The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1880-02-19
FIaHTrNa ovER A Lov R.
sanEaInAry Dusl Between TwO sIrIs In vIrGInI

oanBaneIy Duoi DobHoeh AVN UHM IN VHhi"ias
onSncock, Va, Feb. IA s&nguinary duel
Was fought here between two women last satur
day, which resulted in the probable fatal wound.
ing Of both. Miss Louise Wise and Miss Mar.
garet Downing had for some time excited much
comment in the little village because Of their
jealous quarrels over the attentions Of young
man named Benjamin Young. On one or two
occasions they had come to blows In his presence
and were only restrained from seriously injuring
each other by the efforts Of Young. This young
man seems 70 have been in doubt az 10 which Of
the mAidenG possessed hts heart and realizing
the force Of the axiom
How happy could be with either
Were t'other dear charmer away,
temporized with them and had little difficulty In
convincing each that she was the object of his
admiration. At length on Friday evening he
went to party with Miss Wise, and while dane.
ing with her the assemblage was thrown into in.
tense excitement by the sudden appearance Of
Miss Downing, who in tragic manner, stslked
up to the couple and forbid her lover to dance
with her rival. AS she stood facing the couple
with her eyes inAamed with passion, It Wss
thought that violeno would be the next act in
the drama, Suddenly, however with piercing
shrek she sank to the Aoor in a swoon, frothing
at the mouth as though suffering from an epilep
tic It, She was removed by her friends and
Young and Miss Wise withdrew
The following day Miss Wise received note
from Miss Downing, requesting her to call upon
her, as she wished 10 see her about an important
matter. Miss Wise went to 1er rivals house. as
requested. She entered the yard, walked around
TO the kitchen entrance, pushed open the door,
and stepping inside, saw her rival seated by the
stove, with her head resting moodily upon her
hand. When Miss Downing caught sight of Miss
Wise, she spraDg to her feet, and, seizng a stout
club, rushed at her, shrieking with rage Miss
Wise ran into the yard and, seeing the other fol,
lowing, she picked up a pitchfork, and facing
her enraged rival, warn ed her to stand off Miss
Downing exclaimed
"All right, we will fight now. You have
weapon, so have l."
Both being strong, healthy country girls, they
found no difficulty In welding their Weapons
AS Miss Downing rushed at the other, she was
met by the three tined fork, which was driven
into her breast. The next instant she struck
Miss Wise stunning blow on the head which
staggered her, and followed 1t up by second
blow which telled her to the ground Miss Wise
soon regained her feet and, assuming the ofFen-
Sive impa'ed Miss Downing's hands on the
prongs Of the fork. Again she received blow
on the head from the club which felled her to
the ground. While in this position she thrust the
pitchfork into Miss Downing's face making
three terrible wounds. By this time both were
weakened by loss Of blood. and dropped To the
ground inBennible. In this position they were
found by Some neighboB, who gave the alarm.
DR.. Drummond was summoned, and was soon in
attendance. Both girls were terribly injured,
Miss Downing having been wounded IA times by
the pitchfork, and Miss West sAocklngly bruised
and beaten about the head. They are now suffer
ing from a high fever, and the physician has lit.
tie hope Of their recovery, In lucid intervals
they gave the particulars Of the fight, and at the
same time each begged piteously to see Mr..
Young. The latter evidently not relishing the
Botoriety into which he was brought by the
strange inistuation Of the two girls has left the
town and no trace Of him can be discovered. The
affair has caused the most intense excitement
here and the usually quiet little town has been
In turmoil since the particulars Of the fight
were made publicly Y. Sun.