Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1850-09-27

the latter suddenly drew bowie-knffe from his DO
som, and stepped boldly forward to the proferet
battle. And then commenced struggle for life ant
death, the most obstinate, bloody and frightfull.
protracted ever witnessed in the south west.
i Wilson's knife was long. keen, and so highly pol
ished that you might see yourself in the reflection
its smooth, bright surface, as in the most perfec
looking glass; the image being in extremely small
miniature, so symmetrical was the rounding of TIT
fine gliterng steel On each side of the glitterin1
blade picture, the fac smile of the other
wrought in exquisite gold enamel, of two Indians IL
their wild, native costumes, engaged in moral com
bat with bowie-knives.
The weapon was of the largest size of the class
called in that country Arkansas tOothpcks,' the
most murderous implement of destruction before
which human eye ever quailed. On one side Of
its broad cleaning blade was the picture of a fight
between hunter and black bear. The bea1
seemed to be squeezing the to death in it's iron
hug, while he was fercely digging at the monsters
heart with the point of his knife.
Such devices common on the arms of the most
notorious desperadoes on the frontiers, and the
object of intense pride to their owners,
| the insignia of the most exalted chivalry to the
knights of the heroic ages For all men are poets
and the idea seeks for to render itself in
carnate in the material for-to speak in knowing
signs of the senses. Destructiveness will have its
images as well as devotion
| Wilson made the first pass-a determined thrust
at the pit of his antagonist which the other dexter
ously parried. For time both parties fought with
admirable coolness and with such consummate skill
that only slight wounds inflicted, and those on
the head and face, whence blood began to trickle
freely And still-Ominous and awful vsion-while
the contest ragged the opposite and characteristic
signs of desperation remained fixed lptured by the
hands of horrible vengeance in either counenance.
The cold smile converted into fendish grin of
unreasonable malice, still fingered on Wilson'S livid
lips and the tears still flowed from Anthonys black
blazing eyes, The clatter of the knives, thrusting
and tending off, and sharply ringing against each
other was hideous to hear and alone broke the ap-
pallng silence that reigned throughout the hall
AT length both foes, maddened at the prolonged
oDstlnacy OF the struggle and blinded by the gore
from the red gashes about their eyes, lost all caution
GOODNESS, and equanimity, and battled wildly, more
like devils than living men. Each one, more intent
on taking the life of his enemy than in guarding his
own, exered every nerve and muscle with trucuIent
fury, that struck the very behoders with icy fear
Both were soon very severely wounded in different
parts of the body but still there came no pause in
the combat till Anthony, striking heavy, over
handed blow cut his adversarys arm half off at the
wrist Wilson changed his bowie knife in his left
hand, and for an instant ran several steps back
ward, as if to decline any further contest He then
stopped and smiling frightfuly than ever with
fearful internal look, again rushed forward Pre-
cisey at this crisis when certain victory within
his grasp, Anthony committed the folly of 1inging
his knife at the others BOSOM which, missing its aim
fell, with loud ringing noise, on the floor, more
than thirty feet distant
mis- error decided the tremendous combat. An
thony was entirely disarmed, and at the mercy of
the tiger man. Wilson darted upon him with a
hoarse cry of anger and helsh joy-there, where he
Stood' mouoness as rock, powerless to resist and
yet too brave to fly. One sharp thrust ripped open
the victims bowels, who caught them, as they were
falling, IN his hands. Another stroke directed at the
neck, severed the main artery and the blood spout
ing out with gurgling noise, sprinkled the robes
Ind even the faces of some members who sat nearest
20 the horrid scene
he last Of 4bo
curtain of death dropped on the CORY stage. Antho
~ without groan sigh, fell in his place CORPSE
md Wilson, fainting from loss of blood sank down
beside him.
up to this moment although sixty Legislators were
n their Seats and more than hundred lockers on
the lobby, and jewelled beves of bright-eyed Ia
lies in the gallery, still one, save those raging
nadmen, had moved, no sound had disturbed the
vhiepcrless silence but the Changers of the concus
i've steel
But then, as both tumbled on the floor like lumns
f lead wailing. heart-shivering Shrek as if some
ther soul were parting with its mortal clay, arose
the crowd of females, and all was again still but
whether that deep cry of orphaned spirit was ut
cred by the maiden of poor Anthonys bosom, who
lad hoped tomorrow to be his bride or by the beau
ltul daughter of Wilson, or by some plying stran-
,er could never be ascertained. Wilson recovered.
nd IS yet alive and there is scarcely square inch
N his face that does not show its deep scar as
nento Of the matchless combat He was expelled
rom the House, baed by mercifM Judge brought
o trial and acquitted. There was never Jury vet
n the backwoods who would convict person for
laying another in fair fight. For the desperate is
ne backwoods hero whom all men worsh,p