The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1880-08-26
MURDER UNFINISHED.


Nevada transcript.
The duel between Major Dibble, of the
navy, and Jim Lundy, the gambler,
which occurred at Industry Bar, on the
main Yubs, In this county, has been a
fruitless theme for numberless compilers
of pioneer history. s. 8. Crafts, mer-
chant Of Allegheny, who called at the
Transcript Office day before yesterday,
says that In all the accounts yet pub
ished the principal points were wrongly
stated. He was In the camp at the time,
and relates the circumstances of the
bloody incident as follows: t
On the evening of October "a, 1851, a
number of men were sitting around the
table after supper, willing away the time
spinning yarns, cracking jokes, and sing
ing songs.
"When was it that fruit first swore?'
suddenly interrupted Major Dibble, who
had taken but slight part in the pro-
ceedings until now.
The listeners made one or two efforts
to guess the answer, and then gave it up
"When the apple damned the pear, of
course" explained the joker.
All laughed but Jim Lundy, between
whom and the Major there had never
been any love lost. He glanced at
the latter in an ugly way and Missed,
"It's no such thingr'
The color left Dibble's cheeks, and his
eyes blazed like two suns. It looked for
moment as though he was going to
tackle his insulter right there. Then by
a powerful effort he controlled himself,
and his face began to assume scarlet
hue.
"You must not contradict me in such
way" he said in q low, determined
tone. "You have done it too often al
ready" .......
Lundy gave expression to a contempt
uous sneer.
"You are a lying, thieving
-, and am bigger mark to shoot at
than you arep These words came from
the gambler with ring that showed he
wanted them to strike home.
Every well, sir" responded the out
ragged trooper; "we will try it on when
General Morehead comes over from Ne.
vada City.
Both men were crack shots and had
plenty Of moral courage. The pioneers
at the Bar knew there would be at least
one funeral in their midst before many
hours elapsed
Dibble and Mr.. Crafts slept togethe,
that night, and Lundy, taking his blan.
kets, camped out alone on a side-hill
The first named spent part Of the night
in writing letters to his friends in the
East He indited several lengthy epis.
ties, one being to the faithful and high
bred sweetheart who was anxiously
awaiting his return from the land of gold
and another to his aged father an6
| mother.
| The antagonists met at sunrise Major
General Morehead was Dibble's second
and Charley Morse was Lundy's
Fifteen PAGES was measured of, anG
the challenger and challenged took theil
| places.
Just as the god of day peeped over
plne-fringed hill to the east the prepare
tions were declared complete.
"Gentlemen, are you ready?"
Before the echo of the sentence hai
died away, and while Dibble was in tn,
act Of raising his weapon, there was
sharp report from the others pistol
A momentary look of Consideration
fitted over Dibble's handsome face
the word. You have nearly killed me, ;
he cried. Then, pressing one hand t.
his breast, he whirled around like MAJ
once or twice, and fell dead in his tracks
The bullet found its resting place in tn
young mans heart.
Lundy was indicted, tried, and foun,
guilty. The proceedings were shown t.
have been irregular, and he was grantet
q new trial. The matter dragged alon,
year or two, some of the witnesses dis
appeared from the country, and finally
;nOlle proseQui was entered il