Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1890-10-01
From Lexington Gazette. September 26th.l
AN UNFORTUNATE AFFAIR.

| From Lexington Gazette. September 26th.l
AN UNFORTUNATE AFFAIR.
Mr.. McConnico, of Texas, and Mr.. Tall
aferro, of Virginia, 4th Glass Cadets of the
Virginia Military Institute became engaged
in an alteration at the V. NJ. l. Sept. 25th.
1t seems that il is the rule at the Institute
chat one member in each room shall make
a report of the room to the officer Of the
day. Mr.. Taliaferro said that he would
make the report: when Mr.. McConnico said
he intended to report the room himself
One word brought on another. and they re-
paired to the Cadet Society Hall to settle
their differences by fist fight with the TO-
lowing seconds: Messrs. Freeland and
Blackford, and several spectators.
Ca reaching the Hall they were placed in
position by their seconds and the fight
commenced. After several rounds the
parties said that they we're satisfied; neither
of them seemingly beiag much worsted,
they went back to their room. On reach
ing his room, Mr.. Taliaferro was asked by
another of his room mates how he felt.
His reply was, 81 feel all right" In a
short while he laid down on his bed and
complained OF his jaws hurting him, saying
that he could cot close them. He went off
into doze, aud his room mate noticed that
he was breathing heavily, ard tried to
arouse him, but was unable to do so. 9th
er parties were called in for consultation,
and the Surgeon of the Institute, DR.. John
A. Graham, was ssut for, but before he ar
rived, the young man had breathed his
last.
DR.. Graham said that death was caused
by the breaking of blood vessel located
near the brain, as near as he could Judge
without holding Post mortem examina-
ton.
General Ship procured carriage and
brought MIR. McConnico to Mayor Haugha-
won't, who bailed him to appear for trial on
the morning of September goth.
The Coroner, Mr.. G. M. bold, had the
following gentleman summoned ss Jury,
and repaired to the Institute, where the
inquest was held on the morning of the
26th: Messrs. W. G. Stuart, B. H. Gorrell,
G.. B. Larrick. E. A. Quisenberry, E. j.
Leyburn and II. 81. Myers.
An Inquisition taken at the Hospital of
the V. III. l., county of Rock bridge, Va
the 10Th day of September, 1890, before G,
M. Dold, Coroner of said county upon view
of the body of W. T. Taliaferro there lying
dead.
John Freeland, 1st witness sworn, de.
posing, said. First heard of this affair was,
that Cadet Blackford came to my room and
said, Freeland would you like to keep time
for fight between two Rats. I said yes,
yes; he said, all right, be ready at dinner
tomorrow. thought nothing more of it
until today (day of fighD when he told me
to be sure to be on time. went to Cadet
Society hall five minutes past 1 O'Clock, P.
III. We always hold our fights in Cadet
Society Hall. McConnico was already
there. TaliaferrO came in few mi autes,
and as soon as they were ready I called
time. They had agreed to fight one min
ute and rest two minutes.
The fight was commenced and carried on
lat like any other fight. McConnico SEEM
ed to have the best of it, with the excep-
ton of one or two rounds. At my instiga-
tion and some one else at the end of the
fight, McConnico went over and shook hands
with Taliaferro, saying, l admire your
pluck. Taliaferro said, and yours. They
shook hands and each walked to his room.
That was all saw of either until heard |
of Taliaferro's death. Between 10 and IA |
rounds were fought. McConnico was dress
ed in Tennis shoes, Gymnasium shirt, pauts |
On. Tal;aferro was in his stocking feet;
had on pants, no shirt.
ooSOAuo rdihCu Will ldildicrTO W Ills
room; McConnico was little the heaviest
man. I did not want to stop the fight. I /
saw no blow struck with any weapon, only
the fist used. Signed John T. Freeland.
Cadets T. A. Blackford, W. II. Taylor,
B. P. Lee, and E. B. Cunningham also
testified, but their testimony does not piffer
from Cadet Freeland.
DR.. John A. Graham testified: first saw
Mr.. Taliaferro twenty minutes past three
o'clock the day of the fight found him ly-
ng in barricks dead said to have been dead
i've or ten minutes. made some efforts
1t resuscitation, and kept up artificial res.
piration for about an hour. Soon after that
had him removed to the hospital Sept. &c.
1890 at s a. m.seventeen hours after death;
with DR.. Estill made an autopsy. Found
of the eyelids, cheeks, lips scalp,
Ind an abrasion on the right and left
shoulder, over the scspula; no blows on the
body. Muscular confusion on right hand;
opened the skull, found the scalp confused
IN right and lafs side, on top and behind.
ia opening the skull about pint Of blood
an cut; found the membrane congested;
membrane, found clot of blood,
.oout two ountes, brain discolored, sub
Itance Of brain normal; 10 fracture. Chest
a confusion on outside, heart
lungs dark and congested; alb
lomen opened, organs healthy, cause of
leath, apoplexy. The clot of blood was
lear the medium line to the left, near the
;op of the brain. JNo. A. GRAHAM.