February 28, 1900, Kansas City, Missouri. The Lee house was situated on a small hill and the posse split up, one group covering the front door, the second going around the back. ___?___ must have been watching from the window, for as the second group began circling the house he flung open the kitchen door and bolted.
Someone shouted, Thats our man and a Winchester cracked. ___?___ dived behind a small mound of snow. The barrel of a rifle slid over the edge of the tiny fort and a bullet plucked the hat from the head of a Kansas City police officer.
The battle lasted twenty-five minutes. During a short lull, Sayles ordered the outlaw to surrender. But there was no surrender in the dark-faced rider from Hole in the Wall. He sprang to his feet and stumbled through the snow toward the kneeling possemen, a six-shooter in each hand.
The law officers opened fire at the charging target. Almost torn in two by the hail of bullets, the bandit slowly slumped to his knees, then fell over on one side, his blood crimsoning the snow. As he stood over the dead outlaw Sayles thoughtfully fingered his torn coat. A bullet had traveled through the sleeve without scratching the skin.
(From James D. Horans Desperate Men)
