The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1888-05-12 00:00:00

DUEL TO THE DEATH.

The New York Herald reports the following sudden
and fatal encounter: "General Wirt Adams, one of
the most prominent men in the South, and con-
spicuous during the Confederacy, and John H. Martin,
editor of the New Mississippian, had a sudden
encounter yesterday in the streets of Jackson Miss.,
which resulted in the immediate death of both. This
terrible affair was the culmination of a long political
feud. General Adams, who was seventy years of age,
had been recently appointed postmaster by President
Cleveland, and Martin, who was a prohibition fanatic,
had assailed him in his paper, its last number being
particularly abusive. The two met by chance in a prin-
cipal street, when each simultaneously drew a revolver
and opened fire upon the other. Several shots were ex-
changed. Adams, pierced through the heart, was the
first to fall, and then Martin, who expired in great
agony from wounds in the abdomen. General Adams
was Assistant Secretary of War to the Texas Republic
under General Sam Houston in 1839. He was offered&
place in the Cabinet of Jefferson Davis, but preferred
active service in the field, and was conspicuous in every
battle fought by the Confederate Army of Tennessee.
His immense cotton estates were confiscated by the
Federal Government, but subsequently restored, and
be took the ironclad oath. Martin was a fiery young
journalist of the border type, but much respected for
his sincerity."

THE eruptions of Vesuvius seem to have been for
the present arrested. It is suspected that something
is the matter with the cratcr.

- .
IT is right for young people to use a license to get
married, but they shouldn't use too- awn license
atterwaras; - .

AN ugly wart is a difficult thing to get off one's
hands. An ugly daughter is still more difficult.
Jr is not so honourable to descend from a high
ancestry as to ascend from a low one.
SPEAK low, ladies; and yet always endeavour to be
high-toned women.
"ALL the world's a stage," but the fare does not
suit everybody.
TILE post-office department has made new regula •
tions in regard to uncalled-for letters. We have
lately seen a good many political letters we thought
uncalled for.

DOCTOR (t 0 patient) : "You must first of all remove
the cause of this nervousness, then the complaint will
soon disappear." Patient: "It's no go ; I should
have to kill all my wife's relations then l"
A GENTLEMAN remarked to his wife that a certain
person was over head and ears in debt, whereupon
she exclaimed: "Good gracious! That can't bet.
Why. husband. did you ever see his ears?"

DURING a political lecture that was being delivered
a short time since in a certain Radical constituency,
a rather amusing incident occurred. A number of
forms had been placed on each other at the back of
the hall, and on them several youths had taken up
their position. One of the forms was pushed out of
its place, and fell on to the floor, making a great
noise. The chairman got up and demanded what all
the noise was about. To his question a wag in the
audience answered that it was "a mere matter of
form ;" whereupon the chairman—also a bit of a wag
—remarked that they did "not wish any more such
Informal proceedings."

i'.4.ON AL i" it() IDEN T
INSTITUTION
FOR MUTUAL LIFE ASSURANCE.
Founded 1835. Funds, £4,300,000.
Claims Paid, £7,000,000. Profits Declared, £4,000,000.
ENDOWMENT A.6ISI7BANOWS On very favourable terms.
Economical Management. Liberal Conditions. Large Bonuses.
48, GRACECHURCH STREET. E.C., LONDON.
AGENTS WANTED WHERE NOT REPRESENTED.
' '

- -
Jzat Pubitshed.
Bartholomew's Illustrated Guide to Eta Turktali
and other Baths. Vrice sti
Bartholomew's Medical Lecture on the Curative
Action of the Turkish and other Baths. Delivered be-
fore the Learned Societies, Westminster Hall, London. Price 3d.
Sent post tree from his establishments in Brie, 01, Bath. BIT,
mi'igham, If/tip-nester. Worcester, and Leicester Square. London.