The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-06-08
Hostile Meeting in a Beautiful
Suburb of Havana.
A NEW YORK DOCTOR FIGHTS A SPANIARD.
Senior COrlereal Wounds DR.. Curtis and
Then Kills Himself.
A PROBABLY CAUSELESS QUARREL.

Havana last night. Ii states that on Friday last a
duel was fought at the beauifulsuouru OF Marianao
between young New Yorker, named DR.. Alger-
non sidney Curtis, and Spanish tobacco dealer,
named salvador Corterea; tnat Dr.. Curtis was
wounded, ana that Coretreal, believing that he had
killed his opponent blew out mis- own Drains.
Both the parties are well known IN New York.
They were friends while mere, anu to throw light
upon the occurrence OF the duel between them 1t
Is necessary to tell something OF their peculiar
characters and OF the beginning Of their courtesy.
WHEN THEY FIRST MET.
Late In the spring time OF 1874 a Spanish gentle
man, giving his name AS Senior Salvador Cortereal.
arrived with his wife at a fashionable boarding
house IN Nineteenth street. near Fourth avenue,
where ne hired apartments, which he chose to
furnish himself. 1t was discovered by the
Cortereal had been III their company Tor
short time, that he was not
a communicative man; but rather taclturn, and
even moody at times. stu, he would very often
engage in conversation at the table, and at sGch
times would prove by his references and quo.
tations that he was man OF talent, cultivated by
travel and study. Mrs. Cortereal, an American
lady, seemed to be devoted to her husband, proud
OF mis- mental powers, yet occasionally expressing
by her action that she was in awe OF HIM.
THE DOCTOR ENTERS.
Soon alter the arrival OF Sehor and Mrs. Cor
tereal at the house In Nineteenth street another
but very different kind OF family party took up
their abode there. This party was composed OF
DR.. Algernon sidney Curtis, a young physician
without practice, somewhat dssipated, it is
said, and seemingly without q well poised
intellect; Mrs. curtis, youthful matron,
who appeared TO be stricken with sorrow
by the erratic life OF her husband, and three
very young children. There sprung up friend
ship between the two families. This attachment
was apparently encouraged more by the almost
simultaneous arrival OF the parties In the house and
the contguty OF their rooms tnan By any real SYM
patty between them. Mrs. Cortereal and Mrs. OUR
lis indeed were naturally enough attached to each
other, for both were members OF wealthy New
York families, and upon meeting found many
social topics upon which they were equally In
formed But the association OF Senior Cortereal
and DR.. Curtis was a matter Tor which no real
cause can be found. The latter was light In body,
as well as IN intellect About twenry-sx years or
age. he was snort and thin, light haired and blue
eyed, his manner without token OF manliness
nor OF healthy boyishness; he seemed, indeed an
enlarged infant, with feeble, dissoute instincts.
He was spendthrIlt and glorlfed himself as q
true gentleman, and therefore being who should
labor neither with mis- hands head. He often
declared, 1t is said, that
NO MAN WHO LAbOhED
could be q true gentleman. Hence his only real
business In life was to engage in freaks that
brought sorrow and dismay TO his respectable
parents and the estimaoe mother OF his children.
Mr. Cortereal, on the other hand, was a strong
manly person. ABOUT nve feet nine inches high
well developed, and with o dark lace, on which
intelligence was depicted. He impressed every
one with the belief that he was sturdy man,
yet inspired very few with desire to be
friendly. He spoke English, French and
German almost as nuently he did his native
tongue, the spanish. He appeared TO be q man
who lived very much within himseIf-that Is, he
brooded, and hence was sensitive and suspicious.
In him the fiery spanish nature was very fully de-
veloped. He was apt to take offence, mag
nlned slight omissions into great insults
TO himself, and resented them speedily and
powerfully. stu ne was o maa naturally
good at heart, and though he would do harm in
bis anger, when his nt was past would quickly
approach and apologize to those he hal been
embIttered against. Mr.. Cortereal, in fact, was
passionate man. but gentleman. He was en-
gagged In the tobacco business Ia this city, and mad
a branch establishment or agency In Havana.
Strange as 1t may be to the readers, incompre-
henslble as 1t was TO the observers at the
time, DR.. Curtis and Mr.. Cortereal during the
two months stay Of the former and his
family IN the NlncLeeutn street Tesluence,
BECAME GREAT FRIENDS.
And after Dr., curtis aud wife left the house
they remained sucn. Mr.. CortereaI and his vile
continued to reside in Nineteenth street, the
former until last April, the latter until the early
days OF May. In the meantime DR.. Curtis called
upon them very often. The departure OF Mr.
Corterea for Havana was very sudden. and ne,
therefore, lett mis- vile behind him 20 make all the
necessary arrangements here for their residence
in Havana for some time.
THE DOCTOR GOES TO HAVANA.
After DR.. Curtis and his family left Nineteenth
street tney went to the country, and upon their
return took their residence IN Sxtcent street,
where they remained unti about three weeks ago.
At that time the young doctor, VINO was still freak
ish as ever suddenly informed Mrs.. Curtis his wle,
that he was gong out o. town 70 be absent sew
eral Gays lie SAID no more out lett his home and
DO hlnt OF his Whereabouts was bad by his wife. or
parents, until sunday last, wnen MS father was
informed 10y thlrd party that ne was IN Havana.
In the meantime ms despalrlug wllc nad left tne
resiuence IN sixteenth street and gone back 10
tue nome OF her mother.
THE RELATIVES UNINFoRNED.
No information vas had OF the unfortunate AFFAIR
when nas happened in Havana by any OF DR..
Curtis relatives or acquaInlances until Il was
ing. sorrow and dlsmay were created BY the
news. Az The boarding mouse IN Nineteenth stress
sympathy was expressed Tor the suicide C0rtereal.
ls seemed 70 be tae General belief that
tue SUSPICIOUS and passionate Cortereal
hAu seen some unlmpOFtanb action OF
the freakisn young DOCTOR had brooded over IL
ana decided that 1t was an evidence OF Curtis
cuminanty toward hln, and had determnedly
sOught revenge. The belief was that the Spanafd
was mistaken ami that DR.. Cartis had done hIm
no real offence, for II was declared there was no
opportunity Tor evil, as Mrs. CortereaI was devoted
10 ner whimsical husband as out few women are
to their lords.
WAS CURTIS INsANEY
At another place, wnere DR.. curtis relatives re-
side II was declared that the last proof was given
that ne was insane and IL was believed that he
might nave done some strange act to arouse the
jealous anger OF COrteredl.
All that Is yet known OF
THE DUEL
Is told in the following despatch from Havana -
HAVANA June 5, 1875.
duel took place yesterday between DR.. Alger
non Sidney Curt 5, Of New YORK, and salvador
Cortereai, tobacco merchant II Havana and New
YORK. Tue combatants had been Intimate friends
for many years and lived t0getner In New YORK.
Or. curtis arrived here two weeks ago aud
stopping az COrteTcals house. lie states that
yesterday morning nc was awakened by
COrtercal Shaping his lace and accus-
ing nim OF Illicit connection with ms
rfFn hrf Ia