HOW AMERICAN CATTLE KINGS SETTLE THEIR DIFFERENCES.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3582, 4 January 1883, Page 4

HOW AMERICAN CATTLE KINGS SETTLE THEIR DIFFERENCES.

[From the Denver Republican.] John Kelly, one of the participants in the famous " cow-boy duel," arrived hero recently. He is a remarkable man. Born in JBivii'allo about thirty years ago, he came "West at an early ajje, and became pretty ■well known as " Kid Frank." After leading an adventurous life he married a well-to-do Mexican woman, and by her secured a fine ranch forty miles square in Old Mexico, on the San Pedros Iviver, close to the line. He became known far and ~v\ ide by his ski l ! in shooting, and -was generally avoided by men desirous of killing someone for the sake of notoriety. His herd grew rapidly until about, four months ago, Vv'hen he found his brand of 3000 head of cattle, ■worth nearly §100,000. He determined to .sell 2-300 head, and gathering up I'lOO head more, ho started to drive to Denver, a distance of neai'ly 1,500 miles. His outfit consisted of thirty-two cow boys, and Frank took commaud of the expedition. The trip was a very long - and severe one, but by using great care the losses were ■small. The parties started on May 23, and made a slow march across the burning plain.* and trackless wastes of Arizona and New Mexico, until September S found them fifty miles north of Trinelacl and an equal distance cast of Cucharas. Tho Kelly outfit ■went into camp for a day near the camp oi George Howard, a large cattle-grower. The latter had a herd of 3000 cattle, and commanded twenty-eight cowboys. The twe herds became mixed up -while travelling close together, and Howard made a elain for cattle which Kelly considered unjust and refused it. This angered Howard, am "words followed. Kelly claimed llowarc had some of his cattle and offered to exchange, but the latter refused, and the quarrel became very dangerous. The cowbJ3"s on each side gathered around, ami began to handle their weapons in a mannei which indicated that they meant business. Kelly saw the danger. Ho knew if a fight should occur between such deadly marksmen there would hardly be a niai: left to tell the tale, and in addition to the loss of human life the huge herds of cattle would be scattered and all hands ruined. Just as the cloud of war was about to bursi lie conceived a plan to avoid bloodshed, ant broaeheel it to Howard, who agrecel to it. The plan was as follows: —Each was te select six cowboys, the best shots in then outfits, and placing them in line fifty yard; distant on horseback, to give the wore' "Fire!" and let them settle the dispute This novel method of settling a different was hailed with elelight by the men on eacl side, and volunteers were numerous. Ivo selected six men who hael been with him ; long time, anel been tried and provcel ii many a desperate situation. Howart selected six of his best men. There was ik time lost in preparing for the duel, whicl "was to be the greatest affair of the kint ever known. The men of the opposing sides retired to the camp anel eotilly maele preparations for the feast of death. They groomed their horses, oileel and cleansed their revolvers, and. putting their saddle; on with care, roele out to tho fight. "Kie Frank's" men were armed with "Winchester revolvers,. 38 mid 14 calibre, lem<: barrels ; and Howard's six carried Colt'; improved. Each man knew his weapoi and his horse, and all were fully aware o; the faot that the men standing so grimly ii front of them were eejrially well equipped. The opposing duellists were drawn up ii line facing each other at three o'clock ii tho afternoon. The sight Avas one whicl few men have looked upon. IFif h\ yards apart stood like statues twe lines of men, horse auel rider almos one, every duellist grasping a hugi glittering revolver in each hand, with th< reins in his teeth, or hanging loo.selv. for those dare-devil rielers of the Soutl guide their horses with their knees, as the scarely more savage Indian docs. Aroune about, carelessly in the range of stray bullets, were the friends of both parties, mounted on their horses, watching the figlii and to see that no advantage should "be taken. At either siele was the chief whe had sent these men out to die. Over all brooded a death-like silence, while on all the swelling, rolling, silent plain shone the gold of the bright September sun. The man who "was detailed to give the word which was destined to create a -whirlwind of death started forwarel. At the first move there was a shiver of life along both lines, but it was not a shiver of fear. Each man straightened himself, grasped his pistol the firmer, and singled out his opponent. The umpire lifted his hand, and suddenly on the st'll air came the cry of eloom, "Fire!" At the "word twelve horses bounded forward, and twelve pistol &hot« rant;- out. Three oi Howard's men threw tip their hands anel fell from their horses, while only one of Kelly's men fell. Kelly's men, not heeding their comrade's death, sped straight toward the three men in front of them. The lattci dropped their pistols in their bridle hand.* anel piillcd their horse up, while their five enemies came riding - swiftly on, pouring a hail of bullets in from a, pistol in every hand. The Howard men saw the odels. They were too great, and, turning swiftly, they ran, turning in their saddles as they flew, anel bravely returning the fire. In three brief minutes the dual was fought and won, and four dead, men lay upon the ground. Frank roele up to Howard and said, " Now you and I will .settle with each other." "jSTo," replied Howard, as he looked sadly at the elead men ; "I am satisfied." " Very well," said Kelly, and orders were given to exchange the cattle.