The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1876-03-20
A DESPERATE DUEL.
An Old Story RetoId--Thc Fight In the Pi

An Old Story Retoid.-Thc Fight In tho Pit.
It's now over thirty years since ono
OF the most remarkable, despente, and
murderous duels that ever took place in
this or any other country was fought in
Vic!isburg. OGc OF tic parties was for
ncrly New York boy, who was q
graduate from one tho banks. After fill.
ing oil OF tho desks OF that institution
with singular ability, from collecting
clerk up to the position OF first teller,
while still quite young man no wasap-
pointed cashier OF n bank in Vicksbnrg,
which gave ofIense and caused great
jealousy among tho senior clerks OF that
institution, and they took every oppor-
tunity to oppose and insult him. This
became so marked and unbearable in its
character that the president finally told
the cashier that he must resent it, and
that he would stand by him. Ho had
an occasion soon after to give ono OF
the tellers specimen OF his skill in the
art of self-dcfense. This resulted in q
challenge for duel, which was accept.
cd and IVES fought after three days OF
constant pistol practice, resulting III the
death of the teller. He had numerous
relatives that, one after another, came
forward to avenge his death, until four
dueIs were forced upon tho cashier from
tho natural consequences OF the first
duel, and "still there were more Rich
monds in the field." A relative of the
first victim, IN editor and successful
duelist, gave out threat tilat he was
coming to town to avenge the death OF
cousin. His great courage and desper-
ate fighting qualities had been frequent
ly successfully tried, and were go well
known that something desperate must
be done to meet the emergency, and i
possible to stop any and all future chnl.
lenges. The editor arrived in town, and
lost no time in sending his message,
which was as promptly responded to.
EARLY in the morning Of the same day
all OF the arrangements were made for Il
meeting ut six o'clock the next morning.
After making some necessary arrange.
meuts in case OF death, the cashier went
to bed, and slept until four A. NJ, hHv-
ing all this time forgot the almost wor
shipful love and devotion OF his wife and
only child, who were in profound ignor-
ance OF his desperate enterprise. He
silently kissed them; and then the hus-
band and father stole away to attend to
tho bloody business that he deemed i'm.
perative, according to "the code OF
honor" and the loose morals OF the in
habitants in that vicinity. He went forth
with firm determination "to conquer
or die!" On arriving at the appointed
rendezvous, he found trench dug six
feet deep, two feet wide, aud twelve feet
long. Into this double grave the two
principals descended, each armed with
six.shootiug navy revolvcrs, and having
bowie knives, with instructions to COM
mence firing ut the word, and advance
and finish the bloody work with their
knives, il the pistols failed to accom-.
plish it. At tho first shot the editor was
mortally wounded. He drew his knife,
and with the ftrocity Of q tiger, sprung
forward at his opponent, Just as he had
fired his second shot. Ho warded off
the blow with his pistol, which had n
deep cut in it made by the heavy knife,
showing what desperate blow had been
aimed at his life by his adversary, who
fell dead at his feet. The cashiers mind
was so much diseased that he could not
attend to business, and by the advice OF
his physician took o vacation and
change OF scene. he went 10 New York,
and died in q lunatio asylum month
after.