Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1873-04-12


so CHANGED at the same time that Turner
was on n similar purpose. While SO oc-
cupied, and hurrying forward with all
their combative natures fully aroused,
and unmindful of all the world save their
own reflections, they ran full tilt against
one onother-face to face-as they turned
the corner of street. Looking up, and
instantly recognizing one another in the
full glare of the moon, they each re-
coiled step and glared at one another
with mutual defiance. Capt. Turner,
much the more impulsive and excitable
! of the two, exclaimed, with kissing rage,
"What do you mean, sir? Are you i'm
patient for the morning? If so, sir, we
will adjourn to the beach, and settle this
matter without delay"
Garrison, with deliberation and calm
ness peculiar to the man, replied, Mr..
Turner, your own good sense must tell
you that this meeting is purely acci-
dental and although not impatient for
the morning, yet will not disappoint
any wishes you may have for present
meeting"
Turner, still more nettled at Garrison's S
answer, replied in loud, angry voice ::
"Then follow me to the beach, and we
will settle the matter at once sir, and
led the way toward the broad, sandy belt
that stretched like silver band before
them. Though thus going forth to NOR
tai combat, it never occurred to either
that the other might take advantage of
his unguarded moments. So true is it
that the purely brave are devoid of sus-
picion as they are of treachery, and that
they instinctively recognize in another
the same heroic attributes that animate
themselves.
They were not alone in their march,
however, for their angry words and Tur-
ner's loud tones had attracted attention,
and several acquaintances followed them
and endeavoured to persuade them from
their deadly intentions but without
avail, although they one and all refused
to act as seconds when appealed to by
the belligerents. On arriving at the
beach it was found that Garrison had a
navy revolver and Turner o derringer,
the only weapons on the ground. 1t was
agreed that they should fight at the end
of pocket handkerchief, or at three
feet apart.
They proceeded with great deliber-
alton to draw cuts for the choice of
weapons ; and Turner won the navy and
Garrison the derringer.
They thus changed weapons. On Tur-
ner's receiving the revolver he quietly
rncapped all the chambers except one,
and handed the caps to Garrison, who
received them as matter of course,
and put them in his pocket without re-
mark
These brief arrangements were soon
completed, and, in spite of the entrea-
ties and remonstrances of friends, they
took their positions close up-face to
face-Garrison holding his derringer
down by his right thigh, ready to shoot
Turner through some vital part. And
Turner, strange and irregular as it may
seem, held the Colts revolver up to his
shoulder, the muzzle being about level
with the top of his ear. AS it was an
impromptu thing and no one present
would act as seconds, they agreed that
one, two, three should be slowly and de-
liberately repeated together, and at the
word three they were to be at liberty to
fire on one another.
The Commadore asked, care you
ready, Mr.. Turner ?'
81 am, replied Turner, 81 trust that
you are"
81 am, sir, said Garrison, "and we
will now proceed to give the word. One
-two-three. The first words were
spoken slowly, and the latter .simultane-
ously, but quick and sharp, and prompt
with its utterance rose Garrison's arm to
a level with his opponents heart, while
Turner's descended with vigorous jerk,
full in Garrison's face, then instantly
with these motions came n single loud re-
port. Both men recoiled, as though
wounded, Or rather staggered. By the
few bystanders who had before this re-
treated to safe distance ON the right
and left, it was hard to say who fired the
shot. Commodore Garrison was seen tc
put his hand to his face and Turner put
his to his side. On approaching, they
found the formers face bleeding; while
the latter's light summer clothes were on
fire, on his side near the region of his
vest pocket, which he was vainly endeav'
oring to extinguish. Just as they drew
near, Garrison said, Excuse me, Mr.
Turner, but allow me to help you - and
at once proceeded to assist him in putting
out the fire.
It seems that when the word three
was give, Turner was the least trifie the
quicker, and brought the revolver down
with a vigorous jerk, intending to shoot
Garrison through the head. But he was
so close to him that the muzzle of the
pistol struck the Commodore on the nose
just under the eye, infiicting something