Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1886-01-12
STUDENTS. puELs.
Disgracefui Battles Seen BY an English
man at q German University Town.

Disgraceful Battles Seen BY an English-
man at German University Town.
Having received an invitation TO be
present at series of duels about 10 be
fought one afternoon In July at Wurz-
burg. l arove with my friend, student
OF former days. distance Of about
three miles from the city, when we
allghted and the facre was discharged.
Although such meetings were an open
secret. all concerned used their best en-
deavors to throw the police off the
scent. We walked along the high road
for about half mile, and then struck
into a thickish wood, proceeded some
six hundred or seven hundred yards,
passed. one OF the many student senti-
nels posted at certain distances ON van
tago ground, and one hundred yards be-
yond the Cedette we came to q clear lev
ell space well sheltered from the heat Of
the sun-it was now 2:30 p. m.-by the
tall overhanging trees In full leaf, where
a number Of young men were assem-
bled l. was here introduced to the
senior student, man OF mature years,
who. after telling mo that he had
fought ninety-four duels, explained the
nature OF the proceedings about 10 take
place. which he was TO direct, assisted
by certain umpires. l was the only
stranger present On the ground were
two small casks of beer. third con-
tanning water, diminutive camp table
upon which were spread numerous
bandages, some lint plasters, and sun
dry medicaments, and camp stool.
The students shook hands with each
other in a friendly way, smoked their
pipes. and conversed in an undertone
until muster roll was called, to which
twenty-four replied.
The business of the meeting then
commenced. The names of two stu.
dents OF different universities being
called, they prepared for combat by re-
moving their hats, coats, waistcoats,
collars and ties. and protecting their
necks, breasts, arms and thighs with
stout pads. and their eyes with stout
metal epectacles, which also cover the
temples, their heads and faces being
otherwise wholly exposed. Having
shaken hands, the combatants set to
slashing at each other with all the skill
Of which they were masters, the seconds
promptly interfering at the smallest OK:
hibition OF temper or passion. The
surgeon in attendance had no easy
berth, blood gushing forth on both
sides, three, four, five times, until one
or the other gave in.
The antagonists seemed fairly
matched, except in one encounter,
when a lad of sixteen or seventeen
years, novice, was pitted against o
man of double his age. The boys
blood flowed freely, his face and head
being hacked until both were complete
ly covered with bandages, he mean
while refusing to lower his sword. until
It at last fairly dropped out Of his hand
He was then led OFF and seated on the
grass, when he Immediately called for
his pipe. "That YOUTH" whispered
my friend. "will be in state Of high
fever tonight; he will have to keep his
bed for the next three or four weeks,
and he may even succumb TO the effects
Of his wounds" This CHANGED to be
the third encounter. and l turned away
sick at heart and would have taken my
leave but l was asked not 10 go until
the end.
Thus were fought twelve duels. l.
hurried away SO soon as / obtained
permission. and my friend and I re-
turned TO town on foot having kept
the wood the greater part Of the way.
There was no bantering or chatting
during the proceedings which were
conducted in most orderly manner,
beer being literally passed to those
who asked for il, some of whom, 1t
struck me, must have been uncommon
ly thirsty.
One feature is worth special mention.
Like most young men, many students
were accompanied by their dogs, and
before any swords were crossed these
animals were firmly chained to the
smaller trees around. Upon inquiring
the reason, l was told that instances OF
the nose of combatant being sliced
off were sufficiently frequent to neces-
state such precaution, for that men,
Der Of the face had sometimes disap-
peared when dogs were lose, and
this 10 the permanent Disagreement
Of the wounded man; whereas, If the
nasal organ were instantly picked up.
1t was restored to Its place BY the sur
geon. The swords used wero of the
length Of an ordinary foil. the blades
being narrow, flexible and keen.edged
Now, the strangest part Of the story
Is this, that these sickenng fights were
not tho consequence Of any bona fide
insult offered BY one university to the
other. When students were dull and
diversion was needed, student would
60 up to the student Of some other uni
versity and call him SchafSkopE or
say INA. Da bist ein dumn,er Junger'
This was at once resented by the mettle
and skill OF each university being put to
test by recourse to the baneful encount-
ers | have described. The same night
Iattended at Kneipe or becr-housc.
where some fifty or sixty youths sat at
o long table, with huge Schopien in
front Of them filed with beer. In the
chair was the senior student, but none
of those who had been engaged were
present. l sat from nine to eleven
listening to some very pretty and in.
spring songs, sung in chorus, the ra-
pidity with which the Schopfen were
emptied and refilled being inconceiy.
able -CdDiaip j. B. Teller r. NJ, in