Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1868-11-30
Locomotive Duel.

from the City Of Mexico Trait d Union
The scene takes place in Tennessee.
Two contractors of public works, Mr.. Clark,
an Englishmau, and Mr.. Wood, an American,
had crossed each other in question of inter-
act that resulted in furious rivalry. which
soon changed into strong hatred.
Twjce the two antagonists had met upon the
cround, or more properly speaking, once upon
me ground and once in the wood, for the second
incl was with rifles, a man hurt, reciprocal
bnot of The game and the hunter.
The first time it was Mr.. Clark that was
voupded; he cot we'll The second time it was
Mr. Wood; his rival, having ieigned being
struck by the ball, lay as dead. Mr.. Wood
spproached to see if he had killed his adver
sary, or if he had only wounded him. At that
moment Mr.. Clark got up at a bound and
fred, Mr. Wood fell, ,bathed in blood, but the ball
made the circuit of his ribs. He remained one
month in bed, after which he got more anxious
than ever to recommence the struggle.
After several propositions, some more fright
full than the others, the following was agreed
upon;
The duel to be deferred for six months, dur
ins which time rails were to be laid On va
can't piece of ground extending along the edge
Of the forest, over space OF about mile, but
only one track. The rails being laid the fight
was to be with locomotives.
Here are the conditions of this terrible duel ::
The two Opponents, each mounted on his 10.
comotive, heated to suit himself, to place HIM
SELF one at each end of the line,
A rifle shot to be fired from the top OF Il
small hill that could be seen from both ends
hmight be possible that the report would not
he heard, but the small cloud of smoke could
be SEEM
The first shot to be the signal for the comba-
tants to make ready.
A second rifle shot second cloud OF smoke,
would be the signal for the march.
The two opponents are at their posts behind
the locomotives, their hands on the throttle
valves, their eyes fixed on the hillock where
the signal is to appear.
The first shot is fired. A thin white smoke
rises in the air.
Five minutes passive centuries.
A second cloud of smoke crowns the hillock.
The two locomotives commence to shake-their
motion, little slow at first, acquires in few
seconds an extraordinary speed, electrical, YER
tginOus.
The movement of Mr. Wood appears more
rapid than that of his antagonist. Effectively,
be has passed the post that indicates the halt
Of the way.
But some fifteen yards further on, the two
monsters meet, they strike, the shock Is terri
lying
The locomotive of Mr.. Wood is thrown over
90 its conductor, whom it crusheS, burns, drags
aud hackes.
The other, that of Mr.. Clark, bursted in
front, let's escape q cloud of steam, and still runs
for few yards moved by the force ofimpulsion.
But the conductor has disappeared
The shock has thrown him ten steps from
the road, on the edge of the wood, where he
was found insensible, bruised, his face burned
By the jets of steam, and broken leg.
The doctor pronounced his wound not NOR
tai, and that Clark would get over 1t.
As his adversary, a shapeless and unknown
mass was Withdrawn from under the lOcOmo-
tive, bloody clog of hideous remains.
Honor was satisfied.