Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1888-04-06
CALLED OUT TO FIGHT A DUEL.
An Unpublished Romance in the Late Banker
Corcoran's Career.

Washington philanthrOplst, Mr.. W. W.
COrcOran, once in his life had been
challenged to a duel Strange as it
may seem, this inoffensive, prudent,
benevolent and wealthy banker was
called upon to fight with deadly wea-
pons according to the dueIing code.
While duels take place sometimes
between hOtspur politicians and those
in high public station, professional
men, or others who assume to be gen
tlemen, they are almost unknown
among the class of people engaged in
banking and large business transac-
lions to which Mr.. Corcoran belonged. |
But the challenger was of a different /
class. He was proud young SPaniard, !
holding an official position in this |
country for his government, who i'm !
agined he was bound to maintain the
dignity of his name, character and sta
ton by demanding satisfaction at the
point of the sword or mouth of the
pistol for having been roughly treated
and Inundated by Mr.. COrcoran.
This gentleman was Mr.. Murnaga,
the secretary of the Spanish legation In
Washington at the time Mr.. Tassara
was minister and while Mr.. Buchanan
was president of the United States.
The present Spanish minister at
Washington, Senior Don Emilio de
Murnaga, presumably Is the same
person, for he has in full the same
name.
In the circumstances which led to the
challenge and In subsequent events
hn
with the difficulty there Is a story as
interesting as a romance.
Mr.. COrcoran had a daughter, an
only child, who had Just reached the
age of wOmanhood. He being rich,
there was no heiress in the country
then, probably, with the prospect Of
inheriting a larger fortune than Miss
Corcoran. She had been brought up
with great care and had all the adj
vantages that wealth could bring to
young lady under rather strict, though
affectiOnate guardianship.
Being delicate, her father deemed 1t
prudent not to Overtax her with study !;
hence, while she was educated she was
not remarkable for accomplishments or
intellectual ability. She was, however,
a sensible, good, gentle and sweet
natured young woman.
Her father, in his great love for her,
appeared to be over carful and restrlc-
tive, so that she saw little society, eX-
cept such as he entertained at his resi-
dence, and her life, therefore, was too
much like that of a recluse. For the
benefit of her health she was accns-
toned to ride horseback along the
roads outside of the city, and whether
friends were with her or not, she was
attended by a groom.
Mr.. Murnaga, who was a good look
ing and an accomplished little fellow,
and always well dressed, used to ride
in the same direction as Miss COrcOran-
BY some means, whether IN regular
form or not. he became acquainted witt
her, and this acquaintance npened into
love in the young lady, at least, for she
admitted NLuInaga to stolen or secre
interviews which would hardly hav,
done had she not been fond of him.
Nor was it to be wondered at tina
one who had Just arrived at the age o
a woman, and who had been strict.
guarded, should fall in love upon &C
Quaintance with a captivating and i'm
passiOned gentleman but a few year
older than herself. He, too, NIGH
have been in love with her, but ther
was indueement enough for any heires
hunting foreigner to court her in tn
fact that she was the only child of
wealthy man.
Miss Corcoran evidently was afrai
to let her father know she had love-
particularly as the gentleman was
foreigner and held no higher positio
than that of a secretary of legation
The residence of the Spanish minister
where Mr.. MuTnaga lived, was on
street near that of Mr.. COrcoran, anC
therefore convenient for the lovers
meet when the way was clear.
When Mr.. CorcOran was supposed 1
be safely away from home, Miss Co
caran received Mr.. AIurnaga IN h,
drawing room or parlor. How ofte
these stolen meetings were repeated
not known. At last Mr.. COrcOrl
heard of them and determined at on,
to break the acquaintanceship Of II
daughter with the Spaniard.
One of the most prominent publ
men IN the country at that time W
Jesse Bright, United States senat
from Indiana. and he was a particul
friend of Mr. COrcoran. To hil
therefore, the angry banker went
advise Having n trusty infOrmer,
plan was devised to pOunce upon t
unsuspecting lovers at the time t
Spanish secretary might be IN t
house of Mr.. COrcOran-
The opportunity soon came and N
Corcoran, accompanied by Senat
Bright returned home unexpected
In terror Miss Corcoran urged Nj
anga to hide himself under the plaI
But her father knew he was in t
house, and, after searching f
minutes. dragged him from his hidi
DIace and hustled him out of the HOT
In a rough manner.
rN1,Tg ,,-ac br1r7af LATINO of pOU1Sa. II