P a g e 7 G h o s t T o w n s a n d H i s t o r y o f M o n t a n a N e w s l e t t e r The story went thus: ONE . TWO. T HR E E . F I R E . A Duel to Take Place on the South Side at 9 o’clock This Sunday Morning. PRELIMINARIES HAVE BEEN ARRANGED John Dorr and James Olson Will Shed Blood If the Authorities Do Not Interfere. “One. Two. Three. Fire.” These words have never been heard in Missoula but they will be this morning unless the police interfere. A duel is to take place on the flat near the Bitter Root bridge at 9 o’clock. Principals and seconds are ready, and a few invited friends will be on hand, also a physician if one can be found who is willing to run the risk of arrest, in order to have the opportunity to show his surgical skill. This was the news which came to the ears of a Missoulian reporter yesterday but he placed little credence in the story until it received startling verification from the lips of one of the principals, who came to the Missoulian office and gave a voluntary information about the affair on the tapis. He said it was sure to get in the papers and he was anxious to have it in right. The cause of the duel he wanted known, in order that his friends would know how it came about if he fell, but he did not propose to fall. His name, he said was John Dorr. He is a resident of Missoula. He had had trouble with a man named James Olson, a resident of the Big Blackfoot country. Several years ago they had a fight in which he succeeded in worsting his opponent. Not long after this they got into another altercation in which Olson whipped him. They were then even to all appearances until yesterday morning, when they met by chance at the Montana. After having a few drinks the old quarrel was renewed, when Olson struck him in the face. This was more than he could stand and he challenged Olson to a duel. His reasons for doing this, he says, was to settle their differences for all time. Olson accepted the challenge willingly, and being the challenged person had the choice of weapons. He named revolvers, 45-calibre, and the weapon was agreeable to him, as he is somewhat skilled in its use. They settled this matter among themselves before they called in friends to arrange all preliminaries, and, after having chosen two men they could rely upon, agreed to follow instructions. Their friends, after consultation, agreed as follows: The weapons to be used are Colt’s revolvers, 45-calibre. Seconds will load revolvers in the presence of the principals, the principals being allowed to examine the cartridges which shall be centre fire. Herom Hutter (Herman Huetter) shall be the referee and shall give the order to fire. The principals shall take their places back to back and walk forward when the order “march” is given until ten paces shall have been taken, when they shall stop at the command “halt,” remaining back to back. At the count of “One. Two. Three” the men shall turn face to face, but must not fire until the command “Fire!” is given. If neither fall at the first fire the men shall advance firing at will until one or both fall or until the pistol of each is empty. If neither succeed in killing or wounding the other in six shots the duel shall continue if either desires. Mr. Dorr said that Joe Smith was to be his second. As a favor he asked that the reporter would not tell the police. He had not engaged an undertaker and did not anticipate needing one, for he was going into the duel with the determination of winning. He was accompanied by another man who was a silent listener to all that had been said. When the man who accompanied him was asked what he knew about the affair he said it was cor
8 Publizr Home