The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1885-05-23
QUEER DUEL.

Vicksburg, Miss, May I6.-This
community was startled yesterday
morning by the announcement that
a fatal and desperate duel with
shotguns had been fought in Roll
ing Fork, at s o'clock, between s.
F. Shelton, Chancsry Clerk of
Sharkey county, and William X.
McLaurin, an attorney, both promi-
nent and popular citizens of Roll.
ing Fork, resulting in the killing OF
the former instantly. The first in.
formation of the sad affair here
was a private telegram to Mr.. s.
NJ. Shelton, cousin of the deceas.
ed, asking that a casket be sent
there to bring the body to this city.
The south.bound freight train ar.
rived here about noon. upon which
was a young man who had come
as a messenger from Mr.. w. X.
McLaurin for the purpose of send.
ing a telegram to his brother in
Brandon. From him your reporter
Cleaned the following statement:
CAUSE OF THE DIFFICULTY.
This difficulty is the outgrowth
of bad blood which originated be.
tween Shelton and II. j. McLauren
o brother and partner of William
X. McLauren, when Shelton de.
feated him in the election for Cir.
cult and Chancery clerk. 1t was
thought at that time that trouble
would ensue. The matter blew
over, though q GOODNESS existed
batween them, and thus matters
stood until Wednesday, when w,
X. McLauren desired an acknOwl.
edgement made on some papers in
q case of which his firm had charge,
Mr.. Shelton declined to acknowl
edge the papers until his fees were
paid in advance. Mr.. McIIauren
reported to Judge North in open
court that the clerk had refused to
acknowledge his papers, and asked
that he be required to do so. Mr..
Shelton remarked that no one but
q fool would make such a PROPOSE
sition to the court. Mr.. McIIauren
called him a liar. The judge here
interrupted them and fined each
$40. On Thursday morning a ne
gro brought to Mr.. McLauren Q
note of a very strange character
purporting to be challenge, but
which had no signature to it. The
negro said Mr.. Shelton sent 1t
Mr.. McLauren took the note ant
sent it through a friend Of Mr.
Shelton's to ask ii he wrote it
Mr.. Shelton told this gentleman
that he did. Mr.. McLauren ther
sent message to Mr.. Shelter
stating that he was sick in bed
but that he would answer his note
as soon as he was able to get out
This note l read but do not feel al
liberty to give the contents of i
for publication, though it designa
ted the place Of meeting, on the
railroad back of the colored churcl
about a quarter of a mile north O
the depot, the spot where thu
fight took place. l met Mr.. Nc
Lauren Friday evening and asket
him If he had answered that not,
yet. He said: No. but l will dt
so as soon as l am able, which will
be sson." met him Saturday
morning about 7:30 O'Clock coming
out of his office with a shotgun ii
his hand. Isupposed that some
thing was up and did not speak t,
him. A short distance from m,
he passed Mr.. Shannon, the cit,
Marshal, who asked him if he wa
going bird hunting, when Nc
Lauren said YES and passed on
going up the railroad track unob
served by the citizens, except
few of his personal friends, VIII,
had an inkling of what was up
About fifteen minutes after, MI
Shelton was observed leaving tn
clerks office with a gun on hi
shoulder, and going in the sam
direction. Shortly after they lef
Mr.. H. j. McLauren called for M
to be prepared for anything whicl
might occur, as they were going t,
bring that matter to a head. Abou
fifteen minutes after Shelton left
while | was at the west side of th
bayou, a single shot was heard VI
the railroad. | did not hear il
but went back to McLauren's oi
fee in about ten minutes and foun,
McLauren there in the custody o
Capt. Joe Stevens, who said tha
City Marshal Shannon had met hin
on..the way back, arrested him an,
placed him in charge of Capt
Stevens, allowing him to bring hi
gun back to the Office. This is al
a. -