Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1861-01-10
Desperate Fight with Bowie
Knives.


Desperate Fight with Bowie
Knives.
A correspondent in: Georgia, in one of
our exchanges, sends the following report
of a desperate encounter which recently
took place in Texas.
One of the garnest duels on record oc-
Cured iu Monroe, Texas, between a young
New Yorker by the name of Tucker, and
Southeruer by the name of Leronge. 1t
seems that both of them paid attention TO
a young lady residing at that place, and
Leronge finding that be was received in q
somewhat cold manner, while Tucker was
received with respect, became very much
exasperated; they met each other quite Oft
en-, but each extended the cold shoulder to-
wards the other. Tucker resided some
place distant from Monroe, aud every Sat
urday he would visit the young lady and
stay until Monday, when be would return
to attend to his business. 1t seems that
on one of these visiting jaunts he arrived
at Monroe early on Saturday evening,
stopping on his way at the hotel, for the
purpose of procuring a cigar. Leronge
happened 10 be in there at the same time
with party of gentlemen, and they were
discussing about the political troubles of
the North and South. when Leronge gave
utterance to the remark :-"1 never yet saw
a good, true, game man from the North"
Tucker, who stood with his back towards
him, as soon as be heard the remark i'm
mediately turned around and addressed
him, by saying: l rather think you are
mistaken, and 1 think you hold some ami
mostly towards me, and that causes you to
make the remark; and further, ! am
Northern, born and reared in the City
of New York, and there are as game men
there as there are in any of the States"
to which Leronge answered hastily, 81 say
again, never found one, and further I
don't believe there are any," Tucker then
walked up to him and charged him with q
willful falsehood, telling him that if he
wanted satisfaction be could have it, and
directly after walked out of the ho'el.-
That evening, Tucker received challenge,
and he returned an answer, stating that be
would be ready on the following Saturday.
That time arriving, true tohis appointment
Tucker arrived at Monroe early in the af-
teraoon; he Immediately repaired to the
hotel, where everything was arranged for
the meeting. Tucker was offered the
choice of the weapons, which he refused,
giving the choice to Leronge, who selected
"bowie knives in a dark room," at the
same time directing, a penetrating glance
towards Tucker, who, observing him, re-
marked: "You need not look at me; I
won't quail" In the evening they repair
ed to the room. Before going in, Tucker
remarked; "Gentlemen, l am Northern
er, and l don't know whether / have .
friend here; all ask before going in here
is, that III have fair show; and nothing
more" A Georgian stepped forward, and
remarking that he was game young man,
told him that he should have fair show;
no matter what the consequences might
be. Tucker, then passed into the room,
and speaking low to the Georgian, said:
"If l die, send word to my mother in New
York;" then turning round saying he was
ready, to which Leronge Immediately an
swered $50 am l." they were then put in
the room, and the door closed. After
lapse of five minutes, the order was given
to cross their knives, Lerouge was heard
to say, "Here / am in this corner; come
for me, or tell me where you are and I'll
go to you." Almost Immediately after
they were heard struggling with each 9TH
er. At the end of four or five minutes
everything was still, and upon entering the
room with light horrid spectacle pre-
sented itself. The floor was dyed with
blood, while Leronge lay there moaning in
agony, with all bis bowels protruding, ow.
ing to cut which extended all the way
across bis stomache. Tucker was standing
in one corner Of the room with his bowie-
knife raised, looking as though be expect
ed that his opponent would spring upon
him. A physician was in immediate at
tendance upon Leronge, while the Geor-
pian and some of bis friends conducted
Tucker to private place of safety. At
latest accounts, there was but little
hope OF IeronReS feeoVory. ne Stateo
that he hoped Tucker would getaway safe
ly, as he did not wish to see him in Jail;
and further, that be Leronge) was the
whole cause Of il, stating that be was
jealous of the attentions which Tucker
paid the young lady, and that the duel
arose from no other cause. The authori-
ties were in search of Tucker. III stated
that the Georgian conducted him safely
away.