The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-05-16
THE RICHMOND DUEL.
Excitement Over the Death Of Mordecai-The
Other Principal Closely Guarded, though
Dangerously Wounded-Flight Of
the Seconds-An Unavoid-
able Fatality.

RICHMOND, Va, May Is, 1873.
Since the death OF Mr.. J. Il. Mordecai-one OF the
principals in the late due-the excitement in re-
laton to the tragic termination OF that event has
increased. Both principals ana seconds belonged
to the eiite OF society here and when the matter,
which at drst was only offence termed felonious
shooting. became In reality MURDER under the
laws If the State for which all the parties con-
cerned were equally held guilty. 1t assumed q
more serious and terrible aspect. Before the
death OF Mr.. Mordecai the other parties
engaged in the duel were arrested under
the duelling act and bailed. Mr.. McCarty In the
sum OF 5000. and the accessories, as charged In
the sum OF $4,000 each. They are now charged with
murder, which is not bailable offence, and last
night, when the Chief OF Police had procured a
new warrant for the rearrest OF all the parties,
none could be found but Mr.. Page mccarthy. the
other principal, who was lying dangerously
wounded at the residence OF his mother, on Upper
Main street. All tho seconds were either hid or
they had absconded to avoid going to Jail, until
arrangements could be perfected among their law.
yers for concerted plan OF defence. Mr.. McCarty
was
CLOSELY GUARDED ny POSSE
OF special c0nstables sworn In for that purpose his
condition not being such as to admit OF his removal
70 jail. The seconds who could not be found were
Messrs. w. l.. Royal and W. X. Trigg, on the part
OF Mr.. Mordecai, deceased, and Messrs. VIM. Is.
luDU duu d. -. meTeulJn on the part OF Mr. MCCarty.
The two latter supposed TO be still in the city,
while the two former are said to have taken a n.y.
ing trip to Baltimore 1t Is announced by friends.
however that all the seconds will be forthcoming
tomorrow morning and will surrender themselves
to the authorities, subject to any disposition that
may be made OF them To-day coroner's Inquest
was held upon the remains OF Mr.. MOrdecai, and q
P0ST-MORTEM EXAMINATION
revealed the fact that the pistol ball had entered
at a point about two and q half inches from
the navel passing under the muscles in q
HORIZONTAL direction till It reached the middle tine
where 1t was detected downward and backward,
entering the cavity OF the abdomen, and passing
through the left bone OF the pelvis ium and being
found in the flesh OF the left hip, about inch from
the surface. There was intense inflammation or all
the abdominal organs. The intestnes were not
perforated, and death is attributed to pertOnitis
The testimony Of the Chief OF Police went to show
how that, because OF the lateness OF the notice
which he had Obtained-fve minutes before the
hour appointed for the duel-he did not
arrive on the ground until it was over
When Sn1e he reached the almost inaccessible
WHAT THE CHIEF OF POLICE SAID.
gentlemen, you are all my prisoners but as
these poor wounded men must first be taken care
morning. All pledged themselves and accepted the
parole. The Chief then approached Mr. MOrdeca
who appeared to be suffering most, and who ex
cited his sympathy, when the following converse
ton ensued between them:-
II regret that, for your sake, did not arrive
in time to stop this" said the Chief.
ut would have been useless, Major, ana 1t is
better as it is, for now but one worthless man is
lost, whereas had this meeting not taken place,
We would in all probability nave met In the street.
and then some innocent person might have SUI
fered from our shets. No, 1t is best as it Isl you
could not have prevented IT,"
The testimony OF one OF the surgeons and an
other witness gave the asserted points in relation
TO the duel, heretofore related in the HERALD
though differing somewhat as TO details. The
inquest adjourned at eight O'Clock p M. TO meet
again at the call OF the Coroner.