Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-07-08
Two Firemcu Dangerously Injured.
A DUEL NOT FOUGHT.
Supposed DueIiSts from Virginia Inter.
cepted fn This City-A Delayed Tratn
Thought TO Have Prevented . Aoes.
ing-An Arraug ememts Made.

Yesterday afternoon the police were Informed
that w. Chase Morton, OF Richmond Va.
and Charles Porterfied, of Charlestown West
Virginia, Were in the city for the purpose of
fighting duel in this vicinity. Detectives
Carter and Raft at once set out TO apprehend
the parties. 1t was supposed that Mr.. Morton
and his friend. Major X. f. Daniels, would
arrive on the Richmond train due here at $40
O'Clock but that train was late, and TO tins fact
il ascrbed the miscalculation which prevented
the meeting. The officers, about 4:30 o'clock,
went to the st. Marc hotel, and there found Mr.
Morton and his friend. Major Daniels, and sr.
rested them. They accompanied the officers
To headquarters, ana ut once sent for Repre-
sentative George ID. Wise. They went to Judge
Smells residence, where bail was given by Mr..
Wise i'm 81 900 tor the appearance of the par.
ties at the Police Court to-day.
The officers later ascertained that Mr. Porter.
field and his friend. George Washington said
TO be a relative OF the first President, were at
the Metropolitan hotel. The officers found MT.
Porterfield In his room. He appeared to be
nervous, and stated that he was here for the
purpose Of meeting Morton, but he did not
know OF the arrangements. and he was waiting
for his friend Washington, who was acting for
him. While speaking Mr.. Washington came
IN m and ne was, was arrested; In his room were
Were taken to police headq quarters, and subse-
quentlv Mr.. w. T.. Selden, OF the Metropolitan
hotel. went on their bonds Tor appearance this
morning.
TO SHOOT TILL ONE FELL.
1t is learned that Mr.. c. B. Butcher Q vir.
ginia politician, made all the arrangements for
the meeting, and that a written contract was
signed that they were TO meet with Smith 4
WessOn 32-caliber revolyers at ten PAGES and to
continue firing till one both fell. In the
event that neither had fallen when both re-
volvers were emp,ied, the duelists were TO load
again and continue firing. Hali-past o'clock
last evening was the hour named, and the farm
OF Mr.. Frank Hume. near Alexandria, the place
Tor the meeting. All tine arrangements had been
completed 10y the Porteriield party, even to the
selection OF surgeon and engagement Of car.
riage. when IL was ascertaiued that the other
party had been arrested.
CAUSE OF THE TROUBLE.
1t was surmised by some that the cause was
politics, both parties being known politi-
clans, Mr.. Morton holding a position I'm the
office OF the state auditor at Richmond. II wAs
volved. The affair, IL seems grows out OF family
matters. Mr. Morton had been corresponding
with daughter OF Col. Porterfield, and I'm the
course OF the correspondence intimated that his
letters had been tampered with This caused q
correspondence between Col Porterfied and
Mr.. Morton, and Mr. Charles Porterfield took tt
up in place of his father.
IN THE POLICE COURT.
This morning, in the Police Court, Judge Smell
sent for Prosecuting Attorney Lavender and
inquired of him If he had any papers I'm regard
to alleged duel case. Mr.. Lavender said he
would report on the case i'm lew minutes The
judge said: If there has been no challenge
given in the District We have nothing 10 do
with the case whatever. Ii my information y
u
understand these parties were arrested Q
telegram from Richmond. There are u num-
Der OF gentlemen here from Virginia, and see
no reason why they should he detained Unless
there are some papers filed in the pretty
soon 1 shall discharge them"
THE ALLEGED DUELIsTs DISCHARGED.
few minutes later Mr.. Lavender returned
into court, said he had examined the case, and
thought no District law had been violated. He
had no charges to file. The judge requested sIl
parties interested To step up. He said: The pros
ecuting attorney reports that upon All examt-
nation of the case he finds that breach of the
laws of this District has been committed and
you are all honorably discharged from this ju.
risdiction."
THEIR HONOR SATISFIED.
1t was said this afternoon that the misunder.
standing between Morton and Porterfield had
been satisfactorily arranged and that there
would be np appeal 10 the code.