The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1879-07-18
BLOODY HAND 10 HAND AFFRAY.
IDeSotN Democrat. !

LDeSoto Democrat.l
1t is our painful duty to chronicle
one of the saddesi events that has ever
occurred in DeSoto parish. \ few
weeks ago, as we arc informed, ut a
party in Pleasant Hill, Mr.. l4arrie
Armstrong, a son of eX-State Senator,
II. l.. Armstrong, met Miss Foster,
daughter of Prof. Josh Foster of that
place, and because Of some real or inn
aginary slight on the part of Miss Fos-
ter, Mr.. lAarrie Armstrong, who was
doubtless under the influence of liquor
at the time, grossly insulteti tho young
lady upon the ball room floor. Mr..
Wyatte Foster, Il brother of the young
lady, was absent ut the time, but on
Saturday last he returned home, and
upon hearing the circumstances, on
the following morning he wrote Mr..
Larrie Armstrong u note demanding
an explanation; Mr.. a. replied by
writing on the back OF Fosters note
that he (Armstrong) could be found at
his house. On the same evening, (Sun-
day last) while Mr.. Armstrong was
out walking with one or more young
ladies he met Foster, who refused to
speak to Armstrong, whereupon Arm
strong told Foster that he would see
him in town in q few minutes. FOs-
ter walked down town and took a scat
on the gallery in front of Mr.. Gooch's
store. Shortly afterwards Mr.. Arm
strong, having escorted the young IL
dies home, approached Mr.. Foster and
remarked that he was ready, and both
parties stepped Off the gallery and
drew their pistols and began firing ut
each other; the evidence being con-
tlicting in regard to who fired the first
shot, but most of tho witnesses say
that Mr.. Armstrong fired first. They
were so close that their pistols Tapped
and each party would knock the others
pistol up with his own, and by this
means several shots were fired without
effect. Foster having cmptied his pis-
tOl turned his back to Armstrong and
began to walk of, replacing tho cart
ridges in his pistol at the same time,
he stumbled and fell over Il plank,
when Armstrong rushed upon him and
stabbed him in tho back with a gimlct
dirk, inflicting mortal wound. Fos-
ter rose and clubbing his pistol struck
Armstrong over the head several times;
Armstrong drew another pistol and
fired two more shots, one of which
sank to the ground, anu expired in Il
few minutes. His mother who re-
sided near by, reached him before he
died and he recognized and spoke to
her, which was the only word he ut
tered after the shooting. After tho
killing Armstrong walked towards his
residence, and Hon. r. l.. Armstrong
who is skillful physician, went tc
the scene of the affray to do what Inc
could for Foster, but his services were
of no avail. 1t is said that Armstrong
was wounded in three places, once in
the left side, once in the right shoulder
and once in the l, IT wrist, but they
are all doubtless very slight, as the
officers have been unable to effect his
arrest. Tho people of Pleasant Hill
were very negligent of their duty in
not at once taking Mr.. Armstrong into
custody, for there was no necessity for
a warrant, and every man present could
act as an officer. Justice John Robin
son issued Il warrant as soon as the
facts became known to him, and put
it in tho hands of Constable Webster,
but at the time Of this writing no ar
rest has been made. Both parties are
of the best families in this part Of the
State, and have large and influential
connections.
=. S.-Sincc the above was put in
type, Constable Webster has returned,
and reports that he followed Armstrong
to the Sabine river, and that he crossed
into Texas. If he is wounded at all, it
is only very slightly.