P a g e 8 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 rect as Mr. Dorr had told it. During the afternoon James Olson was found at the Montana hotel. He was asked about what had been told by Dorr, and claimed it was true with the exception of the statement made by Dorr that he (Dorr) was going to come out the winner. He had not selected a second but had engaged a man to arrange preliminaries. He had lots of friends and was not bothered on that score. All he wanted was to get at his man and he was going to do it the next morning at 9 o’clock. Each man was asked if he were not drunk or crazy to think of such a thing, but both were serious and claimed that one or both must die. The city marshal was found at the city hall in company with Policeman Keim and Constable Houtchens about 4:30 in the afternoon. They had not heard a word about it until informed by the reporter. At first they thought it was a hoax, but were soon convinced that it was really true that Dorr and Olson intended to fight a duel. Whether they will be of the same opinion this morning is another question. If the men are in the same frame of mind today as they were yesterday they are liable to go to the dueling ground; in such an event they will be nabbed by the police and the undertakers cheated out of a job for a time at least. The above article appeared in the Daily Missoulian on November 15, 1896. CITIZENS INVITED Another short article from the same day’s paper cheerfully invited citizens to watch: Look out for the duel this morning. By taking a position on the Bitter Root bridge, you will be out of the range of shots, probably, and can have a good view of the combatants. DUEL DIDN’T COME OFF Finally, on the following day, November 16, the Daily Missoulian found that they were sawn off the dueling limb they had been perched on. A sheepish article acknowledged that it never occurred: That duel didn’t come off yesterday according to plans and specifications. The principals, it is claimed, overslept themselves. –Don Gilder Don is a Missoula, Montana native with an inherent interest in local history. Three of his four grandparents were born in Montana and several family members homesteaded and prospected Missoula’s Target Range. He shares his love of history at his blog: www.oldmissoula.com because the past really matters! My/Donor Information: SUBSCRIBE TO THE GHOST TOWNS AND HISTORY OF MONTANA NEWSLETTER! Renewal? Y/N Send a Gift to: NAME____________________________________ NAME___________________________________ ADDRESS__________________________________ ADDRESS_________________________________ CITY______________________________________ CITY_____________________________________ STATE__________________ZIP________________STATE_________________ ZIP________________ Yearly subscriptions are $19.95 (published monthly). Please make checks payable to Ghost Towns & History of MT, LLC and send with this clipping to P.O. Box 932 Anaconda, MT 59711
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