Clark County Clipper, October 16,
1884
A Close Call.
A shooting affray occurred yesterday at the "K" ranch, twelve miles
southwest, in which one man was shot and his horse was killed from under him.
The parties were a cowboy, named McVickers, from Johns ranch and J. W. Anderton,
foreman at the "K" ranch.
It appears that for some time there has been a dispute about the range, Johns
claiming Anderton's territory. Besides this, both filed on the claim on which
the "K" ranch is located, though McVickers did not pretend to live on it, and
Anderton says he never spoke to him until yesterday, when they were rounding up
their cattle. They had some short words regarding the moving of some of their
herds. McVickers became enraged, and rode off after his pistol, saying he would
kill Anderton. In a short time he returned to where Anderton was sitting on his
horse, with his leg thrown over the horn of his saddle, talking with a number of
the round-up outfit. No one suspected that he meant to carry out his treat, but
within ten feet of Anderton he began shooting at him. The first shot struck in
his hat band, plowing a furrow in the left side of his head to the skull. The
second passed through the crown of his hat at the top, just missing his head,
while the third struck his horse in the shoulders, killing him almost instantly.
Recovering from the momentary shock of the first shot, Anderton righted himself
in the saddle, grabbed his pistol, and the two exchanged shots till their six
shooters were empty. McVickers then rode off, reloaded, and started back, but a
young man named Beverly covered him with his pistol and stopped further trouble.
Mr. Anderton has the reputation of being quiet and inoffensive. He came in last
evening, and Dr. Stockinger dressed the wound, which is not thought to be
dangerous.
Submitted by ~Shirley Brier~ in September 27, 2005.
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