AN EPISODE OF BUTCHERY IN AMERICA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5634, 6 December 1879, Page 7

AN EPISODE OF BUTCHERY IN AMERICA.

Particulars are given in the American papers of an extraordinary duel which occurred near Kansas between Jatnes Dob* bins and Michael Burns, resulting in the death of both men. Burns and Dobbins were farmers and neighbours, and lived in the Kansas Kiver bottom, six and a-half miles from the city, and two milt-s above the south end of the county bridge that spans the Kansas River. Four years ago Dobbin' got married, and at that time Burns lent him 80 dols. The money was never paid back by Dobbins, and on this account there was a feeling of enmity, between the men Towards the latter end of last month Burns came to town. Dobbins was at work on the road. On his way home Burns passed the place where Dobbias and others were working. The men did not have any- conversaion. To go to his house Dobbins had to pass by that of Burns. When Dobbins arrived in front cf Burns's house, he found i Burns standing before the door, revolver in band. Barns said, *'Jim, I want tnat money you owe me. " Dobbins made a reply which incensed Barns, bat, disregarding l»is Dobbins said, Throw down thit revolver and I can whip you." Burns threw down the revolver on the ground by his side, when Dobbins said, " You have the drop cn me now, but if you wait till I comi back 1 will be heeled to m-?et you " Dobbin* then drove his horses into his yard, and leaving them unhitched, ran into the house. Here he got two revolvers and started towards Burns's place. Burns was sitting on the doorstep a3 Dobbine ceme up, and before he had time to move, and without a word of warning to Bnrns, Dobbtus presented a revolver in each hand and opened fire. The balls from both revolvers lodged in 'heside of the house, Burns then ran into the house, got his pistol, and rushed out upon Do>bins. The men advanced to within two fe;t of each oilier before a shot was fired by either Dobbins tired first, the shot hittiug Kurus in the right forearm. Barns retnmed the tire and Sent two bullets through Dobbins's oh« st. Although wounded desperately, aud fast becoming weak from las of blood, Dobbins summoned srength e-iouyh to fire agai i, his return shot tearing into Barns abdomen an i passing thrrugh his b dy. Full of rage, Burns managed to raise his revolver and Uncharge it once more. Hi* last shot swiok Dobbins under the left ear, aud passed clo r through hi* head. Rushing tog-ther, the men clintihed each other aud fell t » thy ground, Dobbins being underneath. ttuni' then beat Dobbins on the head aud face with the butt end of his revolver. Supposing that Dobbins was dead, Burns wa* about have him, but with a desperate effort Dobbins turuel, and in a moment had again thrown Bums to the ground. One of the neighbours, a Mrs. Kalfton, appeared at th>s time, and pulled Dobbins away from Burns. Two young men coming up the men were separated. Burns was theu carried by the uit n to his own house, and th-y went back tjthe scene of th; tight to carry Dobbins away. Lifting the man to his feet, they walked on e.*uh s»de of him, supporting him between them. They had hardly goue live yards before Dobbins sauk down ou his knees and died in the woods. He died without saying a word. Hums lingered for two days, wheu he died. Hums was an unmarried man. Dobbins leaves a wife aud child.