Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-01-22
4 lLutbY nuEL,
Contest Of M~arksmanuhip Between
Two Brooklyn Darkies.
Shosguns theweapons and Their
Own bodies the Targets.
ST. vi, Republican

EtLo uit Republican.
A very singular as we'll as an ex.
eeedinglS sanguirary battle with shot
gpna, WAS fought in the n1age Of
HtQpklyna couple Of niles aboSb East
So Louis esterdt Afternoon 81 which
the two principals we're pretty badly
peppered with shot. Yesterday morn
ing Bill Molack and Mike Vanderbsrg,
both colored, went out together en- a
hunting expedition. Each had q shot
gun, and had great expectations that
be would return in the evening loaded
down with game. They travelled
until they had explored all the rabbit
grounds between Brooklyn and the
bluffs and only caught sight Of a couple
of the hoppers, end these they failed
{ shoot or capture. Detected with
their unusual bad luck they started
home, arriving ut Brooklyn about 4
o'clock, and as they brought no game
they were considerably jeered BY the
denizens Of the burg They went
into a saloon, imbibed at the bar, re
lated an account of their trip, advanced
numerous reasons as their poor luck
Some OF their friends, however, main
tanned that their failure to bring back
rabbits was attributed to the fact that
they were not marksmen. This rather
~dlspleaSed MOlack and Vanderbere,
WIN held that they could shoot as
good, it not better than any other two
negroes in Brooklyn. This brought
on a discussion of the shooting merits
Of various Brooklynites, and finally
the subject Of
DUEL1NG
was reached, aud the duels of the
past on Bloody Island we're thorough.
~ discussed. At last a dispute.
friendly in every way, arose., as to
which, Molack or Vanderberg, was the
better shot. Each claimed that he
was, and at last it was agreed that a
tes; be made to settle the matter. 1t
was determined that the two men
should, each with his shot gun, repair
to an open field covered with snow and
fight a duel. The conditions were
that each should stand with his back
to the o;her, and upon a signal from
another negro, each should walk
twenty steps from where they stood
aud wheel around and shoot at the
other. The two men took their DO.
,%itions, back to back, with their shot
guns in readiness. The signal was
given and the two men walked away
from each other, counting their steps
as they went. Vanderberg either
took short steps or did not take the
agreed number, for he reached the
place where he was to wheel before
MOlsek did, and when Molack wheeled
about Vanderberg had his gun aimed
at Molsck, and immediately fired
The charge took effect, for Molack
dropped his gun and put his hand Il
his face. Vanderberg, seeing what he
had done, Immediately started on .
run. This nerved up Molack, who
picked up his gun and started in pur.
suit Of Vanderberg. The latter seeinG
that he was being overtaken. stopped
and turning towards Molack begged
him not to shoot. But Molack replied
you cant fool dis child like dat
must have my shot," and he dis
charged his shotgun at Vanderberg
The latter dropped his gun, threw Vi
his arms, and shouted,
TN KILLED, sUREI"
And presently he fell upon the snow
This produced great CONSERVATION
among the crowd present, who begaI
to comprehend that maybe a Grim,
had been committed, aud they beQal
TO look to the proper care of Wander
berg, who was badly injured. He wa
carried to the nearest saloon, aud DR.
Gracen, Of Venice, sent for, who a
once came. 1t was found upon exam
i%natiOn by the doctor that Vanderber
had received one shot in the left eve
enc &c :sss i5Teh5sdi, iour in the lei
jaw and one IN the left arm. Molacl
got n shot in the right cheek, one il
the left wrist and numerous mes il
the breast, though none of his wound
we're considered serious, and he wa
ab o to walk to his abode after IN
doctor had dressed his wounds. Van
deTberg had lost considerable bloc
and was also SO weak that he had I
be carried home alter the doctor 20
through with him. TIE shot in til
eye is the worst one, and he will Ger
tainly lose his sight. The snow wher
the conflict took place was all spotteI
with blood and looked as though a bat
tie had taken place. OF course tn
result Of the duel created great excite
ment among the colored people 0
Brooklyn, and will long remain til
theme OIL comment. Both Of the duel
lists are yet good friends, and no ar
rests bad been made up to last night
1t is probably one Of the stranees
duels that ever took place, aud haI
the principals been closer together
one or the other or both might hayl
been killed.