but suddenly the colonel, very
choleric, was seen to rush suddenly
from the street and make for his
home. He was followed a few Sec
onds later by Gates, who also made
off for his residence.
"No one knew what to expect" next
and then out on the street came the
colonel, fiourishing a great army
sabre whose high polish caused it to
flash menacingly in the sunlight. The
colonel brandished it about his head,
uttered fearful imprecations and set
out in search of Gates to straighten
out this affair of honor. Naturally,
the population of the town that was
aware of the furiousness Of the colo
mel, once he was aroused, sought COW
er behind doorways, up alleys, indoors
and in other places of refuge.
Gates Has Revolver
'The fearful onlookers didn't have
long to wait. Almost Immediately
out came Gates, in his hand des-
perate appearing revolver, one of the
kind loaded from the muzzle with
shot and ball. With such a display
of artillery, and with the colonel
roaring about, whirling that terrible
looking sabre as though it were a
trifiing toothpick, the outlook was ap-
palling. Everyone supposed the car
mage would be awful and maybe the
rising town of Redwood Falls would
be laid waste.
"And then the duel started. So
soon as he saw the colonel, Gates be-
gan sedate march down the govern
ment road that led to Beaver Falls.
After him went the colonel, also at
composed walk. The distance. be-
tween the men was about SO rods.
This distance was never lessened dur
ing the entire progress of the duel.
Gates, now and then would cast
fearful eye over his shoulder to make
certain the colonel wasn't gaining
ground, and on his SIDE, the pursuer
was just as chary. He caught up by
not so much as an inch.
Brewery Hats March
"No one in town had the nerve to
follow the duelists, but they marched,
with tremendous dignity, down the
road toward the spot where my
brother and were herding the town
cows. When we saw this remarkable
parade coming toward us, we quickly
hid ourselves behind a hedge, and
the complacent cattle obediently OPEN
ed the way for the men to pass
through.
"The duel lasted for two miles.
When the colonel arrived at what is
now North Redwood, he stopped at
the brewery of John Weiss for re-
freshments, and never took up the
chase again. Gates went on until he
came to the Minnesota river, which
he crossed and went on to Beaver
Falls. The colonel returned to Red
wood Falls the next morning, and
Gates came home a few days later.
The duel was never resumed"
Having come safely through this
titanic combat, the colonel died a
peaceful death on a farm in Lincoln
county in 1902. He had retired to try
and prove that orange trees and cof-
fee could be grown in Minnesota.
Folks in Milwaukee are of the
opinion that the sale of beer will be
made legal within short finoo.