Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1867-08-07
Desperate and Fatal Duel.
Special Cor. of the Louisville Courier.
MELaY Posr OFFICE, KY, July 22.

WELBY POST OFFICE, NY, July |-'
A deplorable tragedy was enacted about
mile from our quiet little village this morning
at daylight, which resulted in the death oil
promising young man and the mortal wound :
ing of another, whose future was all brlllian-
cy and promise. Anticipating the affair get
ting into the papers, aud being fully cognizant
of all the particulars aud circumstances pre-
ceding the sad and bloody denouement, l
now, in accordance with the wishes of the
friends of both parties, send you an accurate
history of the affair, in order that the facts
may go out to the world just as they trans
pired.
Littleton Wells and Sanford B. Roberts
were both young men of unexceptlonaole
character, and occupying enviable positions
in our society. Wells WAS about twenty Two
years old, and Roberts was probably two years
his senior. The former was cur deputy post
master, while the latter was clerk in the store
OF Roath and Strother. For some time both
had been paying marked attention to an anna
bic and beautiful young lady OF the neigh
borhood, whose name withhold for obvious
reasons and until within month past
were generous rivals, their relations toward
each other being upon the most friendly loot
ing. -.
Some three or four weeks ago Wells visit
ed the Young lady, and made formal pro
posal for her hand. His proposition was res
pcc,fully but firmly declined, and upon his
pressing her for her reason for her declina
tion, she indiscrectly informed him that she
had already accepted similar proposal from
Young Roberts. Wells left the house, noun
ted his.horsc. and returned to the village. He
FIRST went to the post office aud armed himself
with pistol, aud tuen sought his successful
rival at the store Here an alteration ensu-
ed. which would have had bloody termina-
lion had rot bys.anders interlered and put en-
end 10 the difficulty. From that time until
Saturday they were as strangers TO each 9th
er. On that day they both attended pic. nc
Roberts bling a:aompan;edby his fan e.: As
s, on as Wells saw them together he seemed
to he imbueG with the very spirit Of inssnl.
ty. Approaching them nc GROSSLY irsuted
ROBBERS, in the presence If the whole assem :
bly,. The iusulled man sprs gto his ieet, and
started toward his insulier, rcidently to resent
the insult, waen gentlemen present prevent.
ed a c3lli ion Roberts and his fair compan'
ion. at the earnes: solicitation Of the latter,
Immediately lett the ground and repaired 10
her home, where she, fearing difficulty be-
tween the parties, endeavored TO persuade
him TO spend the night. In that she failed,
but succeeded in eXtractinga o promise from
him that he would not return TO the picnic
Reaching the village, and brooding over
the cross outrage that had been put upon him,
he vert to bis room and penned challenge
10 mortal co,ubat, which he entrusted 10 a
friend to be delivered into tie hands Of Wells.
This mission was accomplished that night.
N>xt morning friend nj he challenged par
tg cal ed upon the ir e q !Rabet' to arrange
lie preliminarics. THIS was soon accomplish
ed. The arrangement was that the night
mile east Of the town at d.yiigur, on Mon.
day-,he weapons TO be Colls revolvers.
At the appointed time principals and sec
oods were on the chosen ground. The prin
coas were placed zen feet apart, with inStruc-
ton to fire between the words one and
three and then advance, firing as ihey al
vanced, such being the terms insisted upon
by the challenged and not rejected by tic
challenger. at The word both parties li;el,
and 50 accurate was their aim, that Wells ie!
dead. pierced through the br.in, by his ad
ycrsary's ball. Roberts received his oppo-
uent's bullet il the centre Of lis breast, pass
ing through his body and lodging under the
skin, just TO the left of the spine. At ihe
moment | write he is not dead, though
sinking 50 rapidly that the physicians say
he cannot possibly lire more than az hour.
This terrible affair, it is needless TO say,
has given our entire community shock such
as never pervadcd il before. Both the yourg
men were highly respected, conspicuous for
their intelligence and social qualities. Wells
leaves a widowed mother and two sisters TO
mourn his loss. Roberts leaves no family be:
ref. waila their sad, sad fate is mourucd by all
who knew them.
WELBY.