The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1883-07-13
THE CODE.

M OVDASe
4 Hostile Meeting Near Waynesboro, va,
Between Two Bloodthirsty Richmond
Edftors-dr. Bierne shoots and Cripples
Ar. Elap In Strict Accordance With the.
Ruies Of the Dueling Code.
SrAUSroN, Va, July 2
Bierne and Elan, the Richmond duelists.
met Saturday morning near New Hope, i'm
this county. At the first exchange Of Shots
reither were touched. At the second shot,,
Flam was struck in the upper part Of the
thigh, and Bierne escaped unhtlrt. Bierne,
then expressed himself as satisfied, and the
parties left the field in opposite directions
Elan had been concealed not many miles,
from tine scene Of the combat for several
days past. He was at the residence of John.
Lewis, son of II. j. Lewis. The arrange
ment for the meeting was matured in Rich
mohd at the time when Elan was in this
vicinity and Bierne In West Virginia. Some
point about midway between the two places
was fixed as the place. A changeof seconds.
was made, and the cartel, as previously de-
temined-namely, Colts skies, at eight.
PAGES, was agreed upon.
No arrests have been made, nor does there
seem any disposition to institute legal in
gestigation. Elan was removed to the res
idence of J. F. Lewis, and his wife sent for.
When the combatants took position, sew
eral gentlemen present, but not Immediately
connected with the affair were asked to re-
lire. They did so, and the physician then
gave the word: Gentlemen, are you ready?
Fire! One, two, threer' The shots were to-
be exchanged after the word :" fire" and
hufnra tho ord
tone" both pistols were discharged in quick.
succession, but without effect. The sans,
programme was then repeated, both reports
being almost simultaneous, and just at the
word zone" As Elam staggered un-
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
deliberation, 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
Governor Lewis, fifteen or twenty miles dis
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 a very Seri-
Gus one. After the ball struck, Elam gave
one or two steps forward, and from that
it was thought that the leg had not been
broken. The surgeon, however, stated that
! the muscle would have sustained him that
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 ard 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 ESQ
miles to fight. Their journey was nScss-
CARLY mazda npIor tho most htSaHyanfQ-
geous circumstances. AS the whole State
was aroused, they had to confine 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 It
would not do, however, for either to return
to Richmond without fighting, and no diff
culties were permitted to interfere with
them.