South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1873-05-23
The Richmond Duel.

LILO IkCuIuOQQ Ou6l.
The Richmond Enquirer gives the particulars
OF the duel fought near that city on the 9th inst.
1t says:
A few days since difficulty occurred at
the club between Mes.rs. j. b MoRDE-
CAL and PAGE McCARrY, two young gen.
tieman OF Richmond, iu which blow pass
Ell from the former to The latter. A Cor.
respondence was promptly opened, and all
Efforts TO effect a reconciliation proving
fruitless a meeting was determined upon.
The time Was fixed for 8 O'Clock Friday
evening, aud the place Was selected, on the
York River railroad, about half Q mile
from BLAKEY's mill. The most profound
secrecy wss observed, and no intim1tion of
1t reached the police until the hour of ths !
meeting bad passed and tho mischief va
done. The chief Of police got wind of th
affair about 6 O'Clock, aud immedia :el
took horse for the scene Of action. Arriv
Jog there about 7 o'clock, he discovered The
principals stretched on the ground where
they had fallen, and four friends aud tw,
surgeons with them.
MIR. MoRDEoAI was found to be shot ia
the abdomen, and il 10 feared, dangerous
ly wounded. Mr.. McCARTY received al
flesh wound in the thigh. The principals
were taken to their respective residences,
and the friends were arrested and bailed to
appear before the Police Court Monday.
1t is said that Col. w. b. TABB, Of West
Virginia, and JOHN j. MEREDITH were
seconds of Mr.. MCCARTT, aud w. l..
RoYALL and WILLIAM TRIGo for Mr..
MOnnROAT
tolls, under the usual code regulations.
AS the two parties approached each 9th
er on the field each gentleman present
raised his hat, aud Messrs. TABB and Roy.
ALL without q moments delay proceeded
to make the fioal arrangements. The choice
of pistols fell to Mr.. McCARTY, and his
FREUD, Col. TABB, also won the privilege
OF giving the words of command. The re-
volvers were loaded and the principals put
face to face. Messrs. MoRDEcAI and Me-
CARTY were both perfectly cool aud colec :.
ted, neither showed the least sign of agi-
tation or slightest mark Of excitement, and
when placed in position, faced each other
in manner that indicated their determ ina
ton to make desperate fight. There was
absolutely no advantage in position though
the choice had fallen to Mr.. MCCARTY.
They stood on 9 line running north and
south, and the sun just sinking in the
west fell aslant Of each of them.
The words were to be "ars you ready"
"Fife"-"one," "t,co," "hree," and the
parties were to fire not before some" nor
after "three." The words care you ready"
were slowly and distinctly uttered by Mr..
TABB, aud responses came promptly and
clearly from MoRDEcAI and MCCARrY,
"ready;" then as TABB said "fire," the
two pistols were raised and steady aim
taken at the word "two," both fred, and
so nearly together in point of time, that il
seemed rs if only one weapon had been
discharged. As the smoke cleared away
both parties were observed etaudiDg quiet.
ly in place. Ii being appsrant thai his
adversary was unhurt Mr.. McGaRrY de-
manded another fire. Mr. Alcae. sea- read
lily acceded, and the same instructions as
to firing rs before was given the principals
They fired this time between "wo" and
"three," and both fell simultaneously.
MoRDEcAT turned to the right, as il about
TO raise his foot from the ground, then half
fell and toppled over upon his side. Nc.
Carly fell forward like a statue pushed
down from behind. His feet scarcely
moved from their tracks, and he went TO
the earth face foremost. Surgeons were
Immediately sent for, and Drs. HUNTER
MCGUIRE and j. DORSEY CULLEN in few
seconds appeared upon the scene. 1t was
at first thought that MoRDECAI way dying,
aud the seconds, with out any exchange of
special formaliiies came to the conclusion
that the matter had gone far enough.
MoRDECAI however, offered to give Nc
Carly another shot, but of course the idea
was not entertained.
The di ffculty originated in the publication of
the following verses, which at the time were
considered harmless but having reference to a
lady, led to the duel:
When Mary's queeEly form press,
In Strauss latest waltz;
would as well her lips caress,
Although those lips be false.
For still with fire love tips his dart,
And kindes up anew
The fame which once consumed my heart,
When those dear lips were true.
or form SO fair, Of faith go faint,
II truth we're only in her,
Though she'd be then the sweetest saint,
I'd still feel like a sinner
Major Poe, Chief Of Police, when be
reached the almost inaccessible field, he al
once said to those present: "Gontlemen
you are all my prisoners but as those poor
wounded men must 6rst be taken care Of
| will take your word to report to me ia
the morning"
All readily pledged themselves and ac.
cepted ths parole The chief then sp
preached Mr.. MoRDEcAI, who appeared e
be suffering most, and Who excited hi.
sympathy, when the following conversation