Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1854-09-28
Correspondent Of the Cincinnati Gazette.
LEXINGTON. KY., Sept. "a, 1884.

The PIsroL FreHr At THE KENTUCKY
FAIR.-The general harmony of the
pleasant scene on the Far grounds to-
day, was interrupted by brutal fight.
the facts concerning which are as fol-
lows: / did not witness the fight, as
had left the grounds few minutes be-
fore it took place, but saw the wounded
combatants as they were brought from
the field of their fame fresh and gory,'
and deposited in separate rooms, at the.
Phenix House. 1t appears that per-
sonal feud had existed for nearly year,
between Thomas Buford, of Fayette
county, and George H. Thomas, of Mt.
Sterling, in Montgomery county. They
were both between the ages of twenty
FIVE and thirty years, and belonged to
good families. The original difficulty
occurred at billiard room. They met
this morning in Lexington, and 1 under
stand that they had a fsticuff fight in
the forenoon, somewhere on the Fair
grounds, but were parted before either
had been seriously injured. About two
O'Clock this afternoon they met again
close to the amphitheater, in the center
of the Fair grounds, each armed with
one of Colts revolvers. When within
about fifteen PAGES of one another, they
deliberately aimed at each other, and
fred; neither shot took effect. They
continued to stand and fire until each
had fred six rounds. Buford's fourth
fire sent a ball into Thomas's thigh,
which caused him to stagger very hit
tie, though he did not fall, but stood
his ground, and fired two more shots at
Buford. He then threw his pistol
down and was in the act of drawing his
knife to advance upon his opponent,
when a young man, friend of his,
named Ferguson. handed him another
pistol charged with powder and ball to
try his luck again. This was seen by
Capt. Buford, brother of the young
man engaged in the affray, who imme-
diately clinched him, and fell upon him,
and was in the act of giving him a very
decided pummelling, when young Bu-
ford advanced with his knife, and as
Ferguson lay on the ground he scalped
him in true Indian style. His head was
dreadfully cut, and the blood flowed
profusely. In the meantime, Thomas,
who had been wounded in the thigh,
had been conveyed to a carriage and
driven to the hotel; he was shortly after
followed by carriage conveying Fer
guson to the same place. l happened
to be at the hotel door when the carriage
drove up. and Ferguson stepped out, his
head, and face, and neck were literally
covered with blood. He walked up to
his room, however, without assistance.
when aphysician was sent for and the
wounds were dressed.
Thomas also had his physicians in
attendance, who examined his thigh
and extracted the ball, and bound up
his wound Neither Thomas nor Fer
guson are dangerously hurt. So much
for the wounded, who were parties to
the fight. The Fair grounds were
crowded with people all the time this
infamous transaction was going on, and
it is almost miracle that number of
persons were not killed or seri-
ously injured. AS it was, little negro
girl about ten years old was shot in the
mouth by one of the men, and negro
man, who was hundred and fifty yards !
from the scene of action, was wounded /
in the arm with ball. l have also
heard that a horse was hit. 1t was
first reported that the negro girl was
killed, but l have since ascertained that
although severely wounded she is still
alive, and likely to recover.
There is great deal of indignation ex-
pressed here in regard to this fight, and
i a stray shot had killed respectable
ady or a gentleman known and re-
'pected, really believe that the three
Thomas, Ferguson, and
3uford. would have been hung up by
he neck without Judge or jury. As it
S, nothing has been done about arrest
ng the parties and probably they will
PASS unwhipped of justice.
The parties are known here as game
men, and as belonging to fighting fami-
les. The father of young Thomas
Tiled man several years ago in fight.
Ferguson is young man who had
handsome fortune left him, and he has
'een abroad and has some time been
himself in European travel.
lie is very tall and has an effeminate
oreign air. He has devoted great at
ention to his moustache, his hair, and
indeed his whole outward man. The
oss of his scalp will vex him sorely.-
Japt. Buford is in the Dragon service,
nd is strong athletic man.
To give you an idea how deliberate
he shooting went on, once or twice the {
istol cap snapped, when the party 6
Tould take cap from his vest pocket, '
eset it and blaze away again. '
The exhibition of horses to-day was j
cry fine, and the array of beauty in G
he amphitheater greater than ever
here were a couple of fine showers
his afternoon. U. s.