Red Creek Tribune - January 23, 1876

SUNDOWN SHOOTOUT SURROUNDING STOLEN STEEDS

by Silas Furgenson, owner Red Creek Tribune

          The peaceful days of our quiet little town seem to be a thing of the past. Indeed the death knell for our tranquility might have well been the shot that killed our Sheriff, Lloyd Barker just three weeks ago. Rumors are the Sheriff was slain by Kid Holmes, said to be the fastest draw in the West. And now we find our self with a new lawman, Marshal Snake Johnson, who apparently has been on the trail of this outlaw for some time. Well it is my sad duty to report to you fine folks that the feud between these two gunslingers has spilled over into our town and cost us dearly.
            A deadly shootout happened just this evening up in the foothills outside of town. It seems that this outlaw Kid Holmes used the cover of yesterday's storm to sneak onto Wyatt and Maude Mitchelson's ranch and steal a string of prized ponies. Marshal Johnson, eyeing the scene, thought that the Kid had help for there were several tracks. The Marshal formed a posse earlier today and headed into the hills where he believed Holmes is hiding. The posse included John Roberts, our new Deputy, Wyatt Mitchelson, young sharpshooter "Shots" Scafe, Kevin Guilderman ( a ranch hand working for Mitchelson) , Jimmy Darling ( son of Hugh Darling owner of the lumber mill) and the Marshal himself.
            Apparently the Marshal lead this posse into the hills where sometime just around sundown they were ambushed and bushwhacked by Kid Holmes and his gang. This reporter has heard eyewitness testimony detailing the ferocity of this shootout. The first shot apparently killed the Marshal's horse and he went down under it. Bullets and smoke filled the air as the two sides squared off. Alas poor Jimmy Darling was the first to die. He caught a lead slug in the eye. Story is told of Deputy Roberts showing no fear as he stepped into gunfire to retrieve his body. The Deputy received a slight wound in the shoulder for his efforts. Young Guilderman also perished under fire. Marshal Johnson brought down two of The Kid's gang members, while Wyatt Mitchelson wounded a third. The identity of this wounded criminal might shock you, good readers. Reports are that he is none other than Johnny Cardwell, husband to our school marm Prissy Cardwell.
           This reporter has turned up reports that in the past few days Johnny Cardwell had amassed large gambling debts to Stan Masterson, resident card shark. It seems to pay for these debts he turned to crime. I am told that though Cardwell was shot in the chest, we has been patched up by Doc Thomas and is expected to live. No comment yet from his wife. Although after speaking to Miss Scarlett, of the Harlequin Honey Pot, there might be more than meets the eye to the Cardwells and Marshal Johnson's history.
          Sadly folks it seems that Kid Holmes made a clean get away during the gun play. Marshal Johnson vows to catch him very soon. The Marshal also wanted this reporter to mention the bravery of the fallen men, and of young "Shots" who leaped from a bolder to take out one of the gang members as he was preparing to shoot the Marshal in the back. The horses of the Mitchellson Ranch were recovered.
               Yes the slow quiet days of Red Creek might have left us for now good people, but rest assured that what ever happens. the Tribune will be there to let you know it.