The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1882-06-14
BLOOD! BLOOD!
A Southern Editor Wounds a state Omcial
In Duel.

A Southern Editor Wounds a state Oficial
in a Duel.
New ORLEANS, June IA duel was fought
this morning at slaughter house between
Major E. A. Burke, of the Times-Democrat,
and C. H. Parker, editor of the Picayune.
Pistols were used aud five shots exchanged
At the fifth shot Burke was shot through
the thigh. The wound is not considered
dangerous. The trouble grew out of an
article in the Picayune of Jure 2, under
caption, How About the Condition of the
General Fund%' to which Major Burke, who
is State Treasurer, took exceptions. Friday
last he sent a. peremptory challenge to
Parker to fight duel. Parker accepted,
ard his representatives, George a.. Hall and
James X. Renshaw, named Mississippi rifles
as weapons. Burke had choice of distance,
and James ID. Houston and Major John
Augustin, his seconds, fixedit twoand half
PAGES. Though no reasons were given by
Burkes friends for naming so short
distance, it is generally understood they did
SO because of the reputed expertpess of
Parker with the weapon, the distance named
not being satisfactory. After conference,
regular duelling pistols were agreed upon;
distance, twenty PAGES; ground selected. ST.
Bernard Parish, near slaughter house.
Major Burke and friends arrived first, and
were soon Joined by Parker and friends
Burkes seconds won the toss for position,
and Hall was selected to give the word.
Everything in readiness the principals took
their position, and at the word the weapons
were discharged almost simultaneously.
Neither man was hurt. Efforts were
made to adjust the difficulty, but
Burke's friends held their principal
had been wronged, and asked if the,
l. n
admitted Burke was man of courage, and
thought that was sufficient Bnrke's fnenos
claimed the Picayune had criticised him
too freely, that criticisms were outside of
the pale Of journalism. Parker's friends
stated he had a right to criticise any
public officer, and still reserved that right
as no compromise could be effected, the
principals took their positions for the Sec
ond shot, which, like the first, was ineffect-
i've. Unsuccessful attempts to arrange the
difficulty followed Then came the third
shot, barren of result as the first and second
long parley then took place, Burke's
friends demanding Parker should acknowl
edge bravery and personal and official in
tegrity to Burke, which his friends claimed
Parker had inpugned in series of articles
in the picsyune. Parker's friends could not
make satisfactory disclaimer, and further
efforts at compromise stopped. The fourth
fifth fire Major Burke was shot through
both legs about three inches below the knee
and would have fallen but was caught by
his seconds. When Parker's second dlscoy-
cred that Burke was wounded, they asked
permission for their party to retire from the
ground. The request was granted by the
seconds on the other side. The parties then
separated, and Burke was conveyed to his
residence on Camp street, Parker going to
the Picayune Office. Those who witnessed
the duel agree in stating the principals
acted with remarkable courage and coolness
and that the affair was conducted according
to the code. Drs. Scott aud Loeber physi-
clans in attendance, at once dressed Burke's
wounds. This evening he is resting quietly,
and his physicians say that they haveno rea-
son to apprehend serious trouble. The duel
was the subject of general conversation
throughout the city to day, but the Even
ing Picayune makes no mention of the
affair.