Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1882-06-08
A Duel by Editors.

NEW ORLEANS, June IA uuel was
fought this morning at the slaughter
house, between Maj. E. A. Burke, of
the es-Democrat, and G. Il.
Parker, editor of the Picayune.
Pistols were used, and five shots ex~
changed. At the fifth shot Burke
was shot through both thighs,
though no bones were broken, and
the VIC olnj is not considered danger
Gus.
Major Burke, feeling aggrieved at
certain editorial articles which re-
Gently appeared in Picaypne, on Fri
day sent peremptory challenge to
Mr.. Parker, editor of the Picayune,
to fight him duel. Mr.. Parker ac.
cepted, and his representatives,
George L. Hall and Jas. A. Rens
shaw, named Mississippi rifles as the
weapons. Burke had the choice of
distance, and Jas. ID. Houston and
Maj. John A. Augustine, his sec
onds, fixed it at q PAGES.
Though no reasons were given by
Burke's friend for naming so short a
distance, it is generally understood
that they did so because of the re>
ported expertness of Parker with
the weapon selected. The weapon
not being satisfactory, after confer,
ence, regular duelling pistols were
finally agreed upon as the weapons
and the distance twenty PAGES, the
ground selected being in st. Bernard
Parish, near the slaughter-house.
Major Burke and his friends arr
rived first, and were soon
joined by Parker and his friends.
Burke's second won the toss
for position, and Hall was selected
to give the word. Everything being
in readiness the principals took the
positions assigned them, and at the
word the weapons were discharged
almost simultaneously, neither of
the gentlemen being hurt. An effort
was made by the seconds to adjust
the difficulty, but Burkes friends
held that their principal had been
wronged, and asked if the wrong
world be righted. Parker's friends
admitted that Burke was man of
courage, and they thought that was
sufficient. Burke's friends claimed
that the Pleasure had criticised him
too freely, and that such criticisms
were outside the pale of journalism.
Parker's friends stated that he had q
right to criticise any public official,
and still reserved that right.
As no compromise could be
effected the principals took their
positions for a second shot, which.
like the first, was without result.
Unsuccessful efforts similar to
those after the first round followed
the second round.
After the third round a long par
ley ensued. Burke's friends de-
manded that Parker should
acknowledge the bravery and
personal and official in,
-tegrity of Burke, which
his friends claimed that Parker had
impugned In series of articles in the
Picayune and as Parker's friends
declined to make satisfactory dis
claimer no further effort at compro-
mise was made and the 4th and 5th
rounds followed. At the fifth fire
Major Burke was shot through both
legs, about s inches above the knee,
and would have fallen, but was
caught by his seconds. When Par
kers' seconds discovered that
Burke had been wounded they asked
permission for their party to retire
from the ground. This request was
granted by the seconds of The other
side. The parties then Separated,
Burke being conveyed to his resi-
dence on Camp street, and Parker
repairing to the Picayune Office.
Those who witnessed the duel agree
in stating that the principals acted
with remarkable courage and cool
ness, and that the affair was conduct
ed according to the rules prescribed
by the code.
Drs Scott and Leober, the ply
sicians in attendance, at once dress
ed Major Burke's wounds and not
consider them dangerous. This even
ing he is resting quietly and his ply
sicians say they have no reason to
apprehend serious trouble.
The duel was the subject of gen
eral conversation throughout the
city to-day, but this evenings Plea
| yune makes no mention of the
| affair.