The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1889-10-24
A GEORGIA DUEL.
The Negroes but Little Better than Some OF the
Whitpg

Whites.
Will Gober and Mai. Hill, two stalwsrt rivals
belonging to colored society in Homer, Ga,
became enraged ut each other in the heat OF
debate on Saturday night. A measure of great
Importance was being considered, and Gober
dropped his under lip, and, in a threatening
and insolent manner, began calling Hill names,
among the rest the astounding epithet OF q
thieving undermining sc0undrel." Thereupon
Hill demanded q retracton. Gober held his
position, reasserting the charge, and soon sides
were TAKEN and the society broke up in row.
Leading darkoys interfered and succeeded In
getting Hill off home
On Sunday morning, before sunrise, Hill had
chosen his best man, and sent challenge to
Gober In the following polite languages:
Hon SHOALS GA, Sept So
WILL GoBER: Last nito you insulted me, like no
niger cher done befo'. In dis matter my honah ~
MT stake, sab, and demand the satisfaction OF n
gentleman. Meet me at the Oyster Rock on de
ribbcr In de mornin' at o'clock sharp. Bring all
de weapns yous got, Of YOU don't keep your
eye skinned I'll cut your libber into minks meet
Dis will be handed you by Henry Streety, and you
can send your nnser back by him or somebody else
I'll be dar. MAJ. Hill"
Gober had fallen into n Sunday morning
snooze, and was still asleep when Streety ar
rived with the bloodthirsty message. He sent
six miles up the river for Jake Anderson, his
best friend and the answer was delayed until
Q o'clock, when Maj Hill received the follow
ing:
FLAT CREEK, Sept g.
MAJ. HILL: Your letter was handed to me by
dat good -for-nothing loafcr, Henry Streety, dis
morning, and I'll DIES say dat dis niger don't swal-
Ter de tngs what his tongue lops out, an l'll be
dar at dot Oyster Rock. dun toll Jake Anderson
10 say to you III do justice TO de casion, honah
no honnh. III be dar time yous reddy, and don't
you forget I'm commin. WILL GoBER
The news flew on the wings of the wind. A
party of whites caught on TO the duel and at
fnr .fn1 IN II tcnn fho hnll
darkeys skipped out and arranged to meet on
an island five miles up the river. Twelve PAGES
were measured of. and the combatants faced
each other with swamp angels " in hand. The
arrangement was TO fire after counting one,
two. three. About 90 darkeys surrounded
them, including physicians, reporters and sport
ing men, and some of them tried to effect
settlement, but the combatants were bent on
having gore The seconds were also armed to
the teeth and anxious for the fray. Henry
Streety gave the word one, two-when the
Major spoke:
4" Hold on, dar."
Jake Anderson drew his pistol and cooked It,
Hill went on:
"See here. dis niger alus been a perceable
darkey and lubs de law. hates to do a thing
like o. dis, but Will Gober, IL you don't take
back what you said Sadday night, den dis
niger gwine TO stick TO dis thing frou thick
aud thin, an hab his bonah back or die in dc
tempt"
Gober cried out "Gen'lmen, he's broke do
rule. and rs gwine to-" But just at this crisis
Streety sprang out with a revolver presented,
and cried out:
Dc fust man what moves I'll shoot him"
The positions were resumed again. and then
came the words: Zone, two" and at number
two Hill backed aud whrled, believing ut tho
top of his voice, Don't shoot" and was soon
splashing about in the river and on the other
side. leaping mt break neck speed down tho
river, leaving the sporting men aud the vic
torious dueiists in their glory. One shot was
fired by Gober just over Hills head, cutting
some of the leaves OF the trees. Hill was seen
last near the Curryhee last night still hurryiug
along, and Gober is on the lookout for the
Sheriff. All enjoyed the last Georgia duel
hugely.
There Is marked difference in niger and
human nature" said one OF the party. Another
said: "Didn't dat niger run do wen he got
turn 'roun'1