Rock Island daily Argus., 1888-09-17
Suicide By Contract.
Explanation of a Recent Trag-
b. edy at Chicago.
A DUEL ON THE AMERICAN PLAN"

The Outcome of Challenge In Hungary
Three Years Ago Is Three Pistol Shots
on the Lake Shore and Q Corpse-A
Young Hungarian Who Kept His Word
and Laid Down His Life to Keep His
Honor Irreproachabie.
CHICAGO, Sept i7-Last week a young
man, formerly of Omaha, named Gers Baro-
thy, committed suicid> on the shores of the
lake here by shooting himself with pistol
The newspapers worked up the case and con-
cluded that the cause Of the shooting was the
young mans hopeless love for Mrs. Sher
wood A telegram from Omaha, however,
says that among those who read of the
young mans untimely taking off were his
two brothers living in Nebraska. The tele-
gram then proceeds:
@The brothers came to town Friday. At
the postoffice one of them received a letter
with deep, black border, dated at Chicago
on the eth 1t was from Gers, and told
strange story Young Barothy was Hun
garian. Three years ago on the 18th of this
month he was mortally offended by an
lenged the soldier. The challenge
was accepted, with the usual priv
ilege OF selecting the weapons or the
means to be used of satisfying the honor of
both parties In Hungary there are three
methods allowable in such events-the sword,
the pistol, or what is termed the "American
plan" This consists in each party drawing
one of two balls, white or black. The man
VINO draws the black ball is bound to dispose
Of himself either by shooting, hanging,
drowning, or any other manner which may
be decided upon by the challenged party be-
fore the balls are drawn. Barothy drew the
black, or unlucky ball. 1t had been agreed
that the drawer of the unlucky one should
kill himself by shooting on the third ami
versary of the duel The anniversary took
place last Wednesday.
That night Gers walked to the shore OF
Lake Michigan, in Chicago, and in remem-
brance of his word Of honor, sent three bull
lets into his body and died. For three years
the fate that rested in his own hands seemed
to have cast shadow over his life which
was dispelled only when in the company of
genial companions Aud yet not a mortal
knew of the cause of his despondency save
his adversary and the seconds in the duel
"On the day of his death Gers bought a
| DoN OF mourning stationery containing
twelve envelopes and sheets OF paper. Fri
day the box was forwarded to the brother at
West Point In it were only four sheets and
envelopes. The others had been used in mott
| flying his brothers, his adversary, and the sec
onds in his duel, of the approach of his
death. With those envelopes came all the
photographs he had been given by his
brothers and those by Henry Pundit, of this
city, one of which was that of the latter's
little daughter, whom Gers greatly admired
He stated that he did not fear to die, and
that he did not want his brothers to doubt
him, because he died in defense of his honor
and his word
"One OF the brothers said that Mrs. Sher
wood had in no manner Influenced hi.
brothers suicide, and the reason he had moi
returned her photograph was lest the act
would lead to suspicion that something
was wrong, and that he might be sought ant
prevented from accomplishing the act which
he thought preserved the honor of himself
and family"