Omaha daily bee., 1878-03-07

Ao
Dispatch to Cincinnati Enquirer.
Richmond, Va, February 2S.-Ths
atmosphere OF this vicinity has no,
been so filed with the dueliDg spirit
for years rs 1t is j0st low. The
challenges in Charles City county 8
few days ago, an account Of whict
l teiegraphed yesterday, added t.
what 1 am about to relate, make
five attempted duels within q week.
The latest and biggest sensation OF
the kind, MIR. Carter Branch and
Mr.. William a Grant being the
principal actors, happenel tolls after.
noon under the following clrcum,
stances: Both Of the parties named
belong to the swell society of Rich.
mond, Carter Branch being q son OF
Thomas Branch, president of the
Merchants National bank, and Viii.
liam 81 Grant being an accomplish
ed and popular gentleman, and the
leading baritone singer of the city.
On Thursday night, the 18th inst
each of these individuals attended q
grand society entertainment sts@n-
ger Hall, given by the upper-ten.
Now, Branch is young. that is,
about q; and Is just "comin2 out"
out SO to speak, while Grant is about
26, and, Of course, mas more of the
grace and polish than could De ex.
pected OF a stripling. Well, during
the danes Branch participated,
Grant looking on. Grant said to q
friend standing By: "Look at Car.
ter Branch; ne had better go to
dancing school again" Branch
overheard the remark, which it
seems had only been made only In
fun, and, when the set was ended,
he went to Grant and asked il 1t
was ment in earnest. At this Grant
brIstled mp, and, half in earnest,
said eyes; make the most OF It,"
Branch, who is known to be a hot.
headed youth OF the sort that Won d
tackle a sawmill, insisted that he
would have satisfaction. After q
few other words they separated, |
and no more was thought Of the
matter during The evening.
The next day Branch sent q cbal-
ienge gotten up in regular form, &C.
cording TO the code. Lieut.. Andrew |
of the City Guard, son of the
leading wholesale dry goods mer.
acted as his second. Upon
the receipt of the formal challenge
Grant consulted Mi. Meredith Mon.
and these two gentlemen
thought 1t best to decline. Grant
Is not a coward; on the other hand
Ia gallant, manly and intrepid,
out declined on account Of his phys
cal superiority and the difference
q the ages. He thought 1t would
never do. So the challenge Was
with contempt. This made
he challenging party very angry.
he went around talking about II,
md told his friends he would get
wen. To day at l O'Clock he had
.rmeo himself with 4 cowhide and
revolver, and, meeting his friend
Barksdale, says: $40
,ower on earth can keep me from
iowbiding Grant"
Tbis afternoon st 6 o'clock Grant
Vas sitting In Monroe Park, on
franklin street. With him were
Gated Mr.. Montsgue, Lis adviser,
nd Mr.. Male. Branch entered the
ark He walked 1T q rapid rate.
irant saw him. He had a pistol in
is overcoat pocket. He put his
and on bis pistol, aud said to his
riend, 81 am ready, but will keep
AS Branch approached his
ace indicated rage. His step grew
.ster q terrible scene seemed i'm |
When branch reached
re spot where Grant was sitting he
Nd: Cd d-n youf soul, Go you j
to fight q duel with me?" and =,
18th these words drew q long cow
ide from hi, sleeve. At this Grant
lmped NJ and told his enemy that ,
ne touched him lie would blow
is brains cut. /!
Then Branch drew from his peck. !
u tremendous revolr yer aud leveled
/. Grants friends interposed, aud '
ranch said he would only uncock
s weapon on one oondition-that
II Grant would fight a duel in l
10 morning. Just then q police. !
an came up and arrested all par /
ss. They we're taken TO the Third !
olice Station, where they were I
'und over n toe sum of $500 each 6
keep the peace. /
The affair caused. great excite '
ent, aud is the topic OF converse !
On tonight at all the crubs. Mr.. ,
rant Is well known IN Louisville q
1t wss his brother James .
ho killed Pollard ten years =
o, aud who is now on tine lyric +
age IS James Grant Russell.
a warrant was issued for
Q srrest OF G. F. Smith, q leader in
State Senate, charging him
tn being about to fight al
It is reported that 4
nator Smith had been chaI- =
,ged tY M. MoCue, a wealthy y
lien OF StsuntOD, to engage in 3
d affair OF honor The trouble
sv out ola newspaper correspond g g
ce. Smith is q handsome and r
pulRr bachelor, and is known in
3 General Assembly as the author =
many bills for the protection Of
3 widows and old maids. The
lice Sergeant who waited upon o.
Senator in the Capitol build.
!; being satisfied that the duel 81
nd not occur didn't make the III
arrest. q,
This morning two lawyers of
.nchester, opposite Richmond, 10
Djamin Coons and Robert l..
rslow, were arrested on the "
rye OF being about to engage in
.uel. They we're taken before lst