The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1886-06-16
"But if you are ignorant of the origin
and cause of this difficulty, how can you
point out wrong?"

Henry sat leisurely resting. In less than
three minutes the Nicaragnans were back.
"Well?" asked Howell's man.
"Well, Major Henry says if Joe
Howell will apologize it's no fight"
apologize for what?" asked the other
with some animation.
'Don't know and don't care" was the
laconic reply.
"Thcn there is no possible way OF
arranging this matter amicably. Sup
pose both parties approach each other
half way and shake hands without n
word? Will you sec Major Henry and
tell him the proposition comes from our
side?"
After some discussion they consented
to this, but very reluctantly.
This time the seconds remained fully
ten minutes by the side of their princi-
pals. There was animated discussion and
much gesticulation among them, but
they returned and said: "NIajor Henry
says Joe ought to apologize, and then
they can shake hands
''Then it means fight. Load your
navy. We will do likewise. Ten PAGES;
six barrels loaded; fire Mt will and adj
vance"
The line of fire was narrow path
Howell stood six feet seven inches in his
pants and an alpaca coat, making him n
dangerously conspicuous target. The
command was given:
"Gontlemcn, are you ready?"
Joe, who was facing the woods, an
swcred firmly Ready" but kept his eye
looking steadily along the barrel of his
cooked pistol. Henry in nonchalant
fashion, threw his head on one side, his
pistol dangling ut his arm, and in lazy
tone said "Rcady" The word was then
given, "Firew Both raised simultane-
ously, fired and missed. Howell cooked
with his right thumb and fired again be-
fore Henry was ready for his second
shot. Howells ball pierced Henrys left
forearm, when Henry again fired and
missed. Howell now came in with his
third shot, striking Henry in the abdo-
men. To this Henry responded with q
shot which threw up the dirt right at
Howell's feet. The latter then advanced
one step, and taking deliberate aim,
pulled the trigger. Seeing that Henry
was done for, Howells second rushed up
and threw up Joc's pistol with his hand
The shot flew away up in the air, that
certainly would then and there have killed
Henry.
The other side having cried "stop, !"
according to agreement in case of either
party being badly wounded, uttered
shrill cries of "Foul, FOUL" and immedi-
ately whipped out their revovers. Then
followed n scene of confusion, and for a
long time it looked as if n wholesale duel
would follow; but the crowd mterfcred
and prevented the fight. The wounded
man was taken to the Halfway house,
where he remained some weeks before he
could be transported to the city.
Perhaps the most Gel clebratcd duel that
was ever fought in the South was the
Prentiss- Foote duel of duels. In 1888
these two were pittcd against each other
in law suit, during the course of which
Foote, who was very wasp, flung some
taunt mt Prentiss. The latter retorted
The latter then challenged Prentiss. But
one shot was exchanged. Prentiss, who
was an unerring marksman, expressed
his intention before going upon the field
of not firing ut Footc. When the word
was given Foote fired SO quickly that
Prontiss was disconnected and pulled the
trigger before he intended. Foote was
hit in the shoulder, and here the matter
was supposed to end. "But Whispering
tongues can poison truth. Prcntiss, who
was lame, had leaned upon his cane dur
ing the duel and there was some talk of
his having used n reat. Such IN impu-
tation was wormwood to the proud spirit
OF Prentiss, and his restless imagination
worked him into n fine frenzy over it,
Finally he was told upon what he re-
garded rs good authority, that Foote
himself had insinuated some kind of in
suit about the matter. Prentiss was
eager to believe this and he did believe
1T. 81 had no animosity against him
when fought, but the next time he
shall not come off so lightly" The
terms OF second meeting were soon
arranged. The attempt to arrest the
principals was anticipated. Prentiss and
and his friends hid themselves near the
landing ut Natchez in order to get the
first boat. While here he accidentally
stumbled upon a cooking main. Prentiss
joined the spectators; the party were
startled when two cocks were put down,
one named Prentiss, the other Footc, in
honor of the duelists. They were not
n little chagriped when Footo killed
Prentiss Mt the first fiutter.
Prentiss and his party arrived on the
grounds just in time and found not only
Foote and his friends, but on immense
crowd of people. Among the latter
several small boys who had climbed a
tree, somewhat to the rear of the posi-
ton taken during the duel by Prentiss,
in order to get good view. AS the
principals were allotted their places Prem
tiss came limping to his with his cane,
which he threw aside as soon as he took
his position. Morgan noticed that he
smiled bitterly as he did so. At the
word Foote fired hastily, his ball strik-
ing the ground in front of Prentiss. The
latter aimed steadily at Foote, who stood
coolly and unfustered, his left arm
pressed against his side, his right hang
ing down. AS Prentiss pulled the trig-
ger the cap exploded, but the pistol fail
ed to go off. His second stepped up and
put on another cap, and fired the bullet
into tree to prove tho pistol was fairly
loaded It'll said that the box of caps con-
tanned 100, every one of which after