Savannah morning news., 1885-08-29
A BLOODY DUEL IN CALIFORNIA
Quarrel About the Merits OF Two
Armies-On Horseback with Kaplers.

l
Armies-On Horseback with Kaplers'
From the san Frqncise9 CaH
A duel was fought with French rapiers
near the Ocean House, kept by Barney
Farley.on Saturday morning, by a French
man and a German. The former is
named Gascon, and it IS said that ne
owns a ranch of 1900 acres In Marin
county. The latter, whose name could
not be learned, is said to be lawyer in
this city. The German and the French
man met a short time ago and discussed
the relative merits Of the cavalry OF the
two armies in the Frsnco-Prussian war.
! Gascon was a Captain Of horse in the
French army, and stoutly maintained
that the cavalry OF Napoleon Ill. was
much superior to that that invaded
France. The German, who went TO
school at Heidelberg University, replied
warmly to this claim. Their words led 10
threats, and finally 10 Il challenge TO test
their merits with swords, aud thus settle
the question in regard TO the superiority OF
one army or the other.
The ARRANGEMENTS were conducted with
the greatest secrecy. At Z O'Clock SAT
urdav morning a hack drove up % the
house OF a well-kuOwn athlete, and tue
occupants, the Frenchman aud his party,
asked the athlete to act AS referee OF a
sword contest which was about to take
place.
The athlete states that he supposed the
contest was 10 be a scientific one for
points and harmless in its character. lie
readily consented, and getting into the
mack the party was driven TO the Ocean
House, where the German, with his
friends, were already in attendance.
Leaving their carriages, the two parties,
which in all did not number more than
ten persons, started for n raYine about 400
Yards back OF Barney Farley's house.
The duel WIS 10 be fought on horseback,
and the weapons TO be used we're French
rapiers, 36 inches long, sharp on the
edges and at the point.
The two men stripped FOR the encOun-
ter. GascOn wore light trousers and
blue flannel shirt and steel helmet over
his face. He had a black beard and
moustache. In disparity was physician
and several OF his friends.
The German was large, heavy man,
weighing fully 1870 pounds. He wore a
dark flannel shirt and dark trousers. The
Frenchman mounted a big gray horse that
had been brought for him, and the Ger
man rode bay.
The referee states that when he saw
the character of the weapon he protest
ed, but the two men said they knew what
they were doing.
The referee at II O'Clock, ordered the
first charge. The two riders spurred
their horses and advanced with uplifted
swords. AS they came together they each
parred the others blow ana retired.
A second charge was ordered by the
referee and the two men came together
again. Again the vicious blows were
warded of and both returned safely.
A third charge was ordered. Gascon
rode rapidly toward his adversary, and
with great skill cut an ugly cash In the
Germans right arm. 1t is said that upon
the sight of this Gascon's friends could
hardly restrain their excitement. When
the blood began to flow a number of the
Germans friends, seeing the serious and
dangerous character OF the atfray, 1ed
The referee states that the Germans
doctor was among those who beat a hasty
retreat. The referee states that be tried
TO prevail upon the men TO give up the
encounter, but they both refused to do so.
The Frenchman's friends grew more
excited with the passage every moment,
and demanded continuance of the con-
test.
The referee then ordered the fourth adj
vance and both men rode toward each
other. The Germans sword arm was
wounded, but he held his sword up and
spurred his horse on. But be had lost
much OF ais strength, ana as the two men
came together GascOn whipped his rapler
over the Germans arm at the elbow, in
ilictiug another wound. 1t is supposed
that the weapon also struck the "crazy
bone" for the Germans arm fell helpless
ly by his side. Then the Frenchmsn
made a desperate rush on his disarmed
opponent and struck him first on the
breast, cutting him from the left nipple to
the third rib, laying open the flesh and
exposing the ribs. Again he raised his
rapier and again IL whizzed through the
air in its descent and cut a cash on the
Germans arm. The weapon was again
poised for another thrust when the referee
rushed upon Gascon and dragged him
from his horse.
This Frenchman, enraged at that act Of
the referee, turned upon him. But the
referee fled behind buggy that was near
the ground and saved himself. The duel
was over.
The Gsscon party entered their car
riSge and drove to the Clin House. The
Germans friends returned with a car
riaXe- His physician sewed up the
wounds mpOrarily and removed MIN TO
farm house in the neighhorhOOd, where
the wounded man was treated more care
fully. Before separating every member
OF the party agreed TO say nothing Of the
affair, as it was criminal ofense. But
IL was AN event that could not be smoth-
cred In silence, and the affair having been
hea Of the above account Of II was OBJ
tained from the referee.