Huntsville gazette., 1884-09-13
SHOCKING DOUBLE TRAGEDY.

- Du6l On In0 SIreeIS OF NlCksDuTSp uAiSset
Results in the Mortal Wounding of Roth
Long Feud Growing Out of an Invasion
of the Domestic Circle of Captain Bourne
by James f. Mel zler.
VICKsBURG. MISS. September o.
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 +. Metzler, occurred.
The impromptu duel-tOr such it was
Tsas not unexpected, and when the rapid
pistol firing was heard, and before the
cause of il was definitely ascertalned,
many in the vicinity remarked that it was
Captain Bourne and Metz er. Trouble
has long been brewing between these
men, ana 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 r divorce and one
for possession of the children. Captain
Bourne, whether justly or not, has held
Metzer responsible for his do
mestic 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, and both have
seemed to expect and dread just 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 or 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 Gu inmate then
and there. MttZer's right side was
towards Bourne and he did not see the
lat17r. Bourne, quick as a fash, pulled
his revolver and, without a word fred,
the ball passing through Metzler'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 and advanced on MetZ,er until they
| clinched, 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 short distance
above tiie 7.1Sarr, and ,he other in the abs
domen about two inches above the naveI.
Captain Bourne requested that Father
Plchrrit and his wife and children be
sent for. Father Picherit was sooli
found, and short time afterward
two of his children arrived, the oldest
| one, Brucie, beautiful little girl OF
about ten years of age, and the other q
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 cores spondent She stated
| that Bourne had sent for her, and thai
| she had sent her children, and asked
what she had better do. She was adj
vised to 60 to her husband, by all means
and Mrs. Metzer, the mother of jim
| M tZ!er, 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 hi;
wife he loved to death. 1t was pitiable
and touching sight to witness Captain
| Bourne'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 ex-
tracted from the body OF Metzler.
At 6 p. M, physicians stated that he
could not live TIN ough the night.
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