Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1883-07-12
DUEL.


A Hostile Meeting Near Waynesboro. va,
Between Two BIoOdthirsty Richmond
EdisOrs-Afr. Bierne Shoots and Cripples
mr.. Elam In Strict Accordance With the
Rules o. the Dueling Code.
STANTON. Va, July2.
Bierne and Elan, the Richmond duelists,
met Saturday morning near New Hone. in
this county. AT the first exchange of shots
neither were touched. At the second shot.
Elan was struck in the upper part of the
thigh, and Bierne escaped unhurt. Bierne
then expressed himself as satisfied. and the
parties left the field in opposite directions.
Elan had been concealed not MANY miles
from the scene of the combat for several
days past He was at the residence of John
Lewis, son of 81. j. Lewis The arrange
ment for the meeting was matured in Rich
mond at the time when Elan was in this
vicinity and Biene in West Virginia. Some
point about midway between the two places
was fixed as the place. A change Of seconds
was made, and the cartel, as previously de-
termlned-namely, Colts skies, at eight
PAGES, was agreed upon.
No arrests have been made, nor does there
seem any disposition to institute legal in-
veStlgation. Elan was removed to the res
1dence Of j. f. Lewis, and his wife sent for.
When the combatants took position, sew
eraI gentlemen present, but not Immediately
connected with the affair were asked to re-
tire. They did so, and the physician then
gave the word: g Gentlemen, are you ready?
Firei One, two, threep' The shots were to
be exchanged after the word sc fire - and
before the word g three" At the word
some, both pistols were discharged in quick
succession, but without effect. The same
cd Io%IN
being almost simultaneous, and just at the
word "one." AS Elan staggered I'M
der the effect of wound, his second
ran forward and assisted him to cushions
which lay on the ground, The wounded
man was under the impression that the ball
had penetrated both legs, and insisted that
such was the case. When assured by the
surgeon that it had not even gone through
one leg, and that the intense pain in the
other was caused from sympathy, Elan ex-
pressed regret THAT he had not demanded
another shot. He was perfectly cool and
collected, and gave directions in a strong,
composed voice. Bierne also acted with
elaboration, and, although pale, seemed
perfectly cool. He was taken away by his
second after he discovered that Elan could
not again stand.
Elan was placed in an ambulance and
started for the residence of Lieutenant
tant. 1t was doubtful what effect the ride
would have, and in case the wounded man
was not able to stand it preparations were
made for his entertainment at the house of
some of his prominent friends along the
way. The wound was evidently very Seri-
| GUS one. After the ball struck, Elan gave
one or two steps forward, and from that
| it was thought that the leg had not been
| broken. The surgeon, however, stated that
a TUnnI1
| length Of time.
Elan has been removed to Governor John
| F. Lewis residence. The Post Republic,
| of Rockingham County, says it is currently
stated that Bierne has been challenged by a
leading Readjuster to fight again at an early
day.
This is the third duel Elan has fought,
and the second one in which he was wound
ed. During the civil war he fought with
felloW-confederate soldier, but escaped
| unhart. In 1880 he fought a duel near
| Richmond with Colonel Tom Smith, son Of
| Ex-Governor Smith, Of this State, and was
wounded in the chin.
AS will be remembered, the duel grew out
| of editorials in The Wing and The State
| which reflected upon the editors who met on
| the field to-day. Strange as it may appear,
those gentlemen were unacquainted, and
| until they faced each others weapons had
| never met before. Some idea of their de-
termination to resent the offensive editorials
can be gathered when it is known that both
travelled in private conveyances over $50
miles to fight. Their journey was necss-
sarily made under the most disadvanta-
| geOuS circumstances. AS the whole State
was aroused, they had to cOnine themselves
to the by-roads and travel mostly by night,
sometimes sleeping out, fearing to apply for
lodgings on the road, fording swollen noun
tain streams and crossing mountains. 1t
would not do, however, for either to return
to Richmond without fighting, and no diff
culties were permitted to interfere with
| them.