Year: 1873

Truth Stranger than Dime Novel


A CORRESPONDENT of the New York World
writes the following account of fearful duel
which took place at Medicine Lodge, Indian
Territory, on the 4th instant. Tha parties were
Hugh Anderson, noted Texas desperate, aud
Kansas man named McCuskey, whose broth
er had been previously killed by the Texan
The correspondent says:


By the terms agreed upon between Richards
and Harding the seconds, me antagonists were
to fight With revolvers and Bowie-knives be
placed back to back at an interval of twenty
paces-to wheel and fire at given signal, and
after the first Interchange of shots to conduct
the fight as each one should deem il best to his
ad dvaDtaee


McCluskey, as he emerged from the house
where he had made his brief stay, looked pic
ture of manig strength and vigor. A tight 6t-
ting buckskn SHIRT and leggings, tastefully en-
broldered, set off his robust form to great ad-
vantage, and il was apparent to all that, in the
event of close encounter he would prove
terrible antagonist to his rival. His revolver,
OF Colts make, he carried in his right hand,
while his Bowie, encased in sheath of untann-
ed deerskin, rested on his lett hip, within easy
reach. Accompanied by Richards, who had
simply thrown off his coat and placed an extra
revolver in his belt, he proceeded quickly to the
place of meeting. replying briefly to the rough
salutations addressed him by the crowd. but
repeling cautiously the advance Of few of
the more curious who wished to learn from his
own lips the history of the present trouble. The
spot selected for the encounter was in the open
prairie few yards distant from the larger CT
the two store houses. The grass had been close
ly cropped by The cattle, leaving the turf firm,
yet elastic, and just the thing for rough-and-
tumble business His antagonist not yet bav-
ing made his appearance, McCluskey seated
himself on the grass and conversed earnestly
with bis second.


While engaged in taking notes of what was
passing in the crowd, cry of Here comes
Anderson with the old man. caused every one
to turn in the direction of Harding's house. =
Anderson. nerved probably, by the knowledge
of his great SIX i'll with the pistol, walked along
with jaunty, careless kind of air that gained
him maoy friends among. the lookers-on, and
made him still greater favorite in the betting.
He wore his usual dress save that a broad belt,
in which was stuck knife, confined his coat at
the waist, and he had charged bis light SOM
brero for a military fatigue cap. He passed by
close to where | was standing and our eyes
again met. Save that the look on his face bard
eued little. and he contracted his brow to a
visible scowl, there was nothing to indicate the
presence of any unusual mental excitement not
even when to take the position assigned him be
had to pass within an arm length of McClus-
key.


But little time was wasted in preliminaries.
The twenty races were quickly stepped OH and
the principals placed in their respective posi-.
tions The sun had long since set, aud the dark
pail of evening was rapidly settling on the spot,
so that neither could be annoyed by the rays OF
the sun, nor could either side complain OF hold
ing an inferior position The crowd drew back
to what was deemed safe distance, and the
seconds, after a moment consultation apart,
advanced to give the signal. The interest at
this moment in the proceedings was OF an In
tense nature and served to keep the lockers on
in state of breathless expectancy. Like stat
ues the figures of the two men who were to
fight poutrance doomed up against the West
ern sky, each with the muzzle OF his weapon
pointed to the earth, the intention clearly being
to make rising shot this Is, to lire, catch
ing the aim while the weapon IS being raised.
In this way he practiced hand rarely wastes
his ammunition in the air by shooting over bis
adversary's head, as SO often happens when the
falling shot is adopted.


The giving of the signal had fallen by lot to
Harding. Stating to the PRINCIPALS, who by
this time began to show signs Of lmpatlence,
that this would be the report of pistol, he
drew his own weapon and discharged 1t, hrst
asking the question and receiving the usual an
| swer that both were ready.


THE DUEL.


McCluskey was the first to fire, wheeling as
he did SO, though the smoke had scarcely curl
ed up from his pistol before the report Of And
erson' S weapon followed. A momentary pause
ensued, each of the antagonists closely scanning
! the other to note the effect of the shot. Across
Andersons cheek deep furrow. from which
the blood slowly began to trickle down, told th'
work of his antagonist, while McCluskey remain


ed standing ia his original posture, to all ap


pearances unharmed. But this was not th
| fact. Those nearest to him fancied they saw


sudden spasm, as of pain. pass through hi


frame, and his face certainly blanched to


death like pallor but just where the ball hat


taken effect they could not tell. At the secon
fire McCluskey again anticipated bis opponent


and taking more deliberate aim, succeeded i