The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1868-11-17
ALOCOMOTIyE DUEL.
Extraordinary Success of n MeIiean
Boheniau IN the Sensational Line

X
Bohemiau IN the Sensational Line
From the City of Mexico Trait d Unionl 4
The scene takes place in Tennessee.
Two contractors of public works, Mi.
Clark, an Englishman, and MIR. WOOD,
an American, had crossed each other III
a question of interest, that resulted IN a
furious rivalry, which sson changed in
to a strong hatred.
Twice the two antagonists had met
upon the ground, or, more properly
speaking, once upon the ground ana
once in the wood, for the second duel
was with rifles, man hunt, a reclpro-
cal hunt of the game and the hunter.
The first time il was Mr.. Clark that
was wounded-he got We'll The sec
ond time il was Mr., Wood; his rival,
having feigned being struck by the ball,
Law as dead. Mr.. Wood approached to
see if he had killed his adversary, or II
ne had only wounded him. At that
moment Mr.. Clark got up ut bouud
and fired. Mr.. Wood fell, bathed in his
blood. but the ball had made the circuit
of his ribs. He remained one month In
bed, after which he got up, more anx-
ious than ever to recommence the strug-
gle.
After several propositions, some more
frightful than the others, the following
was agreed upon:
The duel to be deferred for six months,
during which time rails were 10 be
laid on vacant piece of ground extend
ing along the edge of forest, over a
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 terri
BILE duel:
The two opponents, each mounted on
his locomotive, heated TO suit himself,
to place himself, one at each end OF the
line.
A rifle shot to be fred from the top OF
a small hill that could be seen from both
ends-it might be possible that The re,
mort would not be heard, but the small
cloud of smoke could be seen.
The first shot to be the signal for the
combatants to make ready.
A second rifle shot, q 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 ap-
pear.
smoke rises in the air.
Five minutes passive centuries.
A second cloud of smoke crowns the
hillOck. The two locomotives com
mence to shake, their motion, little
slow at first, acquires in few seconds
an extraordinary speed, electrical, vertl-
ginous.
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 monsters meet, they strike, the
shock is terrifying
The locomotive of Mr.. Wood is thrown
ever on its conductor, whom it brushes,
burns, drags and hackles.
The other, that of Mr.. Clark. bHrsted
in front, lets escape cloud of steam,
and still runs for few yards, moved by
the force of impulsion.
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 jet of steam, and
broken leg.
The doctor pronounced his wound
not mortal, and that Clark wonld get
over it.
AS to his adversary, shapeless and
unknown mass was withdrawn from I'M
der the locomotive, q bloody clog of
hideoIs remains.
Honor was satisfied.