The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1868-06-03
A Duel with Rifles.

The Nashville Press and Times responsible for the
| following:
| From Overton county comes to US strange story,
which we suppose has few parallels in the annals of diff
cnltes settled after the code The affair which we
about to relate happened two weeks ago. and the de-
tails were rehearsed to Saturday by old miner,
who has been prospecting in East Tennessee for a
company of the North, and who, on his way to this
CITY, passed through Fentress and Overon counties to
| reach Ganesboro on the Cumberland.
Among the bold, savage mountains OF fentress ana
| the lower or southern portion OF OVerton counues
dwell race of hardy men, tarburners and Woodchop
pers who separated it WERE widely from the outer
world bY the absence of railroads and teegraphs de-
veop among themselves strange customs and stranger
/ wavs Of thought.
| Where the bold spurs of wild range defect trhe
as they cross the boundary line of Fentress and Over
ton lived for many years two families named Wadron
! and Jarvis. An unntelligble feud had married their
intercourse from time of mind, until about year
ago when the head of the last mentioned family died.
After this occurrence old troubles were apparently
buried on both Sides and friendly intercourse was es-
tabshed between the late rivals This continued tor
many months, and until a Saturday night, when one
of the Jarvis family, young man OF twenty-five, and
while intoxicated made sneering remark about
one of the Waldrons impeaching his courage. The
member of the once rival family referred to heard OF
the others remarks with many additions and aggraVa-
tons and his ire of course great Two days at
ter be sent friend to young Jarvis, who was at work
on the branch by that as he jarvis did not con-
slider him courageous man, he might have the pleas
ure of testing his bravery with any weapon he might
choose. Young Jarvis too proud to retract the
language which had been uttered while under the in
fuence Of liquor and he accordingly sent back word
to the other that he would meet him four days from
that time in what is known the Run, where they
could settle the matter with rifles hundred and
fifty yards.
Both men had been in the rebel army, and were
counted splendid marksmen and in their hunting ex-
cursons through the ncighborng wilds, few could
equal their aim bring down the game at longer
range.
II was on damp, cold dreary Friday morning that
the two young men, each accompanied by friend,
took their way the Run, straight narrow valley,
on one side of which rapid stream, overhung
with Wild black crags with here and there stubborn
bushes shooting out while above dark gloomy forest
surged and moaned in the htiu gusts when now ana
then swept over the scene.
A few rods from the banks of the torrent was
straight unobsructed piece of ground for five hundred
feet. Here the two men were to meet. A DRILLING
rain had fallen for hours, and the through the
valley and out over the surrounding hills, with their
wooded sides, was dismal with cnging mist and pat
tering rain.
The seconds paced off the distance; the two men
were placed with their backs toward each other the
pieces loaded and to the shouted one two three,
given by of the seconds standing upon high rock
to one side and about midway between the two COM
batants they turned and fired. Jarvis wounded
through the aeshy part of the ARM while his bullet
whstled savagely just above his antagonists head.
care you satisfied ?" said the wounded mans second
to the others friend "Waldron wants another shot,
the reply.
A stern, savage smile lighted up the features of
young Jarvis as his bound up to stanch the
blood but he said not word The rifles were loaded
again, and once to the shouted signal the two
men wheeled and fired. The reports Were almost sim
ultaneous Waldron ran forward few steps, stag
foiI IF bic load
ing and senseless. He shot through the heart.
Jarvis went slowly home, saddled his hors, and, tell
ing his family that he going to Monticello left the
country.