Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-07-10
WANTED TO FIGHT A DUEL
THEY CAME FROM RICHMOND
FOR THAT PURPOSE.

Prominent Virginia Politicians Arrested
Before They Could Settle Their ID fer
ences by the Code-They Are Later
Released on Substantial Bail.
The signatures "Charles Porterfeld,
Richmond, Va" and George Washing
ton, Richmond, Va" on the register OF
the Metropolitan Hotel, says the Wash
ington Post, looked commonplace enough
in themselves, but when, Wednesday
morning, Detective Carter sauntered into
the hotel, and, looking over the register,
his eve fell on the names, he appeared
like a man who had suddenly discovered
a long-lost and dearly beloved brother. 1t
didn't take Maj. Walkers detective long
to become acquainted with the bearer of
the historic name and his friend,
and when, a few minutes later, he
coolly told them that the new Chief OF
Police wanted to interview them at police
headquarters they looked IA trine foolish
and not little uncomfortable. Porter
field is a young lawyer, % years old, the
son of the cashier of the second National
Bank at Charlestown, w. Va, and was
stylishly dressed. Washington is p, and
was equally well attired.
The parties were taken to police head
quarters, and after short interview con-
signed to the dungeons of the Seventh
Precinct station. At first they were
stubborn and refused to say anything,
but when they learned that the authOti-
ties here knew their errand their tongues
were loosened.
TO FIGHT DUEL.
Porterheld had come here to fight a
duel, and Washington would, had not the
myrmdons OF the law interpOsed, have
been his second. Mr.. Porterfeld and IA
Mr.. W. Chase Morton, of Richmond, had
had a Misunderstanding of some kind, as
TO the exact nature of which all parties
were Teticent, and nothing was left to
them but TO settle their difficulties by the
code. The men were to have met on
Frank Hume's farm In Alexandra
county, Va, at 1880 this evening. They
were 10 have been armed with Smith &
WessoE revolyeTs, facing each other at
ten PAGES distance, and the firing was to
continue until one or the other fell. Both
men are said by their friends to be OF un-
doubted courage, and both intend to en-
gage i'll contest y 0utrdBce.
IN DURANGO VILE.
Having learned these facts from Mr..
POrterfeld, the two young men were
hustled away, and Detective Carter was
sent to watch for the arrival of the other
principal in the affair OF honor. When
the afternoon train from the South pulled
into the depot there stepped of the car
with jaunty air man passed middle
age, but who still walked with a firm and
agile tread, and who by his man.
ner showed that he was as vigor-
ous and active as most men many
years his Junior. He was accompanied
by friend, and when Detective Carter
asked him if his name was Morton he
readily admitted it. When told that the
Chief of Police would like to interview
him he also looked a trifie foolish and
very much annoyed, but readily con-
sented to face the law as persontied by
Maj. Walker. The three walked over TO
headquarters, where Mr.. Morton regis
tered as w. Chase Morton, 30 years old,
and his friend as II. +. Daniels, who is a
well known Richmond politician.
THE FRIEND IN NEED.
These little preliminaries having been
disposed of, Carter and his guests wan
dered of in the direction of the Seventh
Precinct. Here MIR. Morton and Mr.. Dan
iels told the station keeper few facts
about their past career, admitted that
they could read and write, and We're duly
inscribed on the big blotter as beng
"wbite." Then they were taken to a cell
and locked up, separated only from the
other distinguished prisoners by a thin
partition.
Messrs. Morton and Daniels had only
been lett to their solitary reflections about
bait an hour, when Hon. George ID. Wise
drove up TO the station house, accom-
panied by Detective Carter. Morton and
Daniels got in the carriage and all four
drove to the Police Court, where Judge
Smell accepted Mr.. Wise's bond In the
sum of $1,000 for each man, and they were
once more free.
Towards evening Mr.. Selden, one OF the
proprietors of the Metropolitan Hotel,
arrived at the station house, also accom-
panied by tie ubiquitous detective, and
took Porterteld and Washington to Judge
smells house, where Mr.. Selden was ac-
copied as surety for them in the sum Of
s. 600.
The arrangements for the duel had been
conducted very quietly, and were i'll the
hands Of w. b. Butcher, Virginia poll
ncan, who has been in the city some
weeks past for that purpose. The parties
concerned in the matter are all prOmi-
nent in Virginia, and great efforts were
made to keep the matter from the press.
Senator Camden, OF West Virginia, will
relieve MIR. Selden from Potterteld and
NashingtOn's bond to-day, assuming the
responsibility of their keeping the peace.