Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1872-10-25
a DUEL IN ATLANTA.

The Atlanta Herald contains long and
graphic account Of duel which occurred
between two young gentlemen Of that
place on last Friday. We condense from.
the account the following particulars Of
the causes which led 10 the duel and ~
the encounter itself:
1t appears that on Monday evening last,
while at the Episcopal Bazaar in Atlanta,
MIR. Wallace Haskell, OF that city, in a
playful manner slightly pinched the ann
Of young lady, well known and very
popular in Atlanta society. The Young
lady was very indignant at this act, which
was certainly reprehensible, and at once
informed a gentleman of her acquaintance
that she had been insu,ted. The gentle.
man Immediately sought Mr.. Haskell ami
demanded an apology. Mr.. Haskell as
Serts that he made the apology, and sup
posed the matter had been satisfactorily
arranged. The story Of the insult, how
ever, reached the ear Of Mr.. III. T.. Force,
who was afiianccd to the young lady, and
he at once sought Haskell and took him
to task for the af1ront. When the par
ties separated, no pleasant feelings ex-
lsted between them, and on Tues
day morning, about ten O'Clock, Force
met Haskell on Whitehall street, and as
saulted him with stick while he held a
revolver in the other hand. This led to a
challenge from Haskell, which was sent by
the hands # his friend, Mr. J. Ill. Town
send. Mr.. j. b. Hart, representing Mr.
Force, declined to receive the challenge ON
the ground that Haskell was not a gentle.
man, but declared that his principal was
ready TO give Townsend any satisfaction
he might demand. Townsend declared
his readiness to take the place of Haskell,
and soon afterwards sent Force a letter by
4 / Iari
to receive the Challenge from the gentle
man, and Haskell Immediately posted
Force Gas n miserable scoundrel and pol
troon." Col. w. s. Townsend, father Of
Mi. j. III. Townsend, had all the parties
concerned, including his son, bound over
to keep the peace. Surprising that tie
matter was now ended, he gave himself
but little further trouble about it. IL ap
pears, however, that the parties were IL
advised, and Mr.. Townsend and Mr.. Force.
on Friday morning met in an office, TO-
gether with their respective friends, and
completed arrangements for duel to take
place in the eTening. The weapons agreed
uponwere dOuble-barreled,sho guns loaded
with eight buck-shot in each barrel, and the
distance was fixed at forty PAGES. The place
selected for the meeting was in font
OF the cemetery gate, within the limits OF
Lhe city. Mr.. Hunt being indisposed, Mr..
u, gentleman temporarily soiourning in
consented to act as Mr.. Forces
second, while Mr.. W., of Atlanta, appeared
IN the same capacity for Mr.. Townsend
IN reaching the place of meeting, the sur
seon who accompanied the party endeav-
1rGd to effect reconciliation between
Force and Townsend, but bis efforts were
n vain. The proper distance was mea-
'ured oil, and the principals placed i'm posi-
ion. They were both cool and collected,
md wore an air of courage anu determine
ION. 1t was rumored that one Of the par
les labored under the influence of liquor,
out this was afterwards emphatically de-
lied. A brief pause ensued after the priI-
'ipals took their places. Mr.. w. the second
Ipon whom dcvClved the duty of giving
he word, hesitated, but finally he said:
Are you ready, gentlemen ," An affrlna
i've reply was given, and he then called
'ut cone, two, three" forgetting in his
tGltatiOn to use the word fire, which should
rave been spoken before the numerals. MI.
force leveled his gun ard fired. MI.
townsend failed to turn ia time. He was
ust in the act Of turning when lie received
hree Of the eight buck shot in his left ei-
BOW and just beneath his left shoulder
blade. lie, however, turned completely
olnd and fired, iL&tnctiVely, but wildly,
IS he fell to the ground, seriously wounded.
AS soon rs Townsend fell, Force ran Ia
i'm, and a reconciliation took place
'etween the two. Mr.. Townsend declared
imself satisfied with tie manner in which
rs opponent acted while Mr.. Force ey-
ressed the deepest regret at havirg been
onpelled to fight him.
Mr.. Townsend was carried 10 his father,
ouse in Atlanta At eight O'Clock Friday
light he was delirious, and seemed t"
ufter much pain. The physicians, how
ver were hopeful of his recovery. A
,arrant was issued for the arrest of Force,
ut up to midnight Friday he had not been
'und. Mr.. Townsend and Mr.. Force are
9th we'll known lawyers OF Atlanta
IuguSta ConstitUttOndlisE.