Rensselaer Republican, Volume 15, Number 2, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 September 1882 — A BORDER BATTLE. [ARTICLE]

A BORDER BATTLE.

Desperate Fight » Between Two Bands of Cpwboys. Several of the Contestants Killed at the First Fire. A recent dispatch from Denver says: The particulars of a strange duel between cowboys have just reached here. George Howard, owner of a herd of 3,000 cattle, and John Kelly, owner of a herd of 4,000, were * driving in company from Arizona east North of Trinidad, CoL, on the plains the two herds were to separate, Howard to take the old Santa Fe trail to Kansas City, and Kelly to drive north to Denver. On the way an accidental exchange of cattle had been made, and Howard insisted on having his stock, but was unwilling to deliver Kefly’a It was agreed to settle the matter in a battle between six picked men of each party. Accordingly the twelve men ranged themselves on horseback, the two sides fifty feet apart, and at a signal from the employers the fight began. At the first fire four men were instantly killed. George L. Ester, of Kelly’s party, was shot through the breast One of Howard’s men fell with a ball through his head, and two others of the same party were Bhot through the hearts. Dismayed, the Howard party, with the exception of their employer, fled to their camp Kelly then rode up to Howard and proposed that they fight it out Howard declined, saying that he understood the matter to be settled according to the terms of the battle made beforehand. This settled the matter. An equal exchange of the mixed cattle was made. The dead were buried by the men of both herds, and the two drovers and those in charge separated for their different destinations. Kelly drrived here to-ifight en route East, and it was from his lips the story was had.