Thomas County cat., 1885-11-26
STUDENTS DUELS.
DisgracefuI Battles Sen by an English.
man Il: n Germ an University Town.

man Il: n term an University Town.
Having received an invitation to be
present at series of duels about to b
fought one afternoon in July at Wurz-
burg. l Grove with my friend. a student
of former days. distance of about
three miles from the city, when we
alighted and the facre was discharged.
Although such meetings were an open
secret, all concerned used their best en-
deavors to throw the police of the
scent. We walked along the high road
for about half q mile, and then struck
into thickish wood, proceeded some
sly hun drei or seven hundred yards,
passed Que of the many student senti-
nels posted at certain distances On van
tage ground, and one hundred yards be-
yond the redette we came to a clear lev
ell space well sheltered from the heat of
the sun--it was now 2:30 p. m.-by the
tall overllanglng trees in full leaf, where
. number of young men were assem-
bIed. l was here introduced to the
senior student Il man of mature years,
who. after telling me that he had
fought ninety-four dnels, explained the
nature of the proceedings about to take
place. which he was to direct, assisted
by certain umpires. l was the only
stranger present. On the ground We're
two small casks of beer. a tnrd con-
tanning water, a diminutive camp table
upon which were spread numerous
blndages, some lint plasters, and sun
dry mcdicaments, and n camp stool.
The students shook hands with each
other in friendly way, smoked their
pipes, and ccnversed in an undertone
until muster roll was called, to which
twenty-four replied.
The business of the meeting then
commenced. The names of two stu
dents of different universities being
called, they prepared for combat by re-
moving their hats. coats, waistcoatS,
collars and ties, and protecting their
necks, breasts, aims and thighs with
stout pads, and their eyes with stout
metal spectacles, which also cover the
temples, their heads and faces being
otherwise wholly exposed. Having
shaken hands, the combatants set to
slashing at each other with all the skill
of which they were masters, the seconds
promptly interfering at the smallest ex-
hibtion OF temper or passion. Tho
surgeon in attendance had no easy
berth, blood gush ng forth on both
sides, three, four. five times, until one
or the other gave IL.
The antagonists seemed fairly
matched, except in one encounter,
when lad of sixteen or seventeen
years. novice. was pitted against a
man OF double his age. The loy's
blood flowed freely. his face and head
being hacked until both were complete
ly covered with bandageS, he mean
while refusing to lower his sword. until
it at last fairly dropped out of his hand.
He was then led OF and seated on the
grass. when he Immediately called for
his pipe. "That youth whispered
my friend, "will be in state of high
fever tonight; he will have to keep his
bed for the next three or four weeks,
and he may even succUm5 to the effects
of his wounds" This CHANGED to be
the third encounter and turned away
sick at heart and would have taken my
leave but was asked not 10 60 until
the end.
Thus were fought twelve duels.
hurr.ed away so soon as l obtained
permission, and my friend and 1 re.
turned to town on foot, having kept
the wood the greater part of the way.
There was no bantering or chaifing
during the proceedings, which We're
conducted in a most orderly manner,
beer being literally passed to those
who asked for 1t, some of whom. it |
struck me, must have been uncommon |
ly thirsty.
One feature is worth special mention. |
Like most Young men. many students |
were accompanied by their dogs, and
before any swords We're crossed these
animals were firmly chained to the |
smaller trees around. Upon inquir.ng
the reason. l was tod that instances OF |
the nose of q combatant being sliced
off We're sufficiently frequent to neces-
state such precaut!On. for that men,
ber of the face had sometimes disap-
peared when dogs were lose, and
this to the permanent Disagreement
of the wounded man: whereas. if the
nasal organ were instantly picked up,
it was restored to its place by the sur
reon. The swords used were of the
length of an ordinary foil. the blades
being narrow, flexible and keen-edged.
Now. the strangest part of the story
is this, that these sickening fights were
not the consequence of any bona tide
insult offered by one university TO the
other. When students were dull and
diversion was needed, student would
20 up to the student of some other uni
ver>ity and call him SchctskOpt. or
say "Na. Dr. bist Elm damnler .Jun1e"
This was al once resented by the mettle
and skill OF each university being pat to
test by recourse to the baneful encount-
srS have described. The same night
attended at Kneipe or beer-house.
where some fifty or sixty youths sat at
l long table. with huge SctoDJen in
ront of them filed with beer. In the
.hair was the senior stud mt. but none
If those who had been engaged were
present. l sat from nine to eleven
istening to some very pretty and in
piring songs. sung in chorus. the ra-
,idity with which the Schopfem were
implied and refilled being inconceiv- (
ble.-Captain !. B. Teller. X. N, in