The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1870-08-03
tFrom tho st. Louis Democrat.)
The Sabre Duel on Bloody Is
land.
A PLUCKY CONTEsT-THE CAUSE OF
IT-HOW a FORMER CITIZEN OF
MEMPHIS LOST ONE OF HIS PEEP
ERS,
BLOODY ISLAND.

|
for thoro many an "affair of hon
orr has been satisfactorily adjus-
ted. Men distinguished in their
day and generation havo repaired
thlthcr to settle their grievances
by the code ducllo, and oven tho
great Benton designed to leave
his footprints on Bloody Islands
sands. Of latter years tho march
Of improvement has been slowly
obliterating the quiet spots whero
gentlemen were wont to adjust
their little grievances and indeed
tho spaces where such settlements
might havo been made have been
disgustingly used for basor pur-
poses. Tho bummers, tho bruisers,
the plugs and the prizo, fighters
| have assembled thcre-not TO de-
1cnd their "sacrod honors" accord.
ing to ",ho code, "but to batter
each others "mugs" for filthy lu-
ere, according to who rules Of the
London p. r."
OLD TIMES
camc again yesterday, and not
withstanding many of our people
thought (moro Of them hoped)
they would como again no more.
a real, genuine duel took place
across the river, but we do not as
scrt that it transpircd on Bloody
Island proper. 1t did, however,
take place there or thcroabouts.
THE PARTIES
to tho "affair" wcro first, Major
Henry Keith, at present on the
editorial staff Of the st. Louis
Timcs--a genial, kind-hcartcd, ip-
tell gent gentleman; highstrung,
perhaps, but bravo, as his record,
past a:d present, will show. Tho
Major served with distinction in
the Union army on tho Potomac,
and was for sometime on Gen.
Pratt's staff. lie is, perhaps, thir-
ty-tivc years of age, single; and is
q man Of fine presence.
Second, Captain Vanstcin, known
TO some as Capt. Van," who en-
ginccrcd tho Jackson Placo Rink
Tournament, two years ago this
4th of July. Capt. Van was also
an otiicor in the Union service,
and, so far as We know, his record
is unimpeachablo.. Since the war,
wo understand, ho has taught
fencing. IIo is a foreigner by
birth, Of good appearance, and
will probably never SEQ forty
again.
OUR INFORMATION.
in regard TO tho "onplcasantnoss"
is perhaps, not so full as desirable,
as tho parties to it conducted their
littlo matter with great privacy.
Major Keith, with roticcnco
crcditable than otherwise, refused,
courtconsly yet peremptorily, to
give onr reporter any particulars !;
and yet such rs follow wo believe
to be quito or really authontic.-
Tho Major also refused to give the
namo of his antagonist, but, from
information at hand, we believe
wo havo committed no error il
HlAlnS h'S ldcnllly.
THE CAUSE OF THE DUEL.
From what could bo yesterday
ascertaincd,it appears that tho af
fair originated as follows: Major
Keith, accompanied by several
gentlemen well known in tho city,
stepped into tho saloon Of George
Bayer, on Third d-strect, yesterday
morning, to get glass Of wine.
There they met several other gen
tlcmcn with whom they were ac-
quaintcd. Some Of them were of
French descent, and were speak
ing Of the var Mt present threat
cncd in Europe. From this tho
conversation turned upon tho
French war and finally to sword
exercise. Major Keith, who is an
expert swordsman, and ono Of tho
other gentlemon who, by tho way,
was formerly Colonel in tho ar
my, stepped out in tho opon floor
and commenced to practice somo
difficult passes with canes. They
then concluded to procure masks
and have bout. Accompanied
by several OF thoir friends they
accordingly adjourned to a fem
cling hall whore they had friend
ly passage at arms. While thero
they met the othor principal in
the affair Of yesterday.
TIE INSULT.
In some manner an alteration
occurred between the Major and
the fencing master, and tho latter
finally applied to tho Major an in
sulung epithet, to which he re-
piled with q blow. Satisfaction
was at onco demanded, and the
Ma jor informed him that it would
be granted Immediately if desired.
Sabrcs were designated as the
weapon, and each man was allow
cd the selection Of his own.
A place Of meeting was at once
agreed upon, and q very short
timo after tho principals, each &C.
companied by IL second, met on
the Illinois sido Of tho river, and
prepared themselves for