The New Orleans Democrat. (New Orleans, La.) 1875-1876, 1876-03-24
a DESPERATE DUEL.
A Fight with ncvOlycrs ana bowie Knives
In n Ell.
from the Commercial Advertisor.l

from the Commercial Adveitsor1
II Ia now over thirty years since one
OF the most remarkable, desperate and
murdorous duels that ever took place
was fought in Vicksburg. One Of the
parties was formerly u New York boy, u
graduate from one OF the Wall street
banks. After filling all the desks OF
that institution with singular ability,
from u collecting clerk up to the posi-
ton of first teller, while still quite n
young man he was appointed cashier OF
a bank In Vicksburg, which gave Of
Tense and caused much jealousy among
the senior clerks of that institution, and
they took every opportunity to oppose
and insult him.
This became SO marked and unbeara-
BILE in its character that the president
finally told the cashier that he must
resent it, and that he would stand by
him. He had occasion soon after to
give one Of the tellers u specimen OF his
skill in the art Of self-dcfense. This re-
suited IN challenge for duel, which
was accepted, and after three days OF
constant pistol practice resulted In the
death Of The teller. He had numerous
relatives that, one after another. came
forward TO avenge his death. until four
duels were forced upon the cashier
from the natural consequences or the
first duel, and "still there were more
Richmonds in the field.
A relative Of the first victim, IN editor
and successful duclist, gave out threat
that he was coming to town to avenge
the death Of his cousin. His great cour-
age and desperate fighting qualities had
been frequently successfully tried. ana
were SO well known that something des-
perate must be done to meet the emer-
Il IN, OH nm
all future challenges. The editor ar
rived In town, and lost no time in send
Ing his message, which was MS promptly
responded to. Early I'm the morning OF
the same day all OF the Arrangements
were made for u meeting Mt six O'Clock
the next morning.
After making some necessary arrange
mcnts in case Of death, the cashier went
to bed and slept until ". m, having all
this time forgotten the almost worship,
ful love and devotion OF his wife and
only child, who were in profound ignor-
ance OF his desperate enterprise. lie
silently kissed them, and then the hus,
band and father stole away to attend
the bloody business On arriving at the
appointed rendezvous he found q
trench dug six feet deep, two feet
wide. and twelve feet long Into
this double grave the two prin
cpals descended, each armed with
six shooting navy rcvolvers. and having
bowie knives, with instructions to com.
mence firing at the word, advance and
finish the bloody work with their knives
II their pistols failed to accomplish It
At the first shot the editor was mortally
wounded. He drew his knife, and witt
the fcrocity of tiger sprung forward at
his opponent just us he had fired his
second shot. He warded off the blow
with his pistol, which had u deep cut In
It made by the heavy knife, showing
what desperate blow had been aimee
at his life by his adversary. who fel
dead at his feet The cashier 8 mind wa'
so much diseased that he could no
attend to business. and by the advice o
his physician took Il vacation ant
change OF scene. He came to this cit,
and died in n lunatic asylum month
after.