Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-07-03

Nr. ystn Johns Calls Ont msjss YsIisss--
Az Assat Low CASE.
rpaftt,uoro A snarfcur


While the people in general condemn
the " field Of honor" as place Of set
Ting grievances and disagreements, YET
from certain developments which have
come to light in Towson it is certain
that advocates and lovers of the duel
still exist. Certain papers were fled
few days ago in the Orphans Court at
Towson relating to matters in the cele-
brated Johns will case. Like many
papers Of the kind, it said some not
very agreeable things Of the opposing
side. Mr.. John Johns, who is inter-
ested in the case, took exceptions to
some Of the statements, and de-
clared that they reflected seriously
upon the character Of his wife and
other relatives. The counsel for the
cayeatees-opponents Of Mr.. Johns
are Messrs. John ]. Yellott, Brown 4
Bruno, !. Nevett Steele, and Mr.. A. w.
Machen. On tuesday each one Of
these gentlemen received singing let
ter from Mr.. Johns, calling them to ac-
count for their conduct. The letter re-
ceived by Major Yellot, however. was
different from the other four, and con-
tanned formal challenge to duel. 1t
demanded the satisfaction which those
who have certain notions about honor
declare one gentleman must give to
another. The challenge to Major Yell
lot, which is quite brief, covering
one side Of sheet of letter-paper,
states, in substance, that Mr.. Yellott,
in filing caveat in the Orphans Court,
over his signature, had charged Mrs.
Johns, his wife, and Mrs. Beatrice Mer-
ryman Black with fraud and conspi-
racy, and in order to obtain satisfaction
he challenges Major Yellott. Mr..
Johns in his challenge names Robert
NJ. Newton as his friend, and asks Mr..
Yellott to name his friend to arrange
matters. AS duels are Of very rare
occurrence nowadays, a reporter
of the american called on Major
Yellott at his residence at Towson
in order to obtain all the data, such as
place, time, and &eapons-in regard to
the duel. The Major was found at his
residence, surrounded by his family,
and in his pleasant greeting to the re-
porter there was not the least indica-
ton Of gore. In fact, a neat annex,
with modern conveniences, which Ma
jor Yellott is building to his residence,
would indicate that he hopes to spend
many years on this mundane sphere,
challenges to the contrary notwith-
standing. Mrs. Yellott wore ples,ant
smile, and did not present the appear
ance of lady whose husband is about
to leave his body on the field.
When Major Yellott was asked by
the reporter if he intends to reply to or
accept the challenge of Mr.. John Johns
he appeared very surprised that it was
known that he had received the chal-
lenge. Though reluctant at first to
speak of the matter, the Major said that
he had received the challenge from Mr..
Johns, and, upon being requested by
the reporter, allowed him to read it,
the substance of which is given above.
He treated the matter very lightly.
Major Yellott further stated that Mr..
Johns had written very insulting letters
to the other counsel engaged in the
case.
Major Yellott explained that deed
conveying certain property of the
Johns estate to Mrs. Black and others
had been produced after the recent
will case had been decided, and Mrs.
Black afterward transferred her right
to Johns. The counsel Of the other
side. in filing the paper in the case,
had followed the usual form of legal
practice, and it is to some Of the state
ments contained therein at which Mr..
Johns felt aggrieved. Major Yellott
treated the challenge as joke, and
left the impression on the reporter
that he would pay no attention what
ever to the challenge.
AS already stated, Mr.. Johns sent a
letter to each of the counsel, and the
language in some Of them is anything
but elegant. Major Yellott is the only
one whom he challenges to duel. He
intimates in his letters to the others
that he will not challenge them, be-
cause he regards them as too cowardly
to fight. In his letter to Mr.. F. w.
Bruno Mr.. Johns also charges him with
declaring over his signature that Mrs.
Johns, Mrs. Black, and other of his
kinswomen, obtained possession of
the deed by fraud and conspiracy.
He accuses Mr.. Bruno of being the
cause of his losing his property; ;
charges him with packing juries "
and coaching witnesses" and calls him
cowardly lying, &C., &C., and .ntimates
that it would be of no avail to ask
such a man to fight, as he is too
cowardly. In his letter to Mr.. Bruno
Mr.. Johns states that he will be at
Towson on Thursday to-day. A case
ofreplevin against Mr.. Johns is assigned
for to-day, when he is expected to be
present. One Of the counsel stated that
the gentlemen who received the insult
ing letters are considering the advisa-
bility of suing Mr.. Johns for using the
mails for improper purposes. 1t is
stated that son of one of the lawyers
who received one of the letters was
very strongly inclined to go after Mr..
Johns with a rawhide, but was advised
not to do so, as it would give too much