Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1882-11-09
SINGULAR DUEL.

Two kYou1ke Farmers of North CaroIins
fsFfSht ms+Thxee Hours. with Horse
81 yxlsfos dWeapons Both Combatanes
U Hoffba Gashed.
"a al oqiS, cruel and novel duel was fougnt
his 5hor7Sing in,fhe lower edge OF Guilforo De-
Stween Ralph Johnston and Saks Williams, TWO
young farmers of that section and rivals 1or
the affection of a. young lady. Bad feenngs
had existed between them for some tlme,
ending in harsh words day before yesterday.
Soon after Johnston send friend to win
Jams with a letter demanding retracffon or
certain language used. The latter dechneo 70
withdraw his remarks, and further CORES
pondence resulted in an agreement TO meet
in hostile combat. the time being hxed 1or
this morning. The articles drawn up specr
fed as the weapons horsewhips-somethlng |
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 dueilne
law, which does not specify as deadly weapons
horsew hips. Under the rules of the fight each
man was required to stand up on a line traced
upon the ground making the distance be-
tween the combatants about three feet. They
were armed with heavy horsewhips especially
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 Inc
cOmbatantS met this morning accOTuiHE 10
agreement The field selected was hard
and level spot about half mile from
the main road. The lines were made up or
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:
sGentlemen, are you readyT Each man nod
ded his head. The command :: Strike! was
then given and the duelsts fell to blows with
vigor Although the blows given were heavy
and fast, neither man f1inched. Upon the
hands and faces of the combatantS great Welts
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 Oy the des.
perate assault of his adversary to fall
back from his line. After fighting half an
breathless. were given brief resting time. me
fight continued for three hours with snort IN
tervals for rest. The seconds finally decided
the requirements of the code had been COM
piled with, and forced the complaints to de-
sst 1t is understood that Johnston was more
severely hurt than his adversary, ana that
there is not place on his body that is not COW
cred with weltS, many of which have gashed
the flesh in a horr BILE manner. Williams Is
almost in the same condition, and both 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 matter.-Gre,nstoTo
IN. c. Spec all to Chicago Tribune, Oct. 81