Democratic Sentinel, Volume 1, Number 24, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 July 1877 — A Fatal Duel About Five Dollars. [ARTICLE]

A Fatal Duel About Five Dollars.

Col. J. B. Vinton, Sheriff of Frio county, brought in word of the killing of two young men named Virgil Ridgeway and Frank Connelly. Ridgeway and Connelly aud two hired men were out on a cow hunt, and had camped near a Mexican’s house. Connelly went to Ridgeway aud asked for $5, saying that he wanted to go down t-o the Mexican’s house and gamble. Ridgeway gave him the money, but told him not to stay long. Connelly left and did not return as soon as expected, and, when he did return, Ridgeway told him that ho hail no further use for his services, and asked him to pay back the &5. Connelly said, “Maybe you think you can make me pay it back.” Ridgeway said he could

make him, and was going to do so. Connelly then drew his six-shooter, and Ridgeway picked up a "Winchester rifle and jumped behind a tree, and both fired at about the same time, and both were struck in the bowels. The two boys who were with them ran off and returned with assistance, after being absent a considerable time. Both the wounded men had crawled off together to a pool at some little distance, where they were found covered with mud— Connelly dead, and Ridgeway mortally wounded. Neither of the young men was over 18 years of age. —Galveston (Texas) News.