Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-10-23
THE ATLANTA DUEL.
singularly Complicated Affair.

The Causes that Led 20 At and the
COnsequenee-.The Fight Between
Men who had no Grudge Against
Each Other.
From the Atlanta Constitution, Oct. 20.
The unfortunate duel that occurred Fri
day afternoon has excited much interest.
It may be well to review the facts as they
appear.
1t was charged that Mr.. Wallace Haskell
pinched young lady's arm at the Episco-
pal Bazaar one evening last week. She
was walking with Col. j. r. Hart, of Thom-
aston. She stated that she was insulted,
and requested Col. Hart to call Mr.. Hous-
ton Force. Col. Hart did so, and left them
together. Mr.. Haskell and Mr.. Force had
conversation about it, which seems TO
have been unsatisfactory. Their state
ments conflict. Mr.. Haskell states that ne
apologized. Mr.. Force says that he told
Mr.. Haskell the lady would take no apol-
ogy. While eonversing, Col. Hart ap-
preached them and suggested postpone
ment of the matter. MIR. Haskell shook
his finger in Col. Hart's face and said he
did not recognize him in the matter. Col.
Hart left and went to the National Hotel,
and sent for Haskell. Mr.. Haskell and
Mr.. Force parted in dissatisfaction with
each other.
COL. HART AND NIB. HASKELL MET
At the National Hotel that night, and their
misunderstanding was settled, Mr.. Haskell
apologizing for his bluntness. But in this
interview with Col. Hart, Mr.. Haskell
spoke severely of Mr.. Force, and also OF
the young lady. This was reported to Mr..
Force, who, acting on it, prepared himself
with a stick and attacked and beat Mr..
Haskell the next morning, on Whitehall
street. Pistols were drawn, but not used,
andthe parties were disarmed by their
friends and separated.
THE CHALLENGE.
Mr.. Haskell challenged Mr.. Force, select
ing Mr.. Townsend as his second. Col
Hart, for Mr.. Force, declined to recognize
Mr.. Haskell as agentleman, but offered any
satisfaction to Mr.. Townsend. The latter
gentleman took the place Of his principal
and sent notice by Mr.. Joseph Smith. 1t
seems that Col. Hart and MIR. Smith have
had a difficulty before, and Col. Hart de-
clined to receive any. communication
through Mr.. Smith. Upon this, Mr.. Has
kell published the correspondence, de-
nouncing Mr.. Force as coward. Mr..
Smiths note of bis transaction with Col.
Hart denounces that gentleman. This cor
respondence was sent to the Constitution,
but not published, as none Of the parties
brought it. Mr.. Force published counter
card. Col. Hart was taken sick and was un-
able to take further part in the affair, being
prevented by his physician. Mr.. Crutch-
field took his place as Mr.. Forces friend,
and Mr.. Wallace took Mr.. Smiths place as
Mr.. TowDsend's friend.
HOW THE MEETING WAS ARRANGED.
The following is a statement Of an eye
witness to the duel: He said that no written
correspondence took place between Force
and Townsendss The understanding was
so it is reported, that the fight was to take
place between George Wallace and Col.
Hart. Col. Hart was sick and not present.
1t is said that Townsend insisted that Wal
lace should not fight. The weapons were
double barreled shot guns-neW ones
Townsend's was breach-loader. 1t is not
definitely known who selected the weapons
or loaded the guns.
THE MEETING.
The parties proceeded to little grove in
front Of the main entrance to the Cemetery
on Fair street. Mr.. Crutchfeld who acted
as Mr.. Forces second, and Mr.. Wallace
who acted as Mr.. Townsend's second STEP
ped off about forty PAGES and placed their
principals in position. Mr.. Cfutchteld,
MIR. Redell and others, it is stated, en-
deavored to stop further proceedings, without
avail. Townsend is reported by our inform
and to have been too much under the lnhu-
ence of LIQUOR. 1t is said that Mr.. Force
asked for twenty -four hours, in justice to
| Col. Hart. This was refused, unless put in
| writing. Townsend asked if his gun was
cooked. Gentlemen insisted that Town
send should be instructed, but this was re
fused. The question was asked, "Gentie-
men, are YOU ready? ?" The word "ire'
was not given, neither was the word "stop,
after the words s@one-two-three." Mr.
Bedell cried out that this was wrong, anc
insisted that the word should be given cor
rectly, Mr.. Force fred few seconds after
| the word "three." Mr.. Townsend fell on
receiving the wounds mentioned yesterday
As he fell, his gun was discharged in dl-
rection contrary to where Force was stand
ing. Mr.. Force went up to Townsend aud
expressed regrets that he (T.) had not re-
| turned his (F.'s) fire, and assisted in get
ting the wounded man in carriage.
WARRANTS OUT. -
Warrants are out for Mr.. Force and The
seconds, whose whereabouts We do no
know. After the fight Mr.. Force and Mr.
Townsend are said to hsve made friends
It is one of the most CO implicated attalri
that ever occurred under the, Code. Tht
| fighting was between two gentlemen whC
| had no grudge against each other, and whC
fought under a Bechnical rule Of the Codt
that makes a second responsible for hi:
| principal. ny rl
This meeting was stimulated by the un
fortunate position in which Mr.
Force was placed from Mr.. Townsend
friend. Mr.. Smith being hostile TO Col. Har
his own friend and the seeming appearance
of his avoiding to respond to Townsend
call after notice to that gentleman that
demand from him would be answered.
Both Mr.. Townsend and Mr.. Force ap
pear to have acted unexceptienably upoI
| the ground, neither showing any lack Q
nerve. We would caution all person
against any hasty conclusions, becaus'
/ where there is so much sbrouded in mys-
tery, much wrong may be done to the par
ties involved. -a-' rs er-
MR., GEO. WALLACE ARRESTED.
/ rs Mr.. Townsend's second, Mr.. Wallace
was arrested by the police last night abou
| Z O'Clock, on the corner of Whitehall ant
| Marietta streets.
From the Constitution, Oct. q.
NIB. TOWNSEND.
AS we go to press we are informed tha
the situation of the above named young
gentleman is as favorable as could be ex
peeted. He spit up last night smal
Quantity of blood, still nothing is appre
hended from it. No decision, we believe
has yet been positively reached whether
will be necessary to amputate his arm.
No other arrest shas been made since tn
one on Saturday night. 1t was rumore'
on the street this morning thai Mr.. Hustol
Force was seen in one Of our busines
houses last night.
Another duel growing out Of the affair
rumored.
WIDOWS AT HOTELS.
The London Saturday Rerte11 has bee
publishing some slashing articles on SO
ciety in general, and from one on "Hott
Life - we extract as follows:
| 4 Arrffr hAahf