The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1883-03-10
A Terrible Duel.

A bloody, cruel and novel duel was
fought in the lower edge of Guilford, be-
tween Ralph johnson and Sacks Will
liams. two young farmers of that section,
and rivals for the affections of young
woman. Bad feelings had existed Ee-
tween them for some time, ending in
harsh words two days previous to the
fight. Soon afterwards johnson sent a
friend to Williams with letter, demand
ing retraction of certain language used.
Williams declined to withdraw his re-
marks, and further correspondence re-
suited in an agreement to meet in hostile
combat, the time being fixed for the Goth
! ult. The articles drawn up specified
horse-whips as the weapons to be used,
something not heretofore recognized by
the code in South Carolina. These
weapons were chosen, it is understood, !,
in order that the parties could thereby
! evade the penalties of the duelling law,
which does not specify horse-whips as
deadly weapons. Under the rules OF the
! fight each man was required to stand
| upon line traced upon the ground max
! ing the distance between the combatants
about three feet. They were armed with
heavy horse-whips, especially selected
for the fight, and the second of each
duellist was supplied with an extra whip,
to be used by his principal in the event
of the wearing out or breaking of the
weapon first used. The combatants met
one morning, according to agreement.
The field selected was hard and level
spot about half mills from the main
road. The lines were made of rope, fas.
tened to the ground by long staples.
After vain attempt had been made by
the seconds to adjust the difficulty, the
men took place for the fight. Both were
in their shirt sleeves, the provisions
of the fight being that no coat, vest or
undershirt be worn. At z o'clock the
question was asked: Gentlemen, are
you ready?' Each man nodded his
head. The command "Strike!' was then
given, and the duellists fell to blows
with vigor. Although the blows given
were heavy and and fast, neither man
finched. Upon the hands and face OF
the combatants great welts soon rose ,and
the shirts of tile men soon gave evidence
that the blood was being drawn. AT
times they welded their weapons with
one hand, then with both, and occasion.
ally one or the other was forced by the
desperate assault of his adversary to fall
back from his line. After fighting for
half an hour time was called, and the
men. nearly breathless, were given q
brief resting spell. The fight continued
for three hours, with short intervals for
rest. The seconds finally decided thai
the requirements of the code had been
complied with, and forced the duellists
to desist. It is understood that Johnson
was more severely hurt than his adver.
sary, and that there is not place on his
body that is not covered with welts
| Many of the blows gashed the flesh in q
horrible manner. Williams is almost in
the same condition, and both are now
suffering terribly from the effects oi
their wounds, which are such that they
can hardly lie down. Their feet are al
most the only parts not covered with
cuts. No arrests have been made, and
friends of the duellists are endeavorine
to hush the matter up Raleigh OBJ
server.