The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1891-05-14
Desperate Duel at Roanoke.

1 - -
A dispatch from Roanoke, Va, date
I the Goth OF April, gives the following a,
count of desperate duel to the deaf
between two we'll known sporting mer
Mr.. Charles L. Ross, of Washington
was shot and killed at o'clock this ey
ening by Nick Flood, of Lynchburg, a
Marshall's cafe, leading European ho
tel of this city. The two men had
quarrel some time ago, and were pre-
vented from enacting the same TRACED,
by the interference of the police. G. L
Ross and friend, Lou Sanger. started
from Rice's billiard parlor few minute
to six O'Clock, passing down Campbell
thence to corner of Salem avenue. Some
one told Ross he had better not 90 dowr
to Marshall's as Nick Flood would xii
him. He replied he would 60 ANYHOW
even II he were killed.
Both men proceeded along together
and entered the front doorway. Ross
and Sanger both sat down in the win.
dow. They talked about five minutes
then Ross went through the folding
doors into the bar room. Nick Flood,
who boards at Marahall's, had just come
down stairs, and asked the barkeeper
to mix him drink of lemon and settler,
and Cole mixed the drink and placed it
on the counter, and turned through the
opening to the cigar counter in front of
the building. Just then Ross emerged
through the doors. Then were some
words passed, in which John Hunter in
terfered.
Quick as flash Flood drew his pistol
and fired directly at Ross. The latter
also drew his revolver and for few Sec
onds pandemonium reigned. Ross fell
to the floor, but in the meantime Flood
had emptied his pistol in his face and
breast.
While laying prone on his back he
raised his hand and fred two more shots
at Flood, who reiterated out by the front
way. Just as he stepped out on the
street he dropped his revolver on the
pavement and ran across Salem avenue
to Q barber shop just opposite. The
BARRIERS escaped out the back way at his
approach, but one came back when Flood
called for some water and got 1t for him
Instead of washing himself he went out
side the shop and sat down on a goods
box. One barber heard him say as he
came in that he had fixed his man.
Officers Schanck and Brown were at
Jefferson street and ran down to Mar
shall's when they heard the shooting.
officer Brown arrested Flood and took
him up to his room over the cafe.
Dr. Fry and two other physicians were
summoned, and in a few minutes DIR,
Norman came. Two balls had struck
Flood. One in the right breast bad
ranged upward. The other struck the
chin just below the left lower lip and
ranged around the jaw-bone, where it
lodged in the muscles of the neck. Ross
expired in few minutes after he was
shot.
A great crowd collected on Salem ave.
nue., and tried to force their way into the
building. Chief Morris was soon on hand
and guarded the entrance. All the way
across Salem avenue the immense crowd
blocked the street.
Ross was fine looking fellow and was
in perfect health. He was dressed in a
light spring suit and lay on the floor with
his arm extended off from his body and
his left near his side. A great pool of
blood had gushed out from several pools
about his neck and mouth. His eyes
were wide open, fixed with a CLASSY stare
on the ceiling. From his mouth oozed
a continual stream of blood His cane
was in his right hand. He had used his
pistol with the left.
A cOronor's jury was Immediately sum-
moned and q number of witnesses exam
ined, after which they adjourned to meet
tomorrow. Flood is resting easily at a
late hour tonight and will probably re-
kilograms were sent to Washington
for some relatives of Ross, but no an
swers have yet been-received.
Flood is the son of Maj. J. H. Flood.
prominent tobacconist living in Lynch
burg.
Ross kept gambling den and 300
was found on his person.