Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-05-05
THE HORN LAKE DUEL.
.:.,'i S;.S: .: 81 n: a.sss s..

WWgraOFdinnry Fight on Record
The wounded Recovering.
In Saturdays LrDoER appeared an
account Of the shotgun duel At Horn
Lake, Desoto county, Miss, between Col
VIM. Boteler and Mr.. Winfield Nc
ClellAnd, which took place last Friday
evening. There we're quite number Of
citizens at Horn Lake when the belli'
rersnts walked out hundred yards from
the depot to settle a difficulty without
seconds, rs none Of the gentlemen pres
ent would act in the matter, the parties
having heretofore been good friends, but
had quarreled over their cups about
some trivial matter Those in town
could see the lighters on the hill, and
could hear the loud conversation as they
we're preparing for the contest. Colonel
Boteler loaded his gun with heavy SPUR
rel shot, having determined not to kill
his opponent, but 10 cripple him by
shooting him in the legs. Mr.. hcClel-
land, however was not so considerate,
as he rammed down sixteen buckshot in
each barrel. 1t was agreed that Nc
Clelland should pace of twenty steps
from where Boteler stood; then McClel'
land was to whirl and both parties were
to FIRE. McClelland marched of, never
looking back, bat called out the PAGES as
he went. When he called twenty he
shouted, Boteler, are you readyT
Ready" answered the Colonies then
McClelland wheeled, and stimuli
taneous discharge of the guns took
place, Boteler firing both barrels at once
and McClelland but one. The Colonel
was unhurt, but McClslland fell, shot
through the left leg. He got up, how
ever, and as he staggered he turned
loose the other load. Boteler approached
him and extended his hand, saying:
+" McClelland take my hand and let us
be friends" "Tll be id if / do, was
the answer. Some parlying took place,
McClelland insisting that he would load
his gun again. Colonel Boteler took
the precaution to place some buckshot
in his pocket, and answered; McClel-
land, you are not much hurt. shot
you with squirrel shot, as l did not de-
sire to kill you, but if you load again,
next time / will kill you certain" By this
time number of citizens, seeing the
puffs of smoke and hearing the report OF
the guns. ran up and stopped all further
proceedings. DR.. Baskerville attended
the wounded man, and extracted fifteen
or twenty shot from his left leg. SIEVE
raj of the leaden missiles entered the
knee and ankle joints, and these could
not be extracted. Yesterday Mr.. Nc
Clelland was suffering intensely, but was
in no danger either to die or lose his
leg. and no doubt in month he will be
up and we'll, but in all probability will
have a stiff leg during life. Both par
ties were arrested and were brought be-
fore a magistrate on Saturday afternoon,
and both had to be discharged, as no
witnesses we're present st the impromptu
duel the firing being only heard and the
wounded man being discovered soon
afterward. The grand jury Of DeSoto
county may make more serious affair
out Of it at the next term of court, but
by that time the fight will almost be for
gotten, and the circunstantial evidence
in the case may become so weak as to
be of little force toward sustaining an
indictment for duelling on the sacred
soil of Mississippi.