St. Landry democrat., 1883-07-14
A DUEL.

Between Two Bloodthirsty Richmond
Editors-Mr. Bierne Shoots and Cripples
MIR. Elan in Strict Accordance With the
Rules of the Dueling Code.
ETAUNroN. Va, July2.
Bierne and Elam, The Richmond duelists,
met Saturday morning near New Hope, i'll
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. Biene
then expressed himself as satisfied, and the
parties left the field ia opposite directions
Elam had been concealed not many miles
from the scene of tile combat for several
days past. He was at the residence of John
Lewis, son of II. j. Lewis. The arrange
ment for the meeting5was matured in Rich
mond at the time when Elan was in this
vicinity and Bierne INVEST 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-
termined-namely, Colts skies, at eight
PAGES, was agreed uI5pn.
No arrests have been made, nor does there
seem any disposition to institute legal in
vestigation. 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 ;ffair were asked to re-
tire. They did so, and the physician then
gave the word: " Gentlemen, are you ready?
Fire! One, two, three"' The shots were to
be exchanged after the word g fire" and
before the word 6 three" At the word
s one" both pistols were discharged in quick
succession, but without effect. The same
programme was then repeated, both reports
being almost simultaneous, and just at the
word one" 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 i'll the
other was caused from sympathy, EIam ex-
pressed regret THAT he had not demanded
another shot. He was perfectly cool and
collected, and gave directions in q 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 Elam could
not again stand.
Elam was placed In an ambulance and
started for the residence of Lieutenant
Governor Lewis, fifteen or twenty miles dis
tant. Itwas doubtful what effect the ride
would have, and in case the wounded man
was not able to stand it preparations We're
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, Elan gave
Or fxxn CT rA nd frnn ftsaf
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.
Elam has been renewed 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 light again at all early
day.
This is the third duel Elam has fought,
and the second one in which he was wound
ed. During the civil war he fought with
a felloW-confederate soldier, but escaped
unhart. In 1880 he: fought 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 Whig and The State
WHICH EclltCtGu upon ttle cultOIo VIII mtt Ou
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 disadyanta-
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 moun-
tain streams and crossing mountains. It
would not do, however, for either to return
to Richmond without lighting, and no diff
culties were permitted to interfere with
them.