Browning chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1941-1953, 1942-06-12

Win an Oatn. Feel went after MS
pistol. He and Rucker fired simulta-
neously. Peel was wounded through
thigh, cheek and shoulder, but Rucker
was an undertaker's case.
Peel was taken to the Salt Lake
House and shielded there by friends
while Miller, Conley and others clam
ored for his arrest. His sympathiZers
kept Peel's enemies ignorant OF his
condition until he could be moved to
place of concealment.
As soon as his condition permitted
Peel went to California and began
painting the Pacific coast red imme-
diately after his arrival. The death Of
Rucker. apparently, weighed deeply on
his conscience and his downhill course
from there on to the finish was rapid
Few Disputed Him
He associated only with the gamblers
and roughs and the height of his am
bition was to be their acknowledged
chief. The man who dared to dispute
this title with him either had no great
desire to keep on living or was ignor-
ant of Peel's dexterity with gun.
His wanderings at length led him
to Carson City, New, where his ex.
ploits formed sanguinary chapter ir
Eel Dorado Johnny" was one of the
characters put permanently out of cir
/ culation by Peel at Carson City. A
! few days before, Peel had challenged
one Dick Paddock to a fight, which
took place in front of a saloon. Pad.
dock was wounded three times but the
encounter ended without loss Of life
Eel Dorado Johnny" a friend Of
Paddock. was incensed by Peels treat.
ment of his pal and foolishly decided
to put the blast on Mr.. Peel himself
His efforts proved entirely unsuc.
cessful.
Spotting the object of his search ir
a saloon. he walked up to him anc
stated, while going for his gun:
Peel, I'm chief"
you're liar" Peel retorted, wheel.
ing and snatching at his hip A seconc
| later Johnny, with gun half-drawn
was dead as a butcher shop halibut.
A Short Partnership
In 1867, Peel, with John Bull a.
partner, hied forth to Helena, Mont
They quarreled enroute, but became
reconciled at Salt Lake City. Bull ar.
rived at Helena some weeks ahead o.
! Peel and when the latter arrived, Bull
had gone to examine the mines a.
Indian creek. He returned with a re.
port so favorable that Peel decided t.
go there at once.
! He came back in a week, thoroughly
disguised and eager to take Bull apar
| for sending him on such a wild goost
chase.
He met Bull at Hurley g. Chase.
saloon and chose him on the spot
Oaths were freely exchanged and Pee
was in the act of drawing his CUR
when Bull informed him that hi
wasn't "heeled"
Go then and heel yourself" Pee
demanded, slapping Bull in the face
/ Bull promised to do so.
I'll be back sure" he told Peel
! When you come" the latter replied
come fighting"
Bull needed this advice to the letter
He secured a pistol and, returning
saw Peel emerging from the saloon
Bull fired three times, before Pee
| could draw his gun, and killed him.
Peel was buried at Helena, and or
the crude slab that marked his grave
was this strange inscription.
Sacred to the Memory Of
LANGFORD PEEL
Born in Liverpool
Died July %, 1867
Aged So years
In life, beloved by his friends, and re-
spected by his enemies.
Vengeance is Mine, saith the Lord.
I know that my redeemer Liveth.
Erected by friend.
The friend apparently had the idea
that, as Peel did not have fair play
the Lord would avenge his death In
some signal manner The other sen.
tence was thought to properly express
the idea that the man was living who
would redeem Peels name from what
ever infamy might be attached to it.