Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1875-05-06
Pluck-a Duel at Four
Feet.

sissippi, became involved in a per-
sonal affair with young Cunning
ham, of the famous fighting Gun
ninghams, of South CaroIius.
Cunningham was not twenty-one.
He was a small handsome youth.
with long hair, bright blue eyes,
and very amiable, gentle manners,
but of most danntless determine
ton and cool courage.
Cunningham had dchalIenged Du-
vail, who had fought before, and
was regarded as an adept in the
duellO. Duvall, in spirit which
was considered as bordering On
braggadocio, accepted the chal-
lange, but prescribed the terms
that they should fight with pis-
tolls four feet of He evidently
mistook bis man if he imagined
that such terms would be rejected
by Cunningham. The parties met
opposite Vicksburg. An immense
concourse assembled to witness
the affair. The boyiSh Cunning
ham excited universal sympathy,
mingled with pity and admiration,
when be appeared on the field.
He looked younger and more boy
ish than he really was.
There was a serious design on
the part of the spectators to in
terfere and prevent the fight be-
tween a full grown man and a
mere 10y. But Cunningham and
his friends, by their determined
conduct, prevented all such inter-
ference. The parties were soon
stationed at their places, just four
feet apart by exact measurement.
Cunningham fixed his eye upon
lis antagonist with that peculiar
gentle smile cbalac: eristic Of him.
Duvall, though doubtless a brave
man, could not but feel and man
ifest some nervousness On the oc-
casioD, as be had prescribed the
perilous and desperate terms upon
which the combat was to be de-
termined.
Attention, was called, and the
parties declared they were''Ieady."
The word was given, and both par.
ties fired at the word "one." Du-
vail fell, shot through the iTeart.
Cunningham stood in his place un-
An Involuntary "hur-
rah" arose from the spectators at
the issue of an affair which had
enlisted their feelings SO warmly
in behalf Of the young David Of
this combat.
Cunningham was an amaibl an /
pleasant gentleman, and rar ~
became involved IN quarrels. Bui
on enc occasion be displayed hit
characteristic determination in q
manner that gave great satisflc-
tion to the lockers on. He was
the second Of young lawyer Of
New Orleans, who went out to
give satisfaction to another young
lawyer, who had been insulicd by
bis learned brother.
In order to obtain the use Of the
dueIi2g pistols of certain oio-
riousIy So called fighting man in
the city, who had great taste
for such affairs, it was necessary
TO take the BObadil wilh his pistols
rs a sort ofsupernumerary secCrd.
Accordingly Cunningham, with
his principal, and Bobsdil and his
''saw landles," proceeded d to The
Metairle coarse, where the meet
Ing was arranged.
The partit were stationed, the
word was given, and they fred
without effect. 4 parley was held,
and the challenging party decIar-
ng themselves satisfied, Cunning
ham, Of course, for his friend, ac-
lu.e-ced in the termination OF the
flair Thereupou Bobadil, who
lad been much disappointed at
the bloodless result, declared that
lis pistols never before missed;
hat this was mere chid's play.
md that when parties did take
lie trouble to come out to fight, be
liked to see something done.
wv cil, responded Cunningham,
IF you are so anxious to see 9 liz
lie blood shed / viii take great
pleasure in accommodating yen,
md in order TO justify you in
shedding a little cl my blood,
axe the liberty to say that con
:ider you a coward and a black
guard.
Bobadil remarked that he didn't
.ome there to fight, himself, bat to
ee others fight, and sluuk from the
ieid. He never again "went out,
ither As principal or second. Gun
iingham died ia New Orleans iu
854 Of consumption.
A man in Cincinnati owned a
Jet panther. The other day he