Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-04-07
DEADLY DUELIsrs.
IsrO Youny VirOinians Exchange Shots at
Str PAGES, Resulting In the Death OF One
Co'abatant aud the Mortality Wonndi,g
of the Other.

otS races, Resulting In the Death OF One
Conabatant aud the Mortality Founding
of the Other.
A dispatch from Crisfeld, Nd, to the Bal
timore Gazette says:
A shooting afray took place between Mai.
Sidney Pitts and A. P. Thorn at Eastyille,
Accomac county, Va, on Thursday last,
which resulted in the almost instant killing
of Pitts and the fatal wounding of his an
tagonist. It seems that Pitts INDUCED in
gambling occasionally, and on one occasion
he had borrowed 500 from A. Birmingham.
who has since died, and A. P. Thorn, a Young
lawyer just admitted to the bar, became col.
lector for the deceased's estate. Find
ing an account against Pitts,
he presented the claim, which he
Pitts) acknowledged, but said he would paw
it when he pleased, declaring his intention to
go West. He started by the steamer Maggie
from that point to Baltimore. Thorn, the
lawyer, procured warrant to arrest Pitts
directed to the sheriff of the county; but
Pitts escaped arrest by defying the officer
and posse, and went to Baltimore on the
steamer Maggie for the West He subse-
quentiy determined to return and avenge the
insult, and did return and asked Thorn for
an explanation, to which Thorn exclaimed.
Il want nothing more to do with you!''
Pitts insisted on an explanation, when Thorn
drew revolver. Pitts then said ssThat is
just what want you to do,'' and drew his
| revolver. They then fred without
serious effect. Both kneeIed at the
same time to fix their pistols, that
had failed to revolve, and both rose at the
same time, firing simultaneously. The
charge of Thom's weapon took effect in the
heart of Pitts, while that of Pitts took effect
in the head or Thorn. Pitts died on the
spot, and Thorn lies in dying condition.
Both of them are young men and of re-
spectacle families. Alfred p. Thorn is a
son of Judge w. A. Thorn, of Virginia, and
nephew of DIR. j. Pembroke Thorn, of
Baltimore, member of the city council He
is unmarried. Sidney Pitts was a nephew
of Senators George r. Dennis, of the United
States Senate, and James U. Dennis, of the
Maryland State legislature He was also un-
married, and both his parents are dead. Both
of these were under 25 years of age.
ANOTHER ACCOUNT.
The Norfolk Virginaan gives the follow
ing account of the affair: The steamer N.
p. Banks, Capt. P. McCarrick, arrived at
her wharf yesterday evening from Cherry
stone, Va, having on board the remains of
Maj. Sidney Pitts, second son of the late
Judge E. P. Pitts, of this city. It appears
that about three weeks ago young Pitts
borrowed from MIR. Elijah Birmingham, the
postmaster at Eastville, the sum of 500. In
the meantime Mr.. Birmingham was taken
sick and died. His securities sought to col
lect the same from Mr.. Pitts, whom they un-
derstood was on the point of leaving for the
West. Mr.. Pitts acknowledged the indebted
ness, but consulted his brother, Mr.. E. p,
Pitts, a practicing attorney in Eastville, to
know if he should pay the amount to them
His brother advised him, as an attorney, as
we'll as relative, not to pay until curator
to settle the affairs of Mr.. Birmingham
should be appointed by the court, otherwise
he might be called upon to pay the amount
second time. Mr.. A. p. Thorn was ap-
pointed curator. A capias was issued, and
the services of the jailer, w. E, Collona,
were called into requisition, who, in COM
pany with Mr.. Thorn, proceeded to Hunger's
wharf, on the morning of the 18th, where il
was expected Mr.. Pitts would take the
steamer Helen for Baltimore.
On arriving at the wharf it was found that
Mr.. Pitts was on board the steamer; Collona
approached MIN and handed him the paper
remarking, 81 arrest you." Pitts, not recog.
nizing his authority, took the paper and de.
liberately tore it in pieces. Some harsh
words then passed between Mr.. Pitts and
Mr., Thorn, and posse conitatus was sum
moned to effect the arrest, but without sue
cess, the steamer Helen, when her time came
for departure, moving off with Mr.. Pitts on
board. On Monday morning Mr.. Pitts re-
turned to Eastville, from Baltimore. On ar
irving he spent part of the day at Eastyille
and afterward went out to the residence of
his brother, Mr.. E. P. Pitts, about three
miles from town, where he remained until
Wednesday morning.. when he returned to
Eastville. On Thursday morning Pitts, with
a number of other gentlemen were seated or
the steps of the store of r. V. nottingham,
when Mr.. Thorn was seen approaching, in
company with negro boy, whom he en-
ployed to attend at his Office, which was To-
Gated between the store of Mr.. Nottingham
and the court house. After passing the
store he was hailed by Mr.. Pitts, who stated
that he wished to see him in order to get an
explanation for his action in seeking hi
! in six or eight feet of each other. Mr.. Thon
replied, '.that he had no explanation t.
make" It is then stated that Pitts usee
0DO0A'O S5uesS9OS 4CAA14 Mfg 1Ou al
a id scoundrel and a d.
rascal, whereupon pistols wer,
drawn and the two commenced firing
each discharging two shots, and both falling
at the same time, Pitts, it is thought, sho
through the heart, expiring Immediately
Thorn received Pitts shot just under tn
nose, slightly to the right, breaking the up
per jawbone and several teeth, decorating til
roof of the mouth, and burying itself in tn
neck, near the vertebr@. The physicians
Or. George Ker, DR.. G. w. Smith, DIR. W
S. Stokley, and DR.. John T.. Wilkins, ha
not, up to the latest reports, been able to fin
the ball. He bled profusely, having hemor
rhages up to a late hour Thursday eveaine
and it is feared that there is not much hop
for his recovery.
i The pistol used by Thorn was seven
inch barrel Colts futed navy revolver
That used by Pitts was of the Hopkins I
Aliens make, fve-shooter. Both when pick
ed up had two chambers empty. A repol
states that the evening previous tothe shoot
ing Pitts went to the undertaken in Eastvill
and told him to take his measure for bur
al case, as he expected it would be require
the next day. It is also stated that on th
first shot Pitts was wounded in the rigI
! wrist, which disabled him from cooking b
, pistol and that he went to The corner of
house and pred the trigger up, during whic