The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1882-11-04
A SINGULAR DUEL.


Two Young Farmers of North Carolina.
right for Three Hours, with Horse
whips as Weapons - Both Combatants.
Horribly Gashed.
bloody. cruel ana novel duct was fought
this morning IN the lower edge of Guilford be
tween Ralph johnston and Saks Williams. two.
young farmers of that section. and rivals for
The affection OF young lady. Bad feelings
had cxisto between them for some time,
ending in harsh words day before Yesterday.
soon after Johnston send friend to Will
Jams with letter demanding rctraction of
certain language used Tho latter de lined 10
withdraw h 6 remarks, aud further cores
pondcnee resulted in an ugr 'emcnt to meet
in hostile combat. the time berg fixed for
this morun g. he articles drawn up spcci-
fed Is the weapons horSewhl ps-somethlng
not her tof1rc rcctg lied 10y the code In y, nth
Carolina. These weapons were chosen. it Is
understood, in ord that the pa ties could
thereby cvHde the penalties of the dueling
law, which does not specify as deadly weapons.
horsewhips. Under the rules of the fight, each
man was required TO stand up on Il line traced
upon the ground, making the distance be-
tween the combatants about three feet. They
were armed with heavy horsewhips cspec ally
selected for the ight, and the second of each
d Icl'st WIS supplied with an extra whip to
be used by his principal in the event of tho
wearing out or breaking of the weapon. The
cumbatants met this mUrning according to,
agreement Tie field selected was Il hard
and level spot about half a mile from
the main road. The lines were made up of
rope fastened to the ground with long staples.
After II vain attempt h I'd been made by the
seconds TO adjust the difficulty the men took
places for the fight. Both were in their shirt
sleeves, the provisions of the fight being that
no coat, vest or undershirt should be worm.
At seven O'Clock the question was asked:
"Gentlemen, are you ready Each man nod
ded his head. The command Strike! was
then given and the duelists fen to blows with
vigor. Although the blows given were heavy
and fast, neither man hinched. Upon the.
hands and iuc IS of the combatants great welts
soon rose and the shirts of the men soon gave
evidence that blood was being drawn. At
times they welded their weap ms with one
and then with both hands, and occasionally
perate assault of his adversary to fail
back from his line. After fighting bali an
hour time was called AM the men, nearly
breathless, were given brief resting time. The
tervals for rest. The seconds finally decided
the requirements of the code had been COM
piled with. and forced the combatants to de-
sist. 1t is understood that Johnston was more
severely hurt than his adversary. and that
there is not place on his body that is not COW
cred with wells, many of which have gashcd
the flesh in Il horr bic manner. Williams is
almost i'll the same condition, and 9th men
are suffering terribly from the effects of their
wounds, which are such that they can scarcely
lie down, their feet being almost the only parts
not covered with whip cuts No arrests have
been made, and the friends of the duelists are
endeavOring to hush the misunderstanding
(N. ca SPECIAL to Chicago Tribune, Oct. -