The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-05-17


Hill to lis remotest precincts from itspros
priety. has been hanging over ne UnioH
Club. About six months ago, Nr. +.
Loubat, a member of the Union Club. well
known as yachtsman and as the author
of an interesting work in two colossal vol
umes on the Medallic History of the United
States, in the presence of several other
members of the club-Mr. Willing, to wit,
Mr. E. Kimbail and Mr.. Henry Turnbull
casually made some very dfsparaging re-
marks about lady of high character,
well known in the society of New
York, none of whose relatives or
particular acquaintance were at the
moment present. Mr.. Henry Turn
bull considering such illusions to such
a lady an offense not to her alone but to
the club and to the gentlemen present,
promptly resented them in very strong
language According to one account he
said to Mr.. Loubaf instantly, THAT is the
most bIackguard remark and the most un-
gentiemanly speech that have ever heard
gentleman Make Mr. Loubat, it is
averred, upon being thus addressed
shrugged his shoulders and quickly walked
away. The matter was talked over freely
in the club for day or two, at the end of
which time Mr.. Loubat left New York, in
pursuance, his friends aver, of a previously
formed plan, for California While there
it is said that Mr.. Loubat found himself
pursued with highly colored and exaggera-
ted reports of the incident. which. as he
was informed, were freely circulated
throughout New York to his detriment
and disrepute. After getting through with
the business which took him to California
Mr. Loubat this week returned to this city,
and upon his return, it is said, wrote let
ter to Mr. Henry Turnbull, denouncing
him as a slanderer, and asserting that he
had maliciously and wilfully circu-
lated false statement about Mr.
Loubat. To this letter Mr.. Turnbull it is
said declined to make any reply, but after
consulting two friends prepared circular
to the members of the Union Club, embod.
wing Mr.. Loubat's letter to him, and with
it the statements as to the original affair
of Mr.. Arthur Willing and Mr.. Klmbalf.
These two statements arc not absolutely
identical as to the details of the incident
Mr.. Willing in his statement says that Mr..
Henry Turnbull observed: THAT is the
most blackguard remark and the most UNI
gentlemanly speech | ever heard a gentle
man make" Mr. Kimba!l gives this as the
language used by Mr.. Turnball: you are
a dirty, low BLACKBOARD, and are not fit to
be member of any decent club or to be
admitted into any gentleman's house"
Every member of the Union Club has re
ceived a copy of Mr.. Turnbull's circular,
of which 1000 copies were issued.
Naturally the affair has caused great ex-
citement among the members of the Union
Club. The vital question seems to be as
to the action proper to be taken by Mr..
Loubat. Concerning this, sundry mem
bers of the club were consulted. One gen.
tleman, esteemed an authority on the rules
of private belligerence, holds that if Mr.
Vikings version of Mr. Turnbulls remark
be correct, tina remark, though not con-
ciliatory or complimentary, cannot be con-
sidered as a challengeable offense, MFR. |
Loubat having been charged, not with be- |
ing a blackguard, but with having made a |
BLACKBOARD remark unworthy of gentle
nan, which seems to be a fine and delicate |
distinction. If, on the contrary, Mr.. Turn
bulls version be correct, the same author
ty holds that Mr.. Louoat is bound TO slap
Mr.. Turnbull's face, by the motion to that |
effect of glove. The circular bears date
1t the Union Club, May II. and
s addressed to the members of the Union
Club. 1t recites the whole controversy
between Mr. Turnbull and Mr.. Loubat,
Hr. Turnball affirming that Mr.. Leubat
lad used such foul and offensive language
sbout a lady that it was Mr.. Turnbulls
luty as a gentleman to resent it. Not
ew members of the club, in conversation 7
4rgued that though it was a penitentiaryI
,ffense in New York to send q challenge,
here were occasions on which challenged
must be sent. IF two gentlemen agreed to
light, they said, some way could be found
o evade the law by sending the challenge
md fighting the duel beyond the state linn
is. Another difficulty, however, arises.
Though Mr.. Loubat is said by his friends
o be eager for fight, high authorities
consider it an open question worthy to be
discussed by the club whether, after SO
ong time has elapsed since the offense
vas given, Mr.. Turnbull can be required
T even permitted. under the ttcode" to
i've Mr.. Loubat satisfaction. /,
But the six months were not enough to
aim Mr.. Loubat's anger and the two
ouths are at this time in some Maryland
wamp trying to get a shot at one another
ne worst danger they are exposing them
elves to is the rheumatism.