San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1882-04-13
TWO OLD DUELS.
A RsmInIsesnee OF the Washington Hotel. R,...,-
Demolished.

wears ago in New York by the late ST.
phen Price, well known in England :.
a former lessee OF Drury Lane Theatsr
BENJAMIN Price was considered thu
handsomest of his family, though his
brother Stephen was not 10 be des'
pissed, either rs regards good looks q,
abilities. Benjamin ore evening had
escorted very pretty woman to the
Park Theater, when during the per.
formance British officer in An adj.
Joining box took the liberty TO stare
her full in the face. She Complained
of it to Ben Price, who, on its repeti.
ton, seized the offender ny tie nose
with "his finger and thumb, and wruns
il mo.S eiiectually." The officer LEFT
his box and went to Ben Prices. Ben.
in answer to knock, opened the door
wnen the officer wnose name was Green.
asked Ben what he meant, remarkinp nj
the same time that he meant no insult
to tie lady. "Oh, very well" said Ben,
neither cd I mean to insult you by
what did" Upon this they shook hands
as sworn brothers, and some time after
Mr.. Green went to Canada to Join the
regiment. The facts of the affair, how.
ever, had reached Canada before Mr.
Green did, and OF course got noised
about. An officer Of his regiment hav.
ing pique against him was particularly
active in airing the scandal, and
brought the mater so strongly before
his brother officers that one of them
Capt. Wilson, insisted upon Green be-
ing ostracized unless he wepS back to
New York Immediately and challenged
Price. Green however, being no shot,
he was allowed to get up his pistol
practice to favorable standard, and
having practiced for five hours daily,
until he could hit dollar at ten PAGES,
nine times orr of ten, he came to New
York and challenged Ben Price. They
fought at Hoboken, Price being killed
at first fire. The seconds Immediately
decamped, while Green, who had OBJ
tanned leave to go to England on urgent
private affairs, took small boat, crossed
the river, and got on board vessel
in the bav ready to sail for the old
country. Prices body was found where
he had fallen, with piece of paper at
tached to his breast, on which was writ
ten the following words:
.aThis is Benjamin Price, boarding
in Vesey street New York; take care Of
him."
The body was brought to the city
quietly, and he was buried in New
York.
The death of Ben Price was, however,
but one-half of the tragic transac-
ton that resulted from the pulling of
Mr.. Green's nose. Some years later
Capt. Wilson, who has been already re-
ferred to, arrived in New York from
England on his way to Canada, and put
up at the Washington Hotel. There, one
day at dinner, the conversation turned
on the death of Ben Price and the man
ner thereof, when Capt. Wilson who
had Joined the conversation, took cred
it for having been mainly instrumental
in bringing about the duel, detailing
all the particulars Herewith. This
statement was carried Immediately to
Stephen Price, who was lying i'll with
the govt at home. His friends said
that he at once implicitly obeyed the
instructions Of the physician, and, OBJ
tanning thereby short cessation OF the
govt, was enabled to hobble out of doors,
his lower extremities being swathed in
flannel. His first course was to seek
the Washington Hotel, where his in
quiry was:
"Is Capt. Wilson within ?"
"He is" said the waiter.
"Show me up to his room," said Ste
phen, and up he was shown accord
ingly.
Hobbling up stairs with much diff
Guilty, cursing alternately as he went
the govt which caused the pain and the
Captain who was the cause of his hay
ing to hobble with equal vehemence, he
at last reached Capt. Wilson's room,
his feet cased in moccasins and his
hand grasping a stick. Capt. Wilson
rose to receive him, wondering all the
time who his lame visitor could be, but
his mind on that point was soon re-
heved.
"Are you Capt. Wilson," said the
stranger.
THAT is my name," replied the Cap
tain.
"Then, sir, my name is Stephen
Price. You see, sir, can scarcely put
one foot before the other; [ am afflicted
with the govt. My object in coming
here is to insult you. Shall have to
knock you down, or will you consider
what 1 have said a sufficient insult and
act accordingly"
mo SIR" replied the Captain, smll-
ing; 81 shall consider what you have
said quite sufficient, and shall act ac-
cordingly, You shall hear from me.
In due time there came q message
from Capt. Wilson to Stephen Price;
time, place and weapons were arranged
and early one morning boat LETT New
York in which were seated face to lace
Stenhan Price the Cantain and two