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

New York SIN: When Mr.. Fitzgerald was
introduced at the French court to King Louis
XVI, the ambassador, thinking to compli'
mcnt 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's subjects. .
It was fact that he had never been wounded
though opposed by excellent marksmen, VINO
were instructed in those days to aim between
the belt and throat; for, to shoot above OF De-
! low was considered ungcn,lcmanly and non
cavalIerO.
Fitzgerald was terror in the society OF
every club, and he belonged to many; Tor no
person dare backmal him for fear of lead.
en- ball in return. No one Presumed 10 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 insuled gentleman
was compelled to challenge him, which gave
Fitzgerald the choice of weapon-his deadly
nistol, with which he had often souifed" a
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 Richaul CTur 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 MIR.
Martin observed that he did bot believe Fitz.
gerald dare fight a duel with his body to his
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
challenge-whlch 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 lesseung the distance
between them. This arrangement was agreed
to, the distance measured, and the men placed
face to face. Are you reaoy, gentlemen"
" Yes" cone two, three, ard fire."
It was noticed that Fitzgerild was nervous,
even in the preliminaries, 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 tirsttime missed his
man, his bullet, however, carrying away a
portion of Martins shirt ruftle. The arrange
ment was that when either had fired he was
to stop and receive the fire of his opponent:
There were twentysiX PAGES lett 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
siantly reversed his pistol, seized The barrel
and, rushing upon Fitzgerald, inflicted a ter.
blow before the seconds could interfere, and
as quickly tore open the embroidered shirt
of his PROSTATE foe d,.closing to tie eyes OF
all the concealed bullol.prOof coatof mail
close steel chain or ring armor, lined with
wadded inner coat, impervious TO 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 aquitted by
reclamation, not only by the jurS but by all
Ireland, England and Europe, Who saluted
him as public beneiactor.