The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1875-09-09
THE STATE SENTINEL THURsDAl SEPTEMBER

few minutes. which instru ton they filled
to the very letter. The names of the parties
that went on the field were: Col. John n.
Edwards, the challenging principal; Col. ii.
d. Branch, second; DIR. Montgomery, sur
geon; DIR. Mumford, of the Kansas City
Times, friend; Major Foster, principal; w.
D. W. Barnard, second; DIR. P.S. O'Reilly,
surgeon, and the representative OF the Irl-
bune, friend. The spot selected was
couple of hundred yards to the west OF the
road, beautifully shaded valley in which
horses and cattle were grazing. The SECONDS
took up position near a tree and commenced
to examine the weapons. The principals
were a few rods apart, Foster reclining on
bank, cody smoking cigar, Edwards rest
ing with his back against tree, and con
versing with DIR. MumiOrd, with whom he
served in the confederate army. The sur
geons took their cases OF instruments to
the hillside, where they sat wstchiE +,
TRE PREPARATIONS FOR THE ENCOUNTER. Il
Some time was occupied in the examination
and loading OF the pistols, and while the
necessary part of the work was in progress
the principals each Invested himself of his
watch, and other articles which might turn
off a ballet. The next procedure was TO
measure the ground, a matter which was
gone through with business-like dispatch
and GOODNESS. Twenty PAGES was the dis
lance. The positions were north and south,
and were marked by short stake driven
into the ground. Branches of trees We're
cleared out of the way to prevent injury
from falls, and other details attended TO
which might render things comfortable for
the parties immediately interested. The
next important step was the toSs-up for
positions and the call. Branch, Edwards
second, won the choice OF position, and
Barnard the call. This fact was communi-
Gated to the principals, who expressed
themselves satisfied with the result. The
principals and seconds then walked up to
the ground. Edwards asked Fosters
opinion as to the position, but the latter
said he had no choice. They both received
their weapons from the seconds, and Ed
wards chose the south end of the ground.
Before the final arrangements were COM
pleted the friends were requested TO relieve
themselves of their pistols, a precaution
against a general skirmish should either
party feel aggrieved. DR.. Mumford was the
only one who had pistol on his person, and
be at once placed it in his valse. The con-
ditions of the fight were then read. Ed
wards requested Barnard to articulate the
words, "Are you ready? one, two, three"
in distinct manner, SO as to prevent un-
pleasant haste. Both men at this point
| displayed marvellous nerve, Foster smok
| ing his cigar in an UncOncerned way. Po-
sitions were then taken up, th9 seconds
shaking hands with their principals aud
1
| tall. At length all was ready. The seconds
had pistols in their hands ready to revenge
| any infringement OF the code. There was
an ominOus pause. At exactly D O'Clock the
men faced each other and took mental aim;
then came the words, "Are you resGy?" in
clear, distinct tones; "One, two" Before
the word three the
DUELIsTs FIRED ALMOST SIMULTANEOUSLY.
The surgeons snziously looked each to his
man, expecting him to fall. but neither was
wounded ga little high!' exclaimed Eos
ter, as soon as he had fired. Edwards
demanded another fire, in an excited tone.
His second asked if he would adhere to thas
resolution. 4Yes,,' be replied; cit iG just as
told you before we came on the field.
will go on if it takes a thousand fires;' and
with this bloodthirsty remark he set down
on the grass. Foster declined another fire.
He was the challenged party, and felt no
bitterness against his antagonist. There
fore, he was not anxious for blood. His
honor had been sustained as the challenged
party. Shots had been exchanged, ana that
was all that was necessary. Barnard
went to talk with Edwards, who was
heard to say: ST have admitted as E3uch as /
can do-hGve received no satisfaction to
take with me-" After the interchange of a
few words Edwards concluded to make the
thing up. He approached Foster, who was
cody awaiting the issue, pistol in hand, and
shook heHds. There was mutual congratu-
ton all ro1nd, and it was interesting to see
the brotherly love displayed by the two
men who two minutes before had faced each
other with death in their eyes. The genial
bourbon was produced, and the agreeable
termination to the affair toasted. short
time was spent on the grass in mutual OK
PLANTATION. and everything was forgotten
and forgiven. The parties then returned TO
| their backs, one shaping towards Bel0it, the
other to Rockford, which places they left in
the evening, but for what point the reporter
! failed TO ascertain.