Daily Yellowstone journal., 1889-05-30
A MIDNIGHT DUEL.
On Top OF the Blue Ridse-A Romantis
Story Of the Late War.

WI hop 'O Gstu htubt-h ttthfauth8
story Of the Late War.
There is no doubt that many singu-
lar things occur as we journey
through life, and he looked as though
memory was struggling with some
sad feature of his existence. He sigh
e. as lac continued ! remember as
though II were yesterday the march
OF Hills corps along the winding
Shenandoah up 10 the famous Luray
gap, Who could ever forget that
marchi The road winding with the
beautiful river. and overbung with a
majestic chain of Blue Ridge noun
lains, while acros the crystal water
the magnificent valley. with its
charming cottages dotting the bounte-
GUS land with white like balls of snow
roped M flowers. But the most en-
gaglng and lovely objects paled into
insignilicance beside the peerless wo-
e oi tins blessed country, and you
may well believe that when the camp
was struck the soldiers lost no time IN
making their way 10 the surrounding
cottages. Soon the music of the vior
lin was heard and shutting feet kept
time 10 the music, whh!a. fSr-a uhie,
the soidiers face was Iii with old time
JOY. Al one OF these cottages the belle
Of the valley reigned supreme, while
several southern soldlers wed with
each other in paying homage TO the
queen. Among others were two
young soldiers-Qpe from Georgia and
the other from Mississippi WHO were
specially energetic in their attentions,
aud SO marked had tins become that
those present watched the play with
constantly increasing interest. fully
believing that both exhibited IA case OF
love at first sight This surnlise on
the part Of those present vas only too
true, as The tragic event which follow
ed fully proved. The Georgian seemed
To have the lead on the MisslsSippian,
and when the dancers were called TO
take their places, he led the belle Of
the valley 10 a place in the set Al
this point the Mississippiap vas seen
e approach the couple aud heard 10
claim the lady's hand for the dance.
An alteration ensued, but both were
cool, brave soldiers-two Of the best
shots in thearmy- whodid not believe
in a war Of words. So ii was ended by
the Georgian dancing with the ladyand
the significant remark OF the Missis-
sippian, Il will see you after this SET"
When the dance was over the Geor-
glan was seen TO seek the Mississip-
plan, and together they called each a
friend from the crowd and departed.
When outside both claimed that an
insult had been passed which could
only be wiped out in the blood Of the
other, and that a duel 10 the death
should be arranged at once. A full
moon was just appearing above the
tops of the surrounding forest. and |
tell you this talk of blood in the ST.
lence of the night was anything but
pleasant No argument, however,
would avail with these men, SO il was
arranged that the duel should take
place on top of Blue Ridge, neal
the center Of the road that passes
through the gap; that the weapons
should be pistols at fifteen PAGES, and
10 fire at or between the words, lone,
two, three" firing 10 continue until
one or both were dead.
The point was reached, the ground
measured off, and the men took their
positions without a tremor. The moon
shed its pale light on a scene never TO
be forgotten. A moment or two, and
the silence was broken by the signal:
Zone, two, three" AT the word zone"
the report of two pistols rang out on
the midnight air, but the principals
maintained their respective positions.
The Georgian's left arm was seen. 10
drop closer to his side, but the Mis-.
was immovable, and still
held his pistol TO the front. Again a
pistol shot was heard, coming from
the Georgian, and the MissisSippian
still held his position, but did not fire.
The Georgian protested that he had
not come there TO murder him, but
no answer was returned. The Mis-.
second approached his prin-
cipal and found him dead, shot
the eye on the first discharge
Of the weapon. Death. il seems, had
been instantaneous, so much SO as not
even to disturo his equilibrium. may
some things, but the midnight
duel on the top of a spur Of the Blue
with its attendant circum.
is not one Of them. Detroit