Brann The Iconoclast, vol 12 | Page 4

city campaign. According to Mr. Moore's statement, he
was standing with his back to the south facing the door and was
looking toward Austin Avenue. Davis was facing him, his back to the
avenue, and in a position which prevented him seeing anyone
approaching from Austin Avenue. Brann and his companion
approached coming south, and as they passed, Mr. Moore says, Brann
halted, looked him squarely in the face and passed on. Davis did not
see the editor and his manager, as he chanced to turn just as they came
up and as it happened he kept his back to the "Apostle" and his
companion. From Mr. Moore's office, Davis passed into the Pacific
Hotel bar and thence to his office. Brann and Ward soon after returned
to the Pacific; there they met Joe Earp of Laco, from the western part of
the county, and the three walked together to Geo. Laneri's saloon.
Brann and Ward passed into the saloon, Earp remaining on the outside.
They passed out within a short time and passed down Fourth Street to
the Cotton Belt ticket office. Thence on to the newsstand of Jake
French, and while there the shooting occurred.
. . .
As to the shooting there are conflicting statements. As in every tragedy
eye-witnesses differ and citizens of equal reputation for veracity and
conservatism tell different stories. They are all honest in what they say,
they all believe they saw what they relate, but the conflict in statements
is yet there.
Messrs. W. W. Dugger, Joe Earp, M. C. Insley and S. S. Hall agree as

to the first shot. They say it was fired by T. E. Davis at W. C. Brann,
when Brann's back was turned. Others say Ward participated in the
shooting, while numbers say that Ward did not. Here a conflict occurs.
At any rate, the first shot was fired by Davis, and it was immediately
returned by Brann. Ward got between the two and in the firing he was
shot in the right hand. Davis fell at the first shot from Brann's pistol and
writhed in agony. He soon recovered presence of mind and raising
himself upon his elbow returned the fire, Brann standing off shooting
into the prostrate form, while Davis with unsteady aim was returning
the fire. Every bullet from the "Apostle's" pistol found lodgment in the
form of the duelist engaged with him. All was excitement. It was an
hour, 6 P.M., when South Fourth Street was crowded, and the rapid
report of the pistols caused a stampede of pedestrians, each of which
feared contact with a stray bullet. In it all there was one who displayed
his devotion to duty, his bravery and coolness--Police Officer Sam S.
Hall. Mr. Hall was standing near the insurance office of George Willig,
not forty feet away. He turned at the first report, and seeing the duel in
progress, bravely made his way toward the men. Brann was shooting
from the north, and it was toward the north the officer started. Davis
was facing north. At each fire of the gun Officer Hall would screen
himself in a doorway, dart out and rush to the next, gradually nearing
them. Officer Dave Durie was across the street, and he started also, but
Officer Hall reached them first, but too late. Each man had finished
shooting, Davis had fallen back upon the pavement and his pistol rolled
from his hand. Brann was standing, pistol in hand, its six chambers
empty, looking upon the lengthened form of his antagonist. He had not
spoken. Wounded in three places, blood was soiling his linen and his
clothes. He was yet upon his feet, and Officer Hall, not knowing how
serious were his wounds, started with him to the city hall, being joined
almost immediately by Officer Durie.
Davis was wounded in many places. Bullets had plowed their way
through flesh and bone, and unable himself to move, blood flowing
freely from various wounds, his friends lifted him tenderly and gave
him comfort as best they could, surgeons responding quickly to the
call.
Ward had been in the midst of the fray, but received but one wound, in
the hand. He was between the two men at one time and then sought

safety against the wall. When the smoke cleared away he went to the
Old Corner drug store to have his hand dressed. Here he was arrested
later by Deputy-Sheriff James Lockwood.
During the shooting Eugene Kempner, a musician of Kansas City, was
struck in the sole of the right foot by a stray bullet, and a street car
motorman, Kennedy by name, was struck in the left leg by a bullet.
Neither of these injuries are serious.
While in the news stand, Mr. Davis became conscious of approaching
dissolution and desired to