Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-02-12
4 MIDNIGHT DUEL.
On Top o f the Blue Ridge-A Roman
tic Stor y of the Late War.


things occur as we journey through
life, " and he looked as though MEM
ory was struggling with some sad
feature of his existence. He sighed
as he continued: Il remember as
though it was yesterday the march of
Hills corps along the winding Shen-
andoah up to the famoas Luray gap.
Who could ever forget that marchs
The road winding with the beautiful
river, and overhung with majestic
chain Of Blue ridge mountains, while
across the crystal water the magnifi-
cent valley, with its charming cottages
dotting the bounteous land with
white like balls of snow robed In
flowers. But the most engaging and
lovely object paled into insignificance
beside the peerless women of this
blessed country, and you may we'll
believe that when the camp was struck
the soldiers lost no time in making
their way to the surrounding cottages.
Soon the music of the violin was heard
and The shutting feet kept time to the
music, while, for time, the SOL
dier's face was lit with old-time JOY.
At one of these cottages the belle of
the valley reigned supreme, while
several southern soldiers Wed with
each other in paying homage to the
queen Among others were two
young soldiers-one from Georgia
and the other frona Mississippi-who
were specially energetic ia their atten-
tions, and so marked had this become
that those present watched the
play with constantly Increasing inter-
est, fully believing that both exhibit
ed case of love at first sight. This
surmlse on the part of those present
was only too true, as the tragic event
which followed fully proved. The
Georgian seemed to have the lead on
the Mississippian, and when the
dancers were called to take their
places he led the belle of the valley
to place in the set. At this time the
Mississippian was seen to approach
the couple and heard to claim the
lady's hand for the dance. An alter
cation ensued, but both were cool.
brave soldiers-two of the best shots
in the army-who did not believe IN a
war of words. So it was ended by
the Georgian dancing with the lady,
and the significant remark of the
Mississippian that 81 will see you
after this set"
when the dance was over the
Georgian was seen to seek the Missis-
sippian, and together they each called
friend from the crowd and departed.
When outside both claimed that an
insult had been passed, which could
only be wiped out by the blood of the
other, and that duel TO the death
should be arranged at once. A full
moon was just appearing above the
tops of the surrounding forest, and /
tell you this talk of blood in the
silence Of the night was anything but
pleasant.
No argument, however, would avail
with these men, so it was arranged that
the duel should take place on the top
of the Blue Ridge, near the center of
the road that passes through the gap;
that the weapons should be pistols at
fifteen PAGES, and to FIRE at or between
the words 'one, two, three firing to
continue until one or both were dead.
"The point was reached, the ground
measured off, and the men took their
positions without tremor. The moon
Shed its pale light down on a scene
never to be forgotten. A moment or
two and tho silence was broken by the
signal: zone, two, three" At the
word zone" the report Of two pistols
rang out in the midnight air, but the
principals maintained tn cir respective
positions. The Gaorgian's left arm
was seen to drop closer to the side,
but the Mississippian was immovable,
and still held his pistol to the front.
Again pistol shot was heard, coming
from the Georgian, and the Missis-
sippian still held his position but he
did not fire. The Georgian protested
that ha had not coma there to murder
him, out no answer was returaed.
The Mississippian's second approach
ed the principal and found him dead,
shot through the eye on the first dis
charge of the weapons. Death it
seems had been instantaneous. SO
much SO as net even to disturb his
equilibrium. Imay forget some things,
but the midnight duel on the top Of a.
spur of tde Blue ridge, with It's at
tendant circumstances, is not one Of
them.
There are no shops in any Abys-
slnian town. All the trade is done
within the traders home or compound
over glass of tedge or Matte. Flour
is ground by the woman Of the house;
on the premises bread is made, tedge
and mead are breWed in each house
hold. Each house rears its own cat
tie as well as children-baby, goats
and lambs, fowls and chickens are
brought up together, and are play
mates from their youth.
Raisin-making was first attempted
in California nineteen years ago, The
following year about 1, 900 boxes were
made made, and the industry has
rapidly progressed. Ten years ago
the crop amounted to about 40, 600
boxes. This year the crop is estimat-
ed at 200, 600 boxes.
Of all the old timers residents Of
Fort Benton, NJ. T., in the winter of
1923, but fourteen are known to bs
alive. Four were killed by Indians,
tvo oono ittad SIJicide one Harry