West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1885-12-04
sTuo-arS Cu-Ls.
DSgraceful BATTLES Seen bV an EnglI,h-
man at n German University Town.

"Sh ~ ~ ecFhan university Town.
Having received an invitation TO bc
present at a series of duels about To 10
fought one afternoon in July at Wurz-
burg, grove with my friend. student
of former days. distance of about
three miles from the city, when we
alightcd and the 6dcrc was discharged
Although such meetings were an open
secret, all concerned used their best en-
dcavors to throw the police on the
scent We walked along the high road
for about half mile, and then struck
into thickish wood, proceeded some
SIX hundred 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 Cedcic we camc TO a clear lev
el space well sheltered from the heat of
the sun--it was now 2SO y. m.--by tho
tall oNcrhanging trees in full leaf, where
number OF young men were assem-
bled. l was here introduced TO the
senior student, man of mature wears,
who, after telling me that he had
fought nincty-four duels. explained the
nature of the proceedings about 10 take
place, which he was to direct, assisted
ny certain umpiros. | was the only
stranger present On the ground were
two small casks of beer. a tn ri con.
tanning water, dimiuutivc camp table
upon which were spread numerous
blndagcs, some lint plastcrs, and sun
dry medicaments. and camp stool
The students shook hands with each
other in friendly way, smoked their
pipes. and conversed i'm an undcrtone
until muster roll was called to which
twonty-four replied.
Tho 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 protect ng their
nccks, breasts, arms and thighs with
stout pads, and their ewes with stout
metal spcctacles, 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 cy-
hibltion of temper or passion. The
surgeon in attendance had no easy
berth, blood gushing forth on both
or the other gave in.
The antagonists seemed fairly
matched. except i'm one encounter
when a lad OF sixteen or seventeen
years, n novice, was pittcd 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 Mt last fairly dropped out Of his hand
lie was then led on and seated on the
grass, when he Immediately called for
his pipe. "That youth, whispered
my friend, "will bc i'm sta.1 of high
fever tonight; he will have TO keep his
bed for the next three or four weeks,
and he may even sUccumb TO the effects
of his wounds y This chanced to be
the third encounter and turned away
sick ut heart and would have taken my
leave but ! was asked not to 90 until
the end
Thus We're fought twelve duels
hurried away so soon as | obtained
permission, and my friend and / re-.
turned TO town on foot. having kept
the wood the greater part OF tho way
There was no bantcriug or chafing
during the proceed ngs, which were
conducted in most orderly manner,
beer being literally passed to those
who asked for II, some Of whom. II
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 were crossed these
animals were firmly chained 10 the
smaller trees around Upon inquirng
the reason, i was told that instances OF
the nose Of combatanC being sliced
off were sufficiently frequent to ncces-
state such precautiOn, for that mem
ber of the face had sometimes disap-
peared when dogs were lose. aud
this TO the permanent dsfigurcmcnt
Of the wounded man; whereas IL the
nasal organ were instantly picked up.
1t was restored 10 its place by the sur
geOn. 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 sickcning fights were
not the consequence of any bona lide
insult offered by one university to the
other. When students were dull and
diversion was needed, q student would
90 up 10 the student Of some other uni
versity and call him a SchDfsk0DC or
say ma, Du btt Elm hummer Jungeg'
This was at once resented by the mettle
and skill Of each university being put 10
test by recourse 20 the baneful encount-
ers ] have described. The same night
] attended at hncipc or becr-house.
where some fifty or sixty youths sat nj
long table, with huge SchODIcn i'm
front Of them filed with beer I'm the
chair was the senior student, but none
OF those who had been engaged we're
present. i sat from nine TO eleven
listening 10 some very pretty and in
spring songs. sung In chorus. the ra-
pidity with which the SchQDfeu we're
emptied and redlled being inconcciv.
able. - Captain j. b. Teller. H. ~, IN
London Times.
=-=s e=ls=-