Iuka reporter. (Iuka, Miss.) 1888-1894, 1890-08-21
FIGHTS FOR BLOOD
DUELING AMONG THE GERMAN
UNIVERSITY STUDENTS.
Amusement of the Young Colleg-
ians- Graphic Description of a
Duel at Heidelberg.

Amusement of the Young Colleg-
ians- Graphic Description of q
Duel at Heidelberg.
German student duels are almost every
day occurrences at Heidelberg or Jena,
and are the last lingering relic of the
tournaments, says Alex. E. Sweet in the
New York World. 1t is not often that
they are the outcome of personal ami
mostly. Between the various societies at
a German university there is always a
jealousy. In fact, some of them are
hereditary foes.
Not unfrequently does it happen that
every member of the Franconia, for in
stance, from the president down to the
youngest freshman, is pitted against a
corresponding number of the Saxonia,
and a whole day, in which twenty or more
duels are fought, is taken up in fighting
| it out In summer these tournaments
take place in the woods. / have wit
messed twenty three duels on bright
summer day in lovely spot near Baden
| Baden.
Street fights and brawls between the
members of the rival societies never
occur. A member of the Franconia never
raises wens on the Uranium of member
of the Saxonia, nor uses strong language,
no matter how supersaturated he may be
with beer. If a " Bursch of the Fran
COMA wants to try conclusions with a
"Bursch" of the Saxonia on the field of
battle he brushes lightly against his pro
posed adversary, wheAeupon the latter
remarks: Isle sind Elm hummer Junge"
(''You are stupid fellow'D. They ex-
change cards, and the challenged party's
second calls next day and arranges for
the fight
If either were to as much as raise his
cane to the other the offender would be
expelled from his own club another
| lingering CLEAN of the sunshine of the
chivalry Of the middle ages. Fisthghts,
cane PUSHES and hazing are simply incom-
| prchensible to the German student.
With these preliminary remarks | will
describe one of dozen duels which
wi5nessed one day on the Hirsch Gass
at Heidelberg
used on Sundays for dancing n,r,, nal.
Sitting at the table are thirty or Fort fort,
students, wearing their jaunty caps
smoking, drinking beer, and discussing
the coming tournament. Off to one side
is scdate-looking cid gentleman
threading some curved needles. On the
table is basin of water and large
sponge. This old gentleman is "tht
Doctor" Were it not for him many OF
the duels would result fatally, for 6
severed temporal artery would result in 6
funeral were it not for the presence and
skill of the doctor.
The two principals, assisted by theil
friends, are making their toilets at oppo
sit ends of the large ROOM This is nc
such simple affair as the uninitiated
reader may suppose. When the German
student fights duel he does not initiate
the ancient Briton, and, as preliminary
proceeding, remove all his clothing. HI
merely removes his coat and vest, and hi:
friends proceed to inclosc him in thick
well-padded leather garment, that pro
tects him from his chin to his knees. i
is divided at the lower end and strapped
around each leg separately, so that he
can walk little, but not gracefully.
The next step is to protect the neck.
II the neck were exposed, an occasional
severed jugular vein would soon cause
the duel to cease to be regarded as pas.
time. A thick, black silk bandage,
about twelve feet long, is bound around
his throat, partly covering his chin.
The duellist's right arm is next attend
ed to. In fighting most of the blows fall
on the right arm, A gauntlet, which il
not only padded but contains small
chain, is drawn on. The arm is alst
swathed in silk bandages, and no blow
no matter how powerful, can injure o
lame the fighting arm of the duelist.
A pair of wire goggles, without glasses
protects the eyes, and the fighter is nov
ready for the fray. His head is the onl,
vulnerable portion of his body.
The two combatants present trul,
ludicrous appearance. They are led GU
into the middle of the floor and tn
schlaegers are brought out. The schlaege
is light, thin bladed sword, with larg,
basket hilt. The last six inches of tn,
blade is as sharp as razor. The end O
the blade is not pointed but square, lik,
the broken off blade of a pocket knife
There is no thrusting allowed, and all tho
cutting is done with the last ten inches
of the blade.
A schlaeger is placed in the right hand
of each duelist, who rests his heavily
bandaged arm on the shoulder of friend.
The referee, note book in hand, takes a
position where he can see every blow.
The referee decides all disputes between
tl@ seconds and makes complete record
OF the fight, when it began, how many
wounds received by each duelist and the
nature of the cuts.
The second, also armed with the
schlacger. stands to the left of the prin-
cipal, and very close to him. The sec
ond plays an important role. Many a
dangerous blow is warded off by the skill
full second, who, however, must ALWAYS
give reason for calling the round.
In the duel which ] am describing the
combatants were members of two crack
societies, the Franconia and the Van
dalia.
The referee asks the combatants if thew
are ready. The seconds reply they are,
whereupon the referee looks at his watch.
and says in loud voice;
"Auf die Mensurl fcrtigl los!" That
is in position ready! begin!'
The blades are crossed, half q dozen
blows fall on the padded rioht arr, a,d