The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1884-09-07
Desperate Deed of a Man Whose
Home Was Broken Up by
q False Friend.
A Duel to the Death on the Streets Of
Vicksburg, Miss, Between Captain
Bourne and James F. Metzler.
Touching Scene Between the Dying Mar
and His Chidren-The Wife's
Strange Conduct.

NICkSBURG, MISS, september g.
About quarter before twe,ve O'Clock
yesterday Washington street in the vicin.
ity of Arthur Jacobs store was the scene
OF an intense excitement. A bloody and
thrilling tragedy, resulting in the
death OF Captain Joshua W.
Bourne and the mortal wound.
ing of James F. Metzler, occurred.
The impromptu duel-for such it was
was not unexpected, and when the rapid
pistol firing was heard, and before the
cause of it was definitely ascertained,
many in the vicinity remarked that it was
Captain Bourne and Metz err. Trouble
has long been brewing between these
men, and it eliminated in the bloody
work of Yesterday.
ORIGIN OF THE TROUBLE.
The beginning of the trouble between
the two men dates far back in the past.
There has been trouble between Captain
Bourne and his wife, and two suits are
now pending, one for divorce and one
for possession of the children. Captain
Bourne, whether justly or not, has held
Metzler responsible for his do
nestle infeliclty, and this it was that led
TO the bloody affair of yesterday. As
stated above, the two men have been at
outs for some time, aud both have
seemed to expect and dread lust such
an affair as occurred yesterday, as they
seemed to shun each other.
THE TRAGEDY.
They met, however, yesterday, and an
eye witness gives the following account
of the terrible scene that followed:
Metzler was standing on the sidewalk on
the west side of Washington street. He
was alone, or at least was not talking
to anyone. Bourne approached, but did
not seem to notice his arch-enemy until
within probably fifteen feet of him.
Suddenly he raised his eyes and the
hatred of years seemed to eliminate then
and there. Metzler's right side was
towards Bourne and he did not see the
latter. Bourne, quick as a fash, pulled
his revolver and, without a word fired,
the ball passing through 's,bowels
and body, making, it is thought,
mortal wound. MetZler then re-
treated into Arthur Jacobs store, Bourne
following and firing rapidly. Alter Metz
Ter got into the store he got behind the
counter, drew his pistol and commenced
returning the fire. Bourne continued to
shoot aud advanced on Metzler until they
clnched, both firing until both pistols
were emptied, when they were separated.
HIS WIFE AND CHILDREN.
Captain Bourne received two wounds,
one in the left breast a short distance
above the heart, and the other In the ab.
fnmnp nh oh he
Captain Bourne requested that Father
Picherit and his wife and children be
sent for. Father Picherit was soon
found, and short time afterward
two of his children arrived, the Oldest
one, Brucie, a beautiful little girl of
about ten years of age, and the other
boy OF five or six years. Upon hearing
the news Of the terrible affair,
Mrs. Bourne went directly to the
house of Captain Metzler, the
father Of Mr.. MetZler. While there she
met your correspondent. She stated
that Bourne had sent for her, and that
she had sent her children and asked
what she had better do. She was ad.
vised to 60 to her husband, by all means,
and Mrs Metzler, the mother of Jim
Metzer, also told her she should most
certainly 60 to him.
BOURNE DEAD.
Captain Bourne died at five O'Clock last
evening at the La Madrid House, where
he had been taken, without seeing his
wife he loved to death 1t was pitiable
and touching sight to witness Captain
Bournc's two little children sitting on
the floor by the side of their dying father.
The sympathy of the entire community is
undoubtedly with Captain Bourne.
Mrs. Bourne was formerly Miss Mary
L. Mabin, of this county, and married
Captain Bourne shortly after the war.
Captain Bourne has been Chancery
Clerk of this county, and has occupied
other high official positions.
METZLER'S WOUND.
After the shooting Metzler was ar.
rested, but when found to be badly hurt
was conveyed to the residence of his
father. The ball which is thought to
have made the mortal wound, was ey.
tracted from the body Of Metzler
At Z p. m, physicians stated that he
could not live TIN ough the night.