The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1883-07-12
A DUEL.

A Hostile Meeting Near Waynesboro, va.s
Between Two BIoodthIrsty Richmond
Editors-BIr. Bierne Shoots and Cripples
Mr.. Elam In Strict Accordance With the
Rules of the DueIlng Code.
STAUNroN, Va. July g.
Bierne and Elam, the Richmond duelists,
met Saturday morning near New Hope, in
this county. At the first exchange of shots
neither were touched. At the second snot,
Elan was struck in the upper part of the
thigh, and Biene escaped mhurt. Bierne
then expressed himself as satisfied, and the
parties left the field in opposite directions.
Elam 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 H. j. Lewis. The arrange
ment for the meeting was matured in Rich
mond 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 change Of seconds
was made, anf the cartel, as previously de
teTmined-namely, Colts skies, at eight
PAGES, was agreed upon.
No arrests have been made, nor does there
seem any disposition to institute legal in
Yestigation. Elam 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-
tire. They did so, and the physician then
gave the word: Gentlemen, are you ready?
Fire! One, two, threeP' The shots were to
be exchanged after the word g fire and
before the word g three" At the word
"o 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 lone" As Elan 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 Lad 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
delberation, 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 very seri-
ous 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
| the muscle would have sustained him thai
length of time.
Elan has been removed to Governor JohT
| F. Lewis residence. The Post Republic
| of Rockingham County, says it is currently
| stated that Bierne has been challenged by {
leading Readjuster to fight again at an 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 witt
| a fellow-coRfederate soldier, but escaped
unhart. In 1880 he fought a duel neal
| Richmond with Colonel Tom Smith, son o
Ex-Governor Smith, of this State, and was
wounded in the chin.
As will be remembered, the duel grew on
of editorials in The Whig and The Stat
which reflected upon the editors who met OF
the field to-day. Strange as it may appear
those gentlemen were unacquainted, ant
until they faced each others weapons ha'
never met before. Some idea of their de
termination to resent the offensive editorial
can be gathered when it is known that bot
travelled in private conveyanceS over 25
miles to fight. Their journey was necss
sariIy made under the most disadvanta
geous circumstances. As the whole Stat
was aroused, they had to confine themselve
to the by-rOads and travel mostly by night
sometimes sleeping out, fearing to apply TO
lodgings on the road fording swollen noun
tain streams and crossing mountains.
would not do, however, for either to retur
| to Piob,,opd without fiohfDp and no diff
culties were permitted to interfere wit
| them.