Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-04-24
A MISSISSIPPI DUEL.
The Principals being Negro WOmen,
who Fight with Butcher. Knives
In Close Quarter-NiDe
Wounds Inflicted.

men, fannle Williamson and Rose Les
ter, fought a duel with butcher. knives 10
an old field, neal Tillatoba Station, Yala-
blsha county, Mississippi. There are
conflicting reports relative to this san.
culinary conflict, the origin of which was
due to jealousy. 1t seems that a colored
gentleman, whose true name is Calvin
Moore, had been paying attention to both
Of the above women. Unfortunately he
presented she Of the women with a ysl
low calico dress and broad brim hat or.
namented with spring COVERS. This
being made known, it excited ahe other
female darkey, who at once challenged
her rival to mortal combat. The chal
leage was duly accepted, the wea.
pons being butcher knives, and
the distance apart three feet. a
negro boy, regarded as an expert 10
drawing marble rings, was engaged to
work the boundaries OF the field" This
be did, and at the appointed hour the
colored smazons met in mortal combat,
each being scantily dressed, for the day
was warm, and both determined to live
or die, sink or swim. The signal being
given, the two women advanced toward
each other, each drawing a great butcher
knife, whica flashed in the afternoon
sunlight like unto the avenging honor
within their souls. Ali at once Rose Les
ter drew a large hickory stick which she
had concealed 10 her clothing, and with
this madq a powerful assault upon Fan.
ME williamson, who had no other weap.
on save a butcher knife. Rose Lester,
doubtless unawa that che had violated
the code duello in bringing along that
stick, and probably not caring for thil
infraction Of chivalric ethics, dis
played great dexterity 10 the combat
The first blow broke one OF Fannie Viii
liam's iogers and the succeeding one
shattered her right wrist. The cleaning
butcher knife dropped from Fannie Will.
liamson's hand, who then sprang forward
aud tried to QUIT her adversary down.
This attempt to initiate the bull-lioness
fight at San Antonio met with nc
success, for Rose Lester, jumping
aside, dealt her adversary severa.
severe blows, which fslled her to the
ground. With q ferceness like unto q
wild beast, Rose Lester spraDg upon the
PROSTATE form of Fannie williamson,
who began to scream for help. Severa.
negroes who occupied %neighboring cabins
rushed to the scene OF bloody %reOcontre
and arrived none too soon, for already
had the sharpened butcher.knife of Rose
Lester pierced the head, neck and
shoulder of Fannie Williamson, inAieting
nine ugly and dangerous wounds. Three
negro men pulled Rose Lester off thu
bleeding woman, aud had some difficulty
in quieting the incensed victor, who de
clared that she had avenged herself, bu.
was sorry she had not killed Fannie
Williamson. Rose Lester was arrested
and the affair is to be investigated by tn,
legal authorities. The man Moore has
fed ia terror. and it is probable that be
will not soon return to the locality whert
such deeds Of valor have atlested the de
votion Of two loving women to one man
The wounds of Fannie Williamson ar,
quite severe, but may not prove fatal
She is attended by Dr.. Gordon. w
hear that the duel caused some excite
ment among the darkeys 10 the neigh
borhood. The seconds have escaped ar
rest.