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Deadly Duck LbNA #68280

Owner:Adoptable
Plant date:Not specified
Location: Boot Hill Cemetery
City:Tascosa
County:Oldham
State:Texas
Boxes:1
Planted by:Walksfar
Found by: Silver Eagle
Last found:Jul 14, 2015
Status:F
Last edited:Mar 18, 2023
From http://www.texasescapes.com

It started over a duck.

Caleb Berg (Cape) Willingham, first sheriff of newly-organized Oldham County, was in the Equity Bar, Tascosa’s oldest saloon, when he heard a commotion outside. Suddenly one of the town’s few ladies did something most ladies of the era would not – she ran into the drinking establishment.

“He killed my duck!” she yelled, pointing to a man outside. “Shot it just now.”

Willingham saw that the woman was referring to Fred Leigh, foreman on the LS Ranch. Leigh was known for his drinking and had been warned before about carrying a pistol in town.

“He did, did he?” the sheriff asked. “Well, now, don’t you worry. I’ll see that the gentleman pays you for your duck.”

Armed with a double-barreled shotgun, the big sheriff walked out and approached the cowboy to discuss the fair market value of domesticated migratory waterfowl.

“You’re in debt to this woman for that duck you shot just now,” the sheriff said. “You going to pay for it?”

“Hell, no, I ain’t going to pay for no duck,” the cowboy replied.

Willingham was in the process of reminding the cowboy that he was sheriff when he saw the drover’s hand moving toward the six-shooter on his hip. That ended the talking. The sheriff let loose with both barrels of his scattergun. With 18 pieces of buckshot in his body, the cowboy tumbled from his horse, as dead as the duck he’d blasted a short time before.

Not only had Leigh been killed on account of a duck, he had the added distinction of being the first person buried on a hill outside Tascosa that soon bore one of the most famous names in the Old West. Leigh having died with his boots on, saloon proprietor Jack Ryan thought it fitting that the new graveyard be called Boothill.

Go to Boys Ranch Entrance off US385 north of Vega. Do not enter the Ranch. Take a right turn at the Boot Hill Cemetery Entrance. Drive to the top of the hill and park. Walk through the wood entrance into the small cemetery. At the back corner is the grave of Bobby Hughes. To the right of him is a cactus bush. Behind a rock at the base of the bush is where you will find what you seek. Use a walking stick to retrieve the box so you don't get stuck.