Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1886-09-15
STUDENT DUELS.
The Brutal Combats Carried On in
the Universities OF Germany.

In letter to the iSdratogian DR.. w.
Stillman describes the student duels of
Germany. There are, he writes, three
kinds OF duels known to German stu
dents. One is called the American
duel, another is the sable mensur, I"
and the third is the ordinary mensur,
in which all the person is protected ex-
cept the face and head, which are
pecked away at with small, flexible
Glade. The eyes are safe behind iron
spectacles, and there is really almost
no danger. In the first kind, one must
die. Lots are thrown and one must
destroy himself. In the second the
danger is midway between the two 9TH
ers. Three of the prime pal arteries on
either side of the body are protected,
likewise the eyes, but the chest, arms,
head and face are left to the mercy Of
the heavy, Misunderstanding sabre.
One blow through the unprotected heart
and mans dueling days would termi-
nate. The different kinds of dueling
represent as many grades of insult To
Gala fellow student an 'signoramus"
is all that is required to demand the
second kind. The first is largely re-
served to settle precedence in love af-
fairs, though, of course, the maiden
never marries the survivor. / was in
vited to attend a ''saDle mensur," re-
Gently. in Berlin, as a guest of one of
the corps. Taking an elevated road to
the outskirts of the city, we found the
clans assembled in a quiet "ber local"
on great square. Representatives of
all the student corps in the university
were there-red caps, blue caps, green
caps and black caps. Our arrival was
none too early, for no sooner had our
coats been laid aside than the assem-
bled students and guests solemuly
arose. took their beer mugs in their
hands, and filed in stately procession
past the bar and into the long adjacent
room, called by courtesy "a hail."
which is hired by the corps together
for dueling purposes. 1t was patriot
ically decorated with German flags on
the walls, and pugilistically with saw
dust on the floor, which had been
cleared. AT either end of the room was
stalwart young gladiator, with leu
tonic features, preparing for the con-
test On the chairs, close at hand,
were lint, surgical Instruments and
sponges. Around were medical stu
dents, seconds, officials, sympathizers
and lookers-on. Everybody was ex-
pectant and the garcons passed around
the beer.
Presently the combatants were
brought up facing each other, and their
sword arms held aloft by attendants.
The seconds took their places, and the
blue cap from the head of the tall stu
dent, who looked mad. and the red cap
from the pale student who looked calm.
They were dressed only in shirts, trow-
sers and shoes, and stood in position
with one hand held behind. The points
of the duelists were discussed and the
garcons passed around the beer.
Everything was ready. The sabres
were crossed. The word was given
and the seconds cried ''loose." The
blades flashed. There was success
ion of clashes and a vigorous whirling
OF sharp steel through the air. sud-
denly loud cry of '.hait" is given.
There Is pause and the student who
looked mad has lost piece of his skin
aud shirt sleeve together A surgeon
staunches the flow of blood and the
garcons pass round the beer.
With the same forma.i,ies the contest
begins. The atmosphere is cut into
many giplets. The pale student puts
the most science-his antagonist the
most force-into his blows. The for
mer is cool and c;ever--lhe blood of
the latter is mounting. The fencing is
done with increasing energy. Again a
shout They sto3. The pale man has
a scratch on the right cheek-the tall
man is losing some of his angry blood
from deep cut in the left side of his
lace. Again more sponging-this time
lonSer-and again more beer. This
sort OF thing must be kept up fifteen
actual fighting time, or until
one is killed or disabled. On the whole
had rather see an amateur dog fight
Again they are at it, still more earnest
ly. Again the blue cap gets cash,
and his shirt front is covered with
blood.
This is not serious enough to stop
the brutal nonsense, and the final bout
is begun. The sabre of the pale stu
dent revolves with the speed and pre-
cision of a hy-wheel. They come so
close that the hits of the swords hit
The tall man is angry and in pain-the
other steady aud watchful. Suddenly
there is horrible moment when the
sabres miss their contact and sweep
Kissing through the air, and you expect
to see a head docapitated. A step for
ward. A shout. The seconds knock
the blades up. The head of the tail
man drops upon his chest and shows
ghastly cash through scalp and fore
head, and the blood trickles down on
me sawdust. Some one cries .funf
minuten, and the sable mensur" is
1t an end. You heave a sigh of relief
and are thankful tina, no one was killed
outright, and the garcon passes round
he beer.