Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1882-11-03
A SINGULAR DUEL.
Two Young Farmers of North Carolina
Fight for Three Hours, with Horse
whips Weapons = Both Combatants
Horribly Gashed.

Two Young Farmers of North Carolina
Fight for Three Hours, with Horse
whips as Weapons = Both Combatants
Horribly Gashed.
A bloody, cruel and novel duel 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 a young lady. Dad feelings
had existed between them for some time.
ending in harsh words day before yesterday.
Soon after Johnston send a friend TO Will
Jams. with a letter demanding retraction of
certain language used. The latter declined to
withdraw his remarks, and further cores
pondence resulted in an agreement to meet
In hostile combat, the time being fixed for
this morning. The articles drawn up speci-
fed as the weapons horsewhps-somethng
not heretofore recog lized by the code In North
Carolina These weapons were chosen. 1t is
understood, in order that the parties could
thereby evade 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 line traced
upon the ground, making the distance be-
tween the combatants about three feet. They
were armed with heavy ynorscw61pscspcc.aiy
selected for the fight, and the second of each
duelist was supplied with an extra whip to
be used by his principal in the event of the
wearing out or breaking of the weapon. The
combatants met this morning according to
agreement. The field selected was a 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 a vain attempt had 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 worn.
At seven O'Clock the question was asked:
"Gentlemen. are you readyY' Each man nod
ded his head. The command Striker was
then given and tho duelists fell to blows with
vigor. Although the blows given were heavy
and fast. neither man fiinched. Upon the
hands and faces 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 weapons with one
and then with both hands. and occasionally
one or the other was forced by tho des
Perate assault of his adversary 10 faI
hack from his line. After fighting half Al
hour time was called, and the men, near
breathless, were given brief resting time. II
fight continued for three hours. with short
teryals for rest. The seconds finally decid
the requirements of the code had been co
piled with, and forced the combatants to-
sist II is understood that Johnston was mt
severely hurt than his adversary, and n
there is not place on his body that is not co
cred with wclts, many of which have gashed
the flesh in horr BILE manner. Williams Is
almost in the same condition, and 9th men
are suffering terribly from the effects of their
wounds, which are such that they can scars ely
lie down, their feet being almost the only is
not covered with whip cuts. No arrests b 20
been made, and the friends of the duelists are
20 hush the matter.-Greensbor0
w. c. Special 10 Chicago Tribune, Oct. Is.