The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1882-03-08
Two Old Duels.
IUnised Service Magazine. ]

United Service Magazine
singular and fatal duel was fought SOME
years ago in New York by the late Stephen
Price, well-known in England as a former
lessee OF Drury Lane Theater. Benjamin
Price was considered the handsomest of his
family, though his brother Stephen was not
10 be despised. either as regards good looks
or abilities Benjamin one evening had es-
corted very pretty woman to the Park
Fheater, when during the performance
British officer in an adjoining box took the
liberty Of staring her full in the face. She
complained to Ben Price, who, on its repe-
tition. seized the offender by the nose with
Ibis finger and thumb, and wrung it most
effectually." The officer left his box and
went 10 Ben Prices. Ben in answer
to a knock opened the door, when the
officer, whose name was Green, asked
Ben what he meant remarking at the same
time that he meant no insult to the lady.
'Ohl very we'll" replied Ben, neither did
| mean to insult you by what did" Upon
this they shook hands as sworn brothers
and some time after Mr.. Green went TO Can
ada to join his regiment The facts of the
affair, however, had reached Canada before
Nj. Green did, and OF course got noised
about An officer of his regiment having
a piQue against him was particularly active
in airing the scandal and brought the mat
ter so strongly before his brother officers
that one of them. Captain Wilson, in
sisted upon Green being ostracised unless
he went back to New York Immediately and
challenged Price. Green, however, being
no shot. he was allowed time to get up his
pistol practice to favorable standard, and
having practiced Tor five hours daily, until
ne could hit dollar at ten PAGES nine times
out of ten, then he came to New York and
challenged Ben Price. They fought at Ho-
boken, Price being killed at first fire. The
10 Holxr ,NnI IL
Green, who had obtained leave to go 10
England on urgent private affairs, took a
small boat, crossed the river and got on
board vessel in the bay ready to sail for
the old country. Prices body was found
where he had fallen, with a piece of paper
attached to the breast, on which were writ
zen the following words This is Benja-
min Price, boarding IN Vesey street, New
York; take care of him." The body was
brought to the city quietly, and he was
buried in New York
The death OF Ben Price was however but
one-half Of the tragic transaction that re-
suited from the pulling of Mr. Green's nose
Some years later Captain Wilson, who has
been already referred to- arrived in New
York from England on his way to Canada,
and put up at the Washington Hotel. There
one day at dinner the conversation turned
on the death of Ben Price and the manner
thereof, when Captain Wilson, who had
| joined in the conversation, took credit for
having Oeen mainly instrumental in bring
ing about the duel, detailing all the partic-
ulars connected Herewith. This statement
was carried immediately to Stephen Price,
who was lying i'll of the govt at home. His
friends said that be at once implicitly
obeyed the instructions of the physician.
/ and, obtaining thereby a snort cessation OF
the govt, was enabled to hObble out OF doors.
his lower extremities being swathed in fan
mel. His first course was 10 seek the Wash
ington Hotel, where his inquiry was
lis Captain Wilson within?"
"He is, said the waiter
''Show me up to his ROOM" said Stephen.
| and up he was shown accordingly.
HObbling up stairs with much difficulty,
| cursing alternately as he went the govt
which caused the pain and the Captain who
was the cause of his having To hObble with
equal vehemence, he at last reached Captain
Wilson's room, his feet cased in moccasins
and mis- hand grasping stick. Captain vii
son rose to receive him, wondering all the
time who his lame visitor could be, but hi:
mind on that point was soon relieved.
Are you Captain Wilson, said the
stranger
That is my name" replied the Captain
Then, sir, my name is Stephen Price
| You see, sir l can scarcely put one foot be
fore the other: am afflicted with the govt
Shall have 10 knock you down, or will you
consider what / have said sufficient insult
and act accordingly?'
mo, sir" replied the Captain, smiling; 81
shall consider what you have said quite
sufficient, and shall act accordingly. You
shall hear from me-"
In due time there came message from
Captain Wilson TO Stephen Price; time
place and weapons were arranged; and early
one morning boat left New York in which
were seated face TO face Stephen Price, the
Captain aud two friends. They all landed
at Bedloe's Island, the principals took theil
positions, and Captain Wilson fell dead al
the first shot. The Captains body was in
TERED in the vault there, and Price and tbs
two seconds returned to New York. Captain
Wilson's friends in America thought he baC
departed suddenly To Canada, ana hi:
friends in England thought he had either
died suddenly or had been killed in q due
on his way to Join his regiment.