The Butler weekly times., 1885-12-02
TIE LIFE OF A DESPERATE.
Death OF the Servivor Of the Noted
Duel In a Dark Room.


yard Harfrook, an old time resident
IF this county, causes the resurrection
OF !ong-forgotten tales OF ms eocen-
fricit,es and wild foIlIes. Harbrook
was born in LewIsburg. Va, on
December 10, eighty-three years
ago. His parents belonged to one
OF the oldest families III the state and
were numbered among the wealth
,est residents Of this fertile country.
His father and only brother died
from a ,ntagious disease when he
was II years old, and from that pc
rod he h d absolutely no re>u amt
placed upon his actions. Ihose
who knew INN state that he was a
KIND friend. but possessed OF an
ungovernable temper, and when
fairly aroused spared neither friend
aor foe.
At the age OF 20 he fell desperate
" in love with Edith Vernon, the
daughter of a near neIghbor. She
refused him because Of his temper.
Eiwood Warner. the son OF
wealthy planter from below \icks
burg, was also suttor tor the lady's
tasors, and by his handsome figure
and polished manners succeeded IN
gaming her love. On hearing of
the engagement Haroroo& gave way
70 insane paroxtIms OF rage. lie
vowed thtt tie Ali>sisslppitn should
never live TO enjoy his trlumphs
Tie remark was repeated and reach
ed " arner's ears. The hot creole
blood of the souiherner boiled at the
threat, and, despite the persuasions
OF friends. he determined - make
Iisrbrook eat his words OF fight.
The two men met few days sub
seguentIy al the mouse of a friend.
Warner during the evening demand
ed an explanation OF the EIrginlan,
who, boiling over with jealous rage,
promptly knocked him down. Both
men drew pistols, which they were
prevented from using by the by
standers. Warner was rendered |
frantic by the brutal response to his |
naughty challenge, and ~wore deep |
oath that the Insult should be washed |
out in blood.
The matter was placed IN the |
naads of friends, who decided to |
settle the affair at once, although II
was then within short half hour of |
midnight. II was agreed that the
should be blindfolded and
I'D into a darkeued room, and that
each be armed with a pistol and
bowie knife. Both seemed anxious
;or the encounter. \ large upper
chamber was chosen and stripped OF
furniture and hangings. The WIN
lows and doors were then muff1ed
and everything put III readiness for
:le novel duel. Each man was
carefully bIndtolGed and led to
separate corner OF the room and /
provided with weapons by his sec
3n', who noi>ciessly Withdrew to the
next chamber, where they waited
with Dated breath tor the issue of
the struggle. The seconds grew
>iesa.y into minutes which seemed !
IKE hOurS to the anxious friends. till
nearly quarter Of an hour had
passed by. when .he loud repor; o;
two shots blended together rang out.
followed bv the sounds OF Il furious
>cut9e. THIS soon ended and all
heGame quiet. with the exception OF
= !css moan, now and then. OF
person evidently suffering intense
agony n light being procured, the
trends entered the room and were |
greeted by Il scene never to be for
gotten. The body OF the MISsis-
>inpian lay stretched upon the floor,
tie blood pouring in streams from
knite wounds in his throat, bosom
and abdomen. Lying across the
body, his right hand still clasping
She weapon which had done the
work, lay the almost iusensIole body
g see Nirginian. His right arm had
been broken at the wris, by a pistol