Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1868-12-23
A Locomotive Duel.

The scene takes place IN tennessee.
Two contractors Of the public works Mr. Clark,
an Englishman and Mr.. Wood, American, had
crossed each other in a question of interest," that
suited in the furious rivalry, which soon changed
into strong hatred
Twice the two antagonists met upon the ground,
or more properly speaking, once upon the ground
and once in the wood the the second duel was with
rifles, man-hunt, a reciprocal hunt of the game
ard the hunter.
The first time IL was Mr.. Clark that wounded
he got we'll The second time it Mr.. Wood
his rival, having feigned being struck by the ball,
lay as dead. Mr. Wood approached to see if he had
killed his adversary, or if he bad only wounded
him. At that moment Mr.. Clark got up at bound
and fired. Mr.. Wood fell bathed in his blood, but
the ball had made the circuit of his ribs. He re-
NAMED one month in bed, after which he got up
more anxious than ever TO recommenee the strug-
gle.
After several propositions, some more frightful
than the others, the following was agreed upon
The duel was TO be deferred for six months, du-
ring which time rails were to be laid on a vacant
piece Of ground extending along the edge of for
est over a space Of about mile, but only one track.
The rails being laid the fight was to be with loco
motives.
Here arc the conditions of this terrible duel
The two opponents, each mounted on his locomo-
tive heated 70 suit himself to place himself one at
each end of the line.
rife shot to be fired from the top Of a small hill
that could be from both ends it might be pos
ElDo That the report NOulQ hot DC nehtN Dut bLo
small cloud Of smoke could be seen.
The first shot to be the signal for sho combatants
20 make ready.
second rihe-shot, 8 second cloud Of smoke
would be the signal for the march
The two opponents are At their posts behind the
locomotive their hand on the throttle-vaves, their
eyes fixed on the hillock where the signal is TO APP
pear.
The first shot is fred. A thin white smoke arises
10 the air.
Five minutes passive centuries.
A second cloud of smoke crowns the hilloek. The
two locomotives commence TO shake; their motion,
little short at first acquires in few seconds an
extraordinary speed, electrical, vertigurous.
The movement of Mr. Wood appears more rapid
than that of his antagonist. Effectively he has
passed the post that indicates the half of the way
But some fifteen yards further on the two mon
sters meet they strike; the shock is terrifying
The locomotive of Mr. Wood is thrown over on
It's conductor whom it brushes, burns, drags and
hackles.
The other that Of Mr.. Clark bursted in front,
lets escape cloud of steam, and still runs for few
yards, moved by the force Of impusion.
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
lssnsible, bruised his face burned by the Jet OF
steam, and broken leg.
The Doctor pronounced his wound not mortal,
and that Clark would get over IT.
As 70 his adversary, shapeless and unknown
mass was withdrawn from under she locomotive, a
bloody clog Of bideous remains.
Honor was satisfed.-Mcr1oo ITdlt q Oh'oN