Daily national Republican. (Washington City [D.C.]) 1870-1872, 1872-10-25
THE DUEL IN ATLANTA.
Two Fools FIshtinE-Ons Seriously injured
Southern ChIvalry.

Southern ChIValrJ.
The Atlanta (Ga.) Herald says.
Yesterday evening the entire community
was startled by report that Mr.. Houston 7.
Force aud Mr.. J. II. Townsend had fought q
duel, and that the last-named gentlemen had
been seriously u not fatally wounded. The
rumor spread like wlldnre throughout the city,
assuming thousand forms. At one time II
was said that Mr.. Townsend had been Instantly
killed, at another that he had expired while
being borne 70 his home, and at third that
he was only slightly hurt. BelowWe give full
and authentic particulars OF the case
30 far as can be gathered from the mass Of
conflicting statements which have been placed
before us, II appears that on Monday evening,
while ct tho Episcopal Bazaar, MI. wallace
Haskell, Of this city, in playful manner, and
doubtless without meaning to give offence,
slightly plnched the arm Vt young lady well
known and very popular In Atlanta society.
But, however innocent Of Intent TO give offence
he might have been, the act was certainly
reprohensible, and naturally gave the lady
much modification and chagrin. She promptly
informed gentleman Of her acquaintance
that she had been insulted, and he, with equal
prOmptness, sought Mr.. Haskell for the pur-
pose OF demanding an explanation and
apology,
On Tuesday morning, about 10 o'clock, Mr.
Haskell, In company with Mr.. George Force
q brother Of Mr.. Houston Force, was walking
up Whitehall street. AZ the pair came abreast
oil the drug store Of II. Q. Pope, Mr. Houston
Force sailed out armed with a stick In one
hand and a revolver In the other, and began
beating Mr.. Haskell, who retreAted Into the
jewelry store Of Mr.. Floyd, followed by his
assallant The encounter then terminated, a.
Outslders prevented ls continuance.
Haskellth then sent q challenge TO Force, who
declined TO receive IT, and Haskell then pub
llshed card declaring Force TO be "mlser-
able scoundrel and poltroon." Mr.. Towns-
end, Mr.. Haskells second, then sent u chAl-
lenge to Mr.. Force, and this Induced Force
to light, and the weapons agreed upon were
double-barreled shotgunA and the distance
forty PAGES.
Mr.. W. and Mr.. Y. measured out the supu'
lated distance Of forty PAGES, loaded the guns
and placed their principals back to back, A
brief pause ensued after the principals took
their places. Il seemed as II Mr.. W., one Of
the seconds, hesltatod and paused for awhile,
but finally the words came out
Are you ready, gentlemen :"
An affirmative reply was given.
'One, two, THRHR"
AZ the numerals were uttered Mr.. Force
promptly faced his antagonist and, leyellng
his gun, fired. Either because he was IR-
norAnt Of the rules Of the code or because
ho did not hear the "word," Mr.. Townsend
failed 10 turn In time. He was Just in the
act OF turning when he received three Of the
eight buck-shOt In his left elbow and Just be-
meath his left shoulder blade. lie, however,
turned completely round and fired, lnstlnc-
lively, but wildly, as he fell to the ground,
seriously wounded.
No sooner did Mr.. Townsend fall then Mr..
Force threw down his gun aud ran over 10
him, a. did the other gentlemen present. An
affecting reconciliation took place between
the two, they shaking hands aud expressing
renewed friendship. Mr.. Townsend declared
himself satisfied with the manner In which
his opponent had acted, while Mr.. Force ex-
pressed the deepest possible regret at having
been compelled 10 hght him.
The wounded young man was placed In the
carriage, and accompanied by the surgeon
and Mr.. Force was rapidly conveyed 70 his
fathers residence Ia this city, He seemed
much exhausted, and complained Of pain 10
the back. On entering the house Nc, Force,
who Asslsted Mr.. Townsend In, repeated his
declarations Of sorrow for what had occurred,
and asked the family not 10 entertain any un-
kind feelings towards him for II, at the same
time Offering them his hand.