The two men began arguing on August 11, 1871, over local politics on election day in the "Red Front Saloon", located in downtown Newton.

McCluskie fled town to avoid arrest, but was only away for a few days before returning, after receiving information that the shooting would most likely be deemed self defense, despite the fact that Bailey never produced a weapon.

On August 19, 1871, McCluskie entered Newton and went to gamble at "Tuttles Dance Hall", located in an area of town called Hide Park.

After McCluskie's gun finally misfired, Anderson walked over him and shot him in the back several times.

Mike McCluskie died in the following morning, and an arrest warrant was issued for the wounded Hugh Anderson.

Although some records said that Anderson died after his duel, there were also reports that he survived his ordeal and came back to live with his family.

[4] Three years later, Hugh was said to have moved with his young son and several other family members to McCullock, Texas, and the 1880 Federal Census listed Hugh, 28, and son, Oscar, 7, living with his parents and working as a "stock raiser" in McCullock County.

In 1884, at age 32, Hugh married a second time, Mag Cooke and moved to Chaves County, New Mexico Territory, continuing his work as a stock man.

In 1910, Hugh is listed as a stock man and living with his married son, Oscar, and three grandsons.

Hugh Anderson was listed to have died on June 9, 1914, at the age of 62 while herding cattle in Lincoln County, New Mexico and getting struck by lightning.