Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1890-12-17
CONSERVATION OF GORE.
How a Duel Between Col. Pat DOMAIN and
Col. Nesbitt Was Averted.


City Landmark, and Col. Pat DOMAIN. of
Lexington, which did not occur some
fifteen years ago, was an event in Mis-
souri, journalism. How it came about
is a matter OF history, and yet no au-
thentic record has been kept.
About ten years after the close of the
war, and before the present period Of
tranquility. Col. {. j. NeSbitt and
Major Tom Parke, at present filling Il
responsible position in the Office OF the
Secretary of State, were jointly editing
and publishing the LGndmdrk. Col.
NeSbitt was preparing the editorial mat
ter-and ably he performed this duty
while Major Parke devoted his eXecu-
tive ability 10 the business department,
looking after the money and swearing 10
the circulation.
In the course OF his editorial duties
Col. NeSbitt, metaphOrically, OF course,
skinned" Col. Pat DOnan and hung a
large-Sized portion of his epidermis on
the fence in front of the LGpdmdrk Of
fee. where it Haunted in the breeze.
Nothing was heard from Col. DOMAIN for
some time after the publication OF the
article, and Col. NeSbitt was looking
around him for more foes TO vanQuiSh,
when one eyentful day Platte City was
thrown into perfect fit of excitement
by the receipt of 4 telegram from Lex
ington, addressed TO no one in particu-
lar, but Sanguinary and blOOdthirSty in
its tone to the highest degree. IL read
about this way:
"Col. Pat DOMAIN and Col. Blank have
Just left here for Platte City. They are
armed with WincheStcrS, and 20 fol
/ Col. Nesbitt. When they arrive Ia
Platte City blood will flow
| As may be expected, the whole town
was at once aroused. And this was in
tensifed a half hour later by another
telegram from a station between Lex
lington and Platte City stating that Col
Pat DOMAIN and Col. Blank had jus
passed there en- route to Platte City.
few minutes later telegram OF simila
import was received from another sta
tiOn between the two towns. From TIL
time Platte City was hotbed OF excite
ment. kilograms were constantly pour
ing in announcing the near approach o
lCol. DOMAIN and Col. Black wrapped al
in their mission OF blood. The Wiuches
terS were mentioned in every dispatch
and Platte City, under the excitement
took on the aspect of war times. A!
they got nearer and nearer, Il!
announced by the frequent tele
grams, the banks closed their doors
business houses practically suspended
and little groups of excited citizens
/ i L.. 1feanseip
the probable outcome. Wagers were
freely offered that the Landmark woulC
come out on top whatever turn matters
took. and in this frame Of mind the ex
cited populace waited for other tele
grams or the arrival of the blood drink
erS.
Meantime consultation between man
aging editor and business manager wa
being held in the Landmark office. Col
Nesbitt was a man of nerve, and not
easily rufilcd by any ordinary invasion
OF his editorial sanctum by an angry
public. but in the present instance he
was at a loss whether TO temporize Till
the storm had blown over, or to look the
cyclone squarely I'm the eye and make II
quail. He appealed to Major Parke.
..Tom," said he, what shall we do?"
Doe" answered the warlike business
manager, why, fight, of COURSE"
But" appealed the editor, lin this
instance ii may be best to smile into
the barrels of the WinchesterS and look
amiable."
mo" replied the business manager,
''you must fight DOMAIN, or fight me"
Il fight DOnan, them" said Col. Mes
bitt. "You make the arrangements
and I'll fight"
Thus the matter was settled. Col
Nesbitt retired to the editorial sanctum
while Major Parke calmly awaited de-
velopmentS in the business office. Mean
while the tOwnSpeople were growing
more and more excited. Col. Donar
and Col Blank We're approaching
Finally telegram was received from
the railroad junction, just four mile:
away. They had just left there. The
WincheSterS were still with them. They
were as bloodthirSty as when the fight
despatch was sent. The hearts of the
citizens topped and Gip-ilapped in uni
son like the heavy movements OF 1
steam churn daSher. Everything wa:
a; the highest excitement. The two
seekers of gore soon reached the town
and put up at Hunts Hotel. One could
have heard dewdrop on the streets.
Col. Blank soon left the hotel anc
made direct for the Landmark office
There he encountered Major Parke.
"Is this Col. NeSbitt?" inquired he.
NO. sir; are you Col Pat DOMAIN
counter-questioned Major Parke.
"A friend, sir was the naughty re
ply, who bears cartol to Col. Mes
bitt."
LET her flicker" said the Major
AS fighting editor of this paper, | an
authorized TO make the arrangement:
for Col. NeSbitt.s
After reading the defiance from Col
Donan. Major Parke informed the Colo
mel that his principal wanted to hight,
had been aching for a fight for moons,
and now that the opportunity was offered
him. nothing could satisfy his longing
desire for gore but red hearts blood.
s.As we are the challenged party, said
the Major. solemnly, Eve choose WIN
chesters at ten feet, ten yards or ten
miles. As business has been suspended
pending the settlement of this little al
fair. we desire to lose no time. Col. DO
mans obituary is now in type, and | as.
sure you we have spoken well OF nm.
This was 4 turn that neither Col. DO
nan nor Col. Blank had foreshadowed'
They had been playing a game OF bluff'
and now that the time had come TO Sho"
their hands. they weakened.
Col. Blank consulted with his prlncl
pal, and again visited the Landmark OF
fee. Col. Donan, he said, would accept
written apology from Col. Nesbitt.
But Major Tom Parke, an enthusiast
Nover the game of bluff, held his hand