Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-06-08
PISTOLS FOR TWO.
NEW ORLEANS EDITORS ON THE
FIELD.
Mel Burke, of the "CImes-Demo-
cras,o Wounded By Mr.. Park =, Of
the "PicaYune''-Fiv Shots TX
chaDged-The Cause and Details of
Ihe Meeting.

NEW ORLEANS, June IA duel was
fought this morning at the Slaughter House,
between Major E A Burke, of the Times
Democrat, aud q. H Parker, editor of the
tGcaytsne. Pistols were used, and five shots
exchanged. At the fifth shot Burke was
shot through both thighs, though no bone
was broken, however, and the wound is not
considered dangerous.
Major Burke, feeling aggrieved at an
editorial IN the PcGyltne of June % on
'tThe General Fund" on FdidRy sent per-
emptory challenge to Mr. Patker, editor of
the Rcag7tne. to fight him duel. Parker
accepted, and his representatives,, George
l.. Hall and James A. RsnshaW, named
Mississippi rifles as weapons. Burke had
the choice OF distance, and Jas. d. Houston
and sjor John A Augustine, his seconds,
liked IL st Two and half pseas. Though
no reasons were given by Burke's
friends for naming so short distance, 1t is
generally understood that they did so be-
| cause OF the reputed expertness of Parker
| with the weapon selected. The weapon not
being satisfactory, after q conference, regu
| lar dueling pistols were finally agreed upon
as the weapons, and the distance twenty
PAGES, the ground selected being 10 st.
Bernard parish, near the Slaughter House
hoJ Dull NC dBu HIS 1TlcuUS dIIANEU
| and Were soon joined by Parker and his
| friends. Burke's seconds won the toss for
position, and Hall was selected to give the
word. Every hing being in readiness,
the principals took the positions
assigned to them, and at the
word their weapons were discharged
| almost simultaneously, neither of the gen.
tlemen being hurt. An effort was made by
their seconds to adjust the fflcultY. but
P1rIya1s Frfa dc bal = hat bo{r bod
been wrOnged. and asked If the wrong
would be righted Parker's friends ad-
| mitted that Burke was a man of
courage and they thought that was suffi-
cient. Burke's friends claimed that the
| PcGglnle had criticised him TOO freely, and
that i criticisms were outside the rules of
| journalism. Perker's friends stated that he
| had right to criticise any public official,
| and still reserved that right.
As no compromise could be effected the
| principals took their positions for a s. coRd
shot, which, like the first, was with0ui re-
suit. Unsuccessful forts similar to those
| after the first followed the second round.
| After the third round long parley ensued
Burke's friends demanded that Parker
should acknowledge the bravery and the
personal and ofIic al integrity of
! Burke, which his friends claimed Parker
\ had impugned IN a series of articles in the
Ptcdyune AS Parker's friends declined TO
m4ke a satisfactory disclaimer, no further
fl Irt of mpromise was made, and the
fourth and fifth rounds followed.
At the fitch fire Msj. Burke was shot
through both legs about eight inches above
the knee, and would have fallen, but he was
caught by his seconds. When Parker's Sec
onds discovered that Burke had been
wounded, they asked permission for their
party to retire from the ground. This re-
quest was granted by the seconds OF the
other side. The parties then separated,
Burke being conveyed to his residence on
Camp street, and Parker repairing to the
| Pcdylt11e office.
Those VINO witnessed the duel agreed in
stating that the principals acted with re-
markable courage aud GOODNESS, and that
the affair was conducted according to the
rules prescribed by the code. DR.. Scott and
| Loets, physicians in attendance, at
once dressed Major Burke's wounds, and do
not consider them dangerous. This evening
he is resting quietly, and his physicians
have no reason to apprehend serious trouble.
The duel was the subject of general couver
sation thr ughout the city to-day, but the
evening Pcayoole makes no mention Of the
| affair,