Connecticut western news., 1876-03-24
A DESPERATE DUEL.

An Old Story RetOld.-The Fight in the Pit.
 It is now over thirty years since one of the most remarkable, desperate, and murderous duels that over took place in this or any other country was fought in Vicksburg. One of the parties was for merly New York boy, who was 8 graduate from one the banks. After fill ing all of the desks of that institution with singular ability, from collecting clerk up to the position of first teller, while still quite young man he wasap- pointed cashier of bank in Vicksburg, jealousy among the senior clerks of that tunity to oppose and insult him. This became so marked and unbearable in it's character that the president finally told the cashier that he must resent it, and that he would stand by him. He had an occasion soon after to give one of the tellers specimen of his skill in the challenge for duel, which was accept constant pistol practice, resulting in the relatives that, one after another, came forward to avenge his death, until four duels were forced upon the cashier from the natural consequences of the first duel, and "still there were more Rich monds in the field" A relative of the first victim, an editor and successful duelist, gave out threat that 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 50 well known that something desperate must be done to meet the emergency, and if possible to stop any and all future chal- 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 a meeting at six o'clock the next morning. After making some necessary arrange
 ments in case of death, the cashier went to bed, and slept until four A. M., hay ing all this time forgot the almost wor- shipful love and devotion of his wife and only child, who were ill profound ignor- ance of his desperate enterprise. He silently kissed them; and then the hus- band and father stole away to attend to the 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 diel" On arriving at the appointed rendezvous, he found trench dug six feet deep, two feet wide, and twelve feet long. Into this double grave the two principals descended, each armed with six-shooting navy revolvers, and having bowie knives, with instructions to com mence firing at the word, and advance and finish the bloody work with their knives, if the pistols failed to accom- plish it. At the first shot the editor was mortally wounded. He drew his knife, and with the ferocity of a tiger, sprung forward at his opponent, just as he had fired his second shot. He warded of the blow with his pistol, which had g 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 a vacation and a change ot scene. He went to New York, and died in a lunatic asylum a month after.