The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1877-02-10
Fighting FItz.eraId's Life.

| New York Sun: When Mr.. Fitzgerald was
introduced at the French court to King LOUIS
iXVI., the ambassador, thinking to compli-
ment the courage of Fitzgerald, said: Your
majesty, this brave gentleman has killed nine
teen antagonists in as many duels, and never
has been woundedr' The king replied IN
sorrowful rebuke: IN. rAmbassadeur! !
should have been more pleased to have heard
/ that he had saved the lives Of nineteen per-
SONS, or of even one OF his majesty subjects .
| It was fact that he had never been wounded
though opposed by excellent marksmen, VINO
were instructed in those days 10 aim between
the belt and throat; for, to shoot above or BE-
low was considered ungcn,lcmanly and non-
cavalIerO.
Fitzgerald was q terror in the society OF
every club, and he belonged to many; Tor no
person dare blackmail him for fear of lead
en- ball in return No one presumed to put
| his name upon the bulletin for expulsion for
| fear of bullets in his own body. He insulted
any one who offended him by blow on the
face with his glove. The insulted gentleman
was compelled to challenge him, which gave
Fitzgerald the choice of weapon-his deadly
pistol, with which he had often souited'
candle out at ten PAGES.
People wondered how it was that he was
never wounded. Many were the surmlses
with bated breath and Whispered suggestions
AT that time, In Ireland, duelling was the
fashion, and ladies favored no lover who had
not been out with his man. Fitzgerald, of
noble family, was their reigmng favor'te.
There lived in county Galway a rich coun
try gentleman, Richard Martin, who became
renowned as modern RichaHl CGur de Lion
He was the father of Animal Martini" so
called from his humanity to animals--the
Henry Bergh of parliament, Richard Mar
tin was a quiet brave man in manners the
reverse of Fitzgerald, who was irivollty per-
! sOnified.
The conversation at the club turned upon
the marvellous career of the latter, when Mr..
Martin observed that he did hot believe Fitz-
gerald dare fight duel with his body to his
| belt entirely naked This suggestive remark
reached the duellist, who instantly insulted
Martin by striking him acroIs the face with
| his glove. Richard Martin had never fought
duel, being opposed to it upon principle,
unless for libel or SANDER, OF gross personal
assault. He was, therefore, compelled to
chsllenge-which fact gave Fitzgerald the
choice of weapons. Martins second insisted
that the principals should beplaced at thirty
PAGES distance, approach each other at the
signal, and fire at pleasure as hey approached
each step of course lessenng the distance
between them This arrangement was agreed
to, the distance measured, and the men placed
face to face. "Arc you ready, gentlemen?"
" Yes" zone, two three, ard fre?'
It was noticed that Fitzgenld was nervous,
even in the prelimnaries, 70; the original re-
mark of Martin causing tie duel strongly
suggested knowledge or belid as to the fraud.
ulently concealed armor. THY had advanced
only two PAGES each, when Fitzgerald sud
denly fired and, for the firsttme missed his
man, his bullet, however, carrying away a
portion of Martins shirt ruffle. The arrange
ment was that when either had fired he was
to stop and receive the fire of his opponent:
There were twenty-siX PAGES left between
them and Richard Martin slowly advanced
and when within only four PAGES fired point
blank at the very heart of Fitzgerald, who
stood erect, smiling, and unhurt. Martin in
stantly reversed his pistol, seized The barrel,
and, rushing upon Fitzgerald, inflicted ter
blow before the seconds could interfere, and
as quickly tore open the embroidered shirt
of his PROSTATE foe, dirclosing to tie eyes OF
all the concealed bule,, proof coatOf mail
close steel chain or ring armor, lined with a
wadded inner coat, impervlous 10 bullet,
sword, or dagger.
| After the duel, and in consequence of it,
came in the fashion of fighting mixed TO the
waist.
! Fitzgerald died almost instantly Richard
Martin was tried for murder and Iquitted by
reclamation, not only by the iurS but by all
Ireland, England and Europe, Who saluted
him as a public benefactor.