Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-09-28


Authorities differ on the origin Of dueling.
Among the ancient Greeks and Romans dis
putes were frequently settled by personal en-
counters, but there are no records of any
meetings which resembled the more modern
duel, with its elaborate code of rules as to
challenges, seconds and SO forth.
Practically the first duel on record was to
vindicate the chastity of Gunhled, daughter
of Hardknut, and wife Of Henry III of Eng
land According to Blackstone, the first le-
gal mention of duels is to be found in the
laws of Gundebald, published in sol, and
preserved in the Burgundian code. The
''ordeal by battel" was to settle civil and per-
sonal disputes.
FIGHTING A WHOLE DAY.
On the day appointed, a piece of ground
sixty feet square was inclosed with lists and
on either side was set court for the Judges
of the common pleas, who were present in
their scarlet robes. The court sat at sun
rise the conlbatants were bound to fight till
the stars appeared in the evening. The cham
pions were dressed in a coat OF arnor, bare
legged from the knee. bareheaded and with
arms barred 20 the elbow. Their only weapons
were target or four cornered shield Of
leather and baton or stave OF an ell long.
Each swore two oaths, first rs to the right of
the issue and second against sorcery and en-
chaEtment.
Il have this day Mother eat, drank, nor
have upon me either bone, stone, ne gras,
nor any eEchantnent, sorcery or witchcraft,
whereby the law Of God may be abased, or
the law of the devil exalted"
Then they we're let loose to belabor each
other with their primitive and harmless
weapons until the stars appeared. And the
conditions Were such that if the tenants
champion maintained his ground and made
it a drawn battle, judgment was given for
him as being already in possession. On the
other hand, If either cOnbatant yielded he
became Infamous, and ceased to be "liber
ct legalis homo"
The ordeal could be refused by women,
priests, infants, or persons over sixty, or
lame, or blind; by peers of the realm on ac-
count of their dignity, and by citizens of
London by charter; and also in cases Of very
strong prima facia evidence.
In 1863 q duel WIS fought between Sir
George Wharton and Sir James Stuart, both
of whom were killed. During the last quar-
ter of the Seventeenth century dueling was
in full swing In England. In 1862 Mr.. latter
ward Lord Jermyn was severely wounded
in old Pail Mall by Col. Howard In 1867
Sir H Bellsss fought a close friend, and
Pepys, in recording the event, says: at is
pretty to see how the world talk of them as
a couple of fools that killed one another out
of love"
The most trivial circumstances led to duels.
Two doctors quarreled early in the century
as to v hich was the better physician. They
fought under the gate of Gresham college.
One slipped his foot and fell Take your
life, exclaimed the other. "Anything but
your physic," was the answer, and the mot
seems to have ended the dispute.
Among American statesmen duels were by
no means uncommon. In 1904 Aaron Burr,
vice president, killed the celebrated Alexan-
der Hamilton in duel. In 1896 Andrew
jackson, afterward president, killed Charles
Dickinson in a duel, and was himself danger
ously wounded IN 1926 Henry Clay, the
well known statesman, fought with John
Randolph. Clay had given his vote in favor
of Quincy Adams for the presidency, which
was denounced by Randolph coalition
OF Puritan with blackieg,n for which Ian
guage he was challenged by Clay. Two shots
having been exchanged without effect, the
duel was terminated 10y the seconds.
Even Sir Walter Scott was quite ready to
fight duel with Gen. Gourgaud on account
of some reflections he had made on that Off
Ger in his Life Of Napoleon" Writing TO
William Clark In 1927, asking him to be sec
ond in case he IS challenged, Scott says: IF
the quarrel should be thrust on me-why, |
viii balk him, Jackie. He shall not dishonor
the country through my sides, can assure
him"
'PISTOks AND COFFEE"
Duels in England were generally fought
with swords until the time when it ceased to
be fashionable to wear a sword with plain
clothes. Then pistols were generally used.
The French code of 1856 named fifteen PAGES
as the proper distance for contestants, but
Byron speaks of twelve yards, and this was
the usual English distance.
Another method was q volonte, when the
combatantS were placed at a distance of
thirty-flve to forty PAGES, and each allowed
TO advance TO one of two lines drawn at an
interval Of fifteen PAGES. Another was called
a hgne parellele, the combatantS advancing
along parallels traced at a distance of fifteen
PAGES. Occasionally other less orthodox
methods were observed, such as la barriere
in which the opponents were placed SO many
PAGES from a fixed line, to which they were
compelled to advance, each firing when he
chose Ii one of the parties fired and missed,
he was compelled 10 advance TO the barrier
and then receive his adversary's shot.
A story is told of duel of this kind, where
q Young officer was opposed 10y notorious
duelist, whom he missed. His opponent,
marching up TO the barrier, brutality said, Il
am sorry for your mother" and shot the
wretcbed youth through the brain.
In ireland, as may be expected, dueling
shrove But, paradoxical as it may seem,
Ireland had as much 10 do with the decay Of
dueling as with its rise Hot headed, sensi-
tive and rash, Irish gentlemen fought on
every prov. cation And the people, delight
ing in fight, and feeling that morbid pleas
ure in a death which is their characteristics
still, supported them with their presence.
and mace uatters easy for them in the jury
box Men Of the highest dignity and most
responsible position were ready TO eat fro or
taste steel.
Ridicule had great deal to do with the
abolition on duehng. The order of "Pistols
for two and coffee for one" was supplemented
by 8 message sent by Mrs. 0'Connen TO two
combatants: Mrs. O'Conneu presents her
compliments 10 the two gentlemen and hopes
the survivor viii come 70 supper" Such re-
marks were repeated and quoted until duel
lists earned more rsdicUle tran honor.
The practice dies slowly IL Europe In
France there are still duels, but they partake
largely Of q farcical nature, and the alleged
be.ngerants generally uake care that they
run no risks In Germany the practice q
Gaesing still continues and although fatal re-
suits are Guarded against and are very rare,
wounds are frequently inflicted. At the uni