National Republican., 1884-03-05
A STRANGE DUEL.
Flight with II Physician in
Los Angeles Isestaurant.

HOo AHktAtN AseHNuNEuhNs
Atd California
During the autumn of 1852, in Los Angeles,
Cal, Col. (since a distinguished general in
the confederate army, aud now deceased) j.
Bankhead Magruder. Sd artillery, United
States army who was visiting that city from
San Diego commenced an evening at Harry
Monroe's restaurant, in company with three
or four other congenial fellows, by ordering
champagne dinner of an elaborate char
actor. Ii was not long after the initial
movement of tho real old Duff Gordon sherry
from right to left that an eShiaration set
in, which was rapidly and radiantly height
ened to hilarious pitch. the reader may
rest assured so that after tho feast Of rea-
son and flow Of SOUL had got completely
under way, the nocturnal wayfarer might
have misinterpretod the medley of vocifera-
tiOn for sounds Of revelry second only to
those attributed 20 the beauty and chivalry
of Belgium's capital upon q momentous occa-
sion by tho author of "Childe Harold's Pill
grimage." In other words, as uproarous
controversy had quickly followed the gas
trOnomic discussion, during which Magruder
declared, with his characteristic suavity,
that Andrew Jackson was 'the greatest man
who ever trod in shoe leather" Col. John o.
Wheeler tossed off goblet of Krug ITO the
greatest of American statemen, Henry Clay"
whilo Thompson Burrll quahed placidly
away to the memory of Daniel Webster, the
greatest man tho world ever produced"
A certain disciple of Ksculapus who was
present then arose as ostentatiously as IL was
possible for him to rise under tho circum-
stances, and said my fatherwho was sheriff
Of Cayuga county, New York, was the great
est of all Americans" to which Nagruder
replied, vehcmontly: doctor, you're ID
foolp' The doctor at once challenged Magru-
der to fight, which cartel Of defiance was at
| Al a. al ,.ln
the spot, and over tho dining table, from end
to end distance, twelve feet weapons, der
ringer pistols. Mai. Horace Bell, in his cx-
citing book entitled "Reminiscences of o Ran
ger" presents his readers with the following
description of the duel Wilson Jones, the
doctors second, got the word, and the princi-
pals, without shaking hands, took their
respective stations, the majestic form of Ma
Rruder towering above that of the diminutive
doctor, who paled and shuddered when
brought face to face with the grim-visaged
son of Mars.
All was suspense. Tho word was to be-:
Ready fire! One, two, threew At the
word ready" to the dismay of all, the doc
tor bazed away When the smoke cleared
somewhat, to the horror Of the valiant disci-
pie of Esculapius, his antagonist stood as stiff
and defiant as an avengng demon. Tho
doctor qAailed. Magruder gared savagely
on him for a full minute. Tho spectators,
| spell-bound, looked on with horrible fore
boding. Magruder TOOK two side steps to
the right" which brought him clear Of
the end of the table. He then advanced tho
right foot to the front" with his glaring
eyeballs bent fercely on the now terrified
doctor. He then brought the left foot up to
the level of the right heel and leveled his
derringer at the ghastly face of the trembling
doctor. Then he advanced the right foot as
before and in this way, with firm and un-
relenting tread, he slowly advanced on the
now thoroughly frightened doctor, who made
q movement toward the door. The spocta'
tors interposed and cut off abe possibility OF
retreat in that direction. The doctor tried
to flank the colonel by skirmishing around
the table. Magruder faced to the left, as
though moving on a pivot, and kept the dire
ful derringer aimed directly at the doctors
palld countenance. In the excitement the
doctor ran under the table, crawled through
grasped the knees of the irate hero, and
afIectionately embracing them, said: "Col
Magruder, for tho love of God, spare my
family" The colonel gave him kick and
said "-- you! I'll spare you for thu
hangman." And, so saying, he handed tn,
weapon to his second, and the festivitie
were adjourned.