Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1883-07-12


in d covered buggy, and had to exer-
else the same caution rs Beirne, being
dogged at every step, but he appreciat-
ed thoroughly the situation, and was
determined on getting to the appointed
place. 1t might be q matter of life or
death when there, but to fail to get
there was matter Of honor or dis
honor. AS the men neared the place
the difficulties around them thickened,
and many tricks and DISCUSSES were re-
sorted to, while renewed efforts were
made in the cities TO entrap them.
1t was st the same time understood
by the two opposing parties, the Ma
hon5ites aGd anti-Mshoneites that
there was more N this than mere
abuse between the two editors. The
two papers had been fitting at each
other for a good while, and the two
men felt that the eyes of the state were
upon them.
FROM HEN RCOSTs TO THE FIELD OF
HONOR.
The two champions proceeded forth
the other night, lying IN hen-roosts or
creeping into barns and dark cabins.
Thursday night it was unC erstood that
they were about sixty miles apart.
Early the next morning Ejam passed
through Towns Gap, in the Blue Ridge
Mountains. As they approached the
scene of the proposed tryst their diff
cultles were increased. WaynesborO
Is very old town under the western
shadow of the Blue Ridge. 1t was Sc
lected because it was almost midway
between Green Brier county, where
Belrne was, and the "slashes of Hano-
vel" where Elam was. The only kew
by which the two parties could fEd
each other was the password Number
one" The WEAKNESS of the long Jour
ney bad not cooled the ardor of the
two men. No affair of this kind has
ever created such excitement in Vir-
ginia. All day kilograms have been
pouring IN. In Richmond the excite
ment and anxiety were so great as to
seriously interfere with business.
The expense of the duel will proba-
bly, be about $500 or more to each duel
lst. The code allows the surgeon q fee
Of 500. Mr., Page Mccarthy, Beirpe's
first second, and who with William L.
Royal are said to have managed for
Blerne IN the affair, was g. principal in
the famous Mordecai-McCarthy duel,
In which the former was killed and
Mccarthy desperately wounded. On
that occasion army revolvers were used.
Mr.. Mccarthy is now 8 resident of
Washington and connected with the
Post and other papers, ana was associ.
ate editor Of the Capital under Don
Platt. Beirne and his second slept all
night In their Jersey wagon on the bat
tie ground.
THE BALL.
The ball is still in Elam's thign, Vie
surgeon being unable to get it out. AS
he was being carried from the field.
Eiam remarked, 81 am nit again; oh,
- It, can't shoot" referring to his
former experience in duel with Col.
Thomas Smith, of Fauquier, who shot
him In the f@ce. Before he accepted
Beirne's challenge, EIam placed his
resignation as Secretary OF the Com
monwealth IN the hands OF s. friend
with Instructions to do with it as he
thought proper. 1t is supposed that it
has been placed in the hands of the
Governor and accepted. a stringent
anti-dueling law WAS passed the winter
before last, which makes duelling g.
felony.
THE POLITICAL PHASE
The duel, it is thought will have a
great bearing On Virginia politics. A
coalitiOnist declared to-day that ii
would secure Elam the coalition nomi-
nation for Governor, a nomination
which until now it was thought John S.
Wise had a clear title to. AS to Beirne,
although he is but u years old, it
brings him to the front as one of the
foremost men in his party. In Rich
mond the news of his success has Gre
ated great jubilation, and the number
of t,juleps drank tonight over it has
been noticeable.
The earliest case of dueling in the
United States was that OF Edward Doty
and Edward Lester, two serving men
among the Puritans of New England.
1t occurred, says the quaint historian,
at Plymouth in 1921. Tie parties were
servants of Stephen Hopkins, and hay
ing dispute they settled it gentleman
llKe with sword and dagger. Both were
wounded. The Puritans assembled Ia
convention and inflicted the following
just punishment: Doty and Lester
were ordered to be tied together, heads
and feet, for twenty-four hours without
food or drink, but the intercession of
their master, their own humility and
promises procured their speedy release.
This was the first duel fought On this
continent, and they were disposed of
neck and heels, the object of jeers and
sneers.
The duel as form of combat is of
great antiquity, authorized according to
Blackstone in the laws of Gundebald,
A. d. SOL, which are preserved in the
Burgundian code, and afterward it was
established throughout the naonarchies
of Europe. 1t is a rule of the dark ages,
which in the present state of civibza-
ton cannot be justified.
HARRISBURG, Va. July 2-Lt. Gov.
Lewis, at whose house w. G. Elam lies
wounded, was here to.day. He is very
uneasy about Elam. DR.. Wheat. his
physician, says he may be about in 10