Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-11-12
AN AFFAIR OF HONOR.
Narrow Escape Of Chicago Drumm er
from Being Shot Down in AIabam n

rom Being Shot Down in AIabam n
GADsDEN, Ala, Now. Miss Nettie
Latham is one of the most beautiful
and dashing bellies of this county; she
IS vlvaclous and gay, leader in socie-
ty, and has been sued and sought bv
beaux Of all the surrounding country.
Her gayety has often been the subject
of remark, and among the elders and
gesslps has more than once excited
unfavorable comment. About two
weeks ago handsome young drummer
named Stump, representing one OF the
leading grain and provision houses Of
Chicago came to Gadsden. His pleas
ing address and fascinating m anners
made him many friends and among
the number was rated Major J, II.
Wyley, wealthy grain dealer at this
place, and man prominent through
out North Alabama. In the course of
a conversation Wyley incidently men
toned to Stump that he would find
Miss Latham very agreeable aouain-
lance, snd vaguely limited at the faint
whlsperlngs which her gayetY provok-
ed. Stump the following day sent
note to Miss Latham asking the pris
vilege of calling. He made some in
sultlng lnsinuation In the missive, and
signed it IAN Orphan" AS soon as
Miss Latham received the note she
sent ]. D. Young a well known young
man who has been paying her devoted
attention, and who, it is rumored, is
her Intended. She read to him the
contents and demanded that he admins
lister proper enlistment on the per-
petrator of the insult. Young was
furious. He succeeded in discovering
the messenger, and forced HIM to dis
close the name Of the sender. At
once arming himself he sought Stump
and found him engaged in a game of
billiards at the Kittrel house. Young
walked up deliberately, jerked out
his pistol, and aiming squarely at his
head, pulled the trigger, but young
man who was standing by threw up
his arm as he fired, and the bullet
lodged in the ceiling. Stump rushed
on his assailant but before he could
fire again was disarmed and fair plap
demanded. Young by this time had
recovered speech, and denounced
Stump as villain who had attempted
to ruin Miss Latham. Stump realized
bis position and explained TO Young
that he knew nothing whatever con-
corning the lady; that he was stran>
ger and acted solely on information
given to him bp q very reputable cit
lizen.
Young demanded the name of the
informant, and Stump said the name
Major Wyley. The two went to wy
ley, where the CONVERSATION was re-
peated. Major Wyley replied, 81
told him only what was town talk and
can stand by it." Young demanded
that he make a public retaction
and Wyley cody responded: IT am
an old man, past sixty, while you are
young, powerful and active. I warn
you not to lay the weight of your
finger on me. I will not retract any
thing, and if you want satisfaction,
we will shoot it out here at ten PAGES"
Young, muttered some reply about
seeing him again and left the house.
A day passed, and on the following
morning Wyley, while standing on
the public square, saw young APP
preaching. As young came up ne
exclaimed: 81 demand that you take
back what you said concerning Miss
Latham" Wyley said he would take
back nothing. Young then struck
him a singing blow on the temple.
which knocked him down, but, as he
arose, he jerked out his pistol and fir
ed at his assailant. Young by this
time had also drawn his weapon, and
duel at short range ensued. Eight
shots were exchanged. Young was
wounded in the hip; both had several
bullets through their clothes, and
two bystanders received bullets
through their sleeves. Young's
wound is quite serious, and will Grips
Pile HIM. The impression prevails
that this IS but the beginning, and
that duel will be arranged in the
near future.