New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-05-25
LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.

A BLooDLEss DUEL IN THE PINEY WOODS
Shooting at Trees Instead Of Men.-The
pleasant little town of Amite, which seldom
experiences a sensation, grew fat over an in
tended duel there last Saturday. Two bel
Iigerents, residents of Canton, Mississippi,
thirsting for blood and vengeance came into
Louisianarto settle their misunderstanding.
Mr.. Adams, the challenger, is small in stat
ure, but mighty in spirit. His opponent,
Mr.. Pritchett, is a siX-footer, and cool
man. Adams sent the challenge in Conse.
quence of alleged insults offered by Pritchett
to his (Adam's) sister and mother. Arriv-
ing at Amite, the party, numbering nine,
breakfasted at Colonel George ClarAe's fine
hotel, where other persons, seeking amuse
ment, joined them, as did also about
two hundred citizens, all going to point
selected for battle ground,
When all WAS ready prepared for the fatal
encounter Sheriff looked in and hastily
remarked, "You can't fight on this yere
ground" After parley of fifteen minutes
between the seconds. principals and friends,
it WAS concluded TO adjourn to a point near
Oayka, where water could be readily OBJ
tanned in case any one felt inclined to take
to it. Dr. Moore, with box Of surgical in
struments, often furtively eyed by the
principals, accompanied the train, to render
his professional assistance in case either
man survived his wounds. The weapons
were double-barreled shot-guns, fifteen
buckshot, at thirty PAGES. A retired spot
was selected and thebushes cut away, max
ing a straight narrcw lane from man to
man.
Many useless efforts had been made to eff
feet reconciliation, but the duelists were
unrelenting, even up to the moment when
the seconds stated that things were in readi
ness. Pritchett received his gun and went
to the end he had chosen; Adams took his
weapon but stepped out of the line to re.
mark that he didn't want ter shute that ar
man." Confusion and disappointment
reigned, tor as fast as Adams relented Prit-
chett progressed. BY the foresight of gen.
tleman from New Orleans, well known to the
police, all participating in the picnic had
been disarmed of their pistols, in the event
d. of row. Pritchett would not draw back,
although he expressed himself unwilling to
enrich our soil Sith human blood, for he had
taken particular notice of DR.. Moore's In
struments, and they reminded him tAat per.
haps ne might be wounded himself. Finally
Pritchett stated that he would accept all I'M
conditional withdrawal OF the challenge and
no more talk about insults to the family,
etc. Eventually Adams came TO these terms,
when a suggestion was made that the party
take a friendly drink from the bayou, which
was agreed to, but the principals did not
speak after that. To close the farce finely,
one of the gentlemen of,the expedition, sug-
gested that one of the principals take his
position on the bloodless battle ground,
select tree and imagine it his opponent,
and fire at the word of command.
The proposition was accepted. Adams
blazed away at the hated tree, lodging five
buckshet into the wood, either one OF which
would have killed an OK. Pritchett then
tried his skill and valor, sending seven shot
where they belonged, proving conclusiVeiy
that if the men had fought one or both must
have found an early grave, etc. All this was
doubtless great fun to some Of those present,
for when they returned to George Clarhes
house at Amite there was much laughter
and many drinks at the expense OF 1lissls-
sippis eccentric sons.
Although this is not precisely local item,
yet we give it in detail, as it contains
moral which should not be UNDECIDED by
those who are inclined to make targets OF
themselves.