The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-07-17
A DUEL PROBABLY AVERTED.
]. Preston Carson and 4. Bierne Blair
Arrested Wednesday.
THE CASE BEFORE THE POLICE COURT.
Justice Crutchfield Heard the Evidence Yes
terday, and Placed Each Under Bond
For One Thousand Dollars.

Q Mr.. j. Preston Carson sent his friend. Mr.
: Waller Morton, to the WestmOreland Club Il
@ request satisfaction from Mr.. A. Beirne Blai
| for remarks which he alleged had been made
t by Mr. Blair rejecting upon his courage
Sergeant r. j. Brooks, upon nformator
| given by some one who was cognizant of the
i state of affairs swore ont warrants for the
arrest Of Messrs. Carson and Blair, and they
wero arraigned in the Police Court yesterday
morning charged with being about to engage
in breach of the peace against the dignity
ofthe Commonwealth.
Mr.. Blair was represented by his counsel.
Messrs. j. Randolph Tucker. K. Carter Scott
and John rutherford. Mr. Carson was
served IN this capacity by Mr.. 8. ). p. Pat
teson. Both of the gentlemen were accom-
panied by number of friends. and Messrs
Adolphus Blair, Junius A. Morris, Lynwood
Antrim, DR.. Mcclure, Waller Morton, w H.
Allison, and George a. Gibson, were all
within the rail.
Both OF the young mon are thoroughly we'll
known IN the society of Richmond. and the
appearance OF the party i'm court was rare
diversion TO the Justice. the officers and the
habltues who are accustomed almost exclu-
slyely TO listen 90 the faults falings and
fraties of the cOOred race
The first witnesses called were Mr. Bynwood
| Antrim and Dr. Mcclure. Their testimony
| was largely directed to show that there was
not any intention TO commit breach Of the
peace-at least upon the part of Mr. Blair
| and 1t was evident that the primary cause Of
The rupture was being skllfully avoided by
the able attorneys.
TIE NARRATIVE.
Slowly. however. the unwinding of the mar
ratlye begun. and finally by the advice OF
counsel the principals in turn took the stand
! and gave their versions OF the story.
Mr.. LynwoOd Antrim rected the facts sub
stantlally as follows On July 3D.. he. Mr..
Blair and Mr.. Carson being at Old Point
went IN bathing together. The tide was run
ming very strong. but all of the party began
swimming TO a raft or float some dis
lance out and directly against the
tlde. He was Orwell. and should not have
ventured the bath. When he was nearing
the ratt. although still some little distance
from 1t; he found his strength failing. and. !
seeing MT. Blair upon the raft. called % him |
for assistance. MIR Blair Immediately |
swan to his rescue, and placing his |
hands upon Mr.. Blairs shoulders. |
they began the tedious journey. When with |
IN about ten yards Of the raft they became |
exhausted. aud seeing Mr. Carson upon the
hoat. they called TO him 10 come 10 their AS
siStsnce. He replied that he was too tired and
could not come. They then asked him to request
one or two other gentlemen upon the raft to
come to them but did not know whether Mr..
Carson did 80 or not. One Of the men, how
ever. came TO their help When nearer the
raft they again called 10 Mr.. Carson to stretch
ont his feet 10 them which he did. and as
aisted them upon the raft Mr.. Antrim said
he then rested upon the raft. and when suff-
GENTLY recovered. he swan TO the beach and
left the water. Mr.. Carson was not upon the
raft when he first called to Mr. Blair for
hslp.
Mr.. Blair testified to practically the same
effect, adding, however, that they both !
thought that Dir. Carson had acted badly, but
as they were all of the same community they
resolved not to mention the matter. day or
two afterward he learned that Nr. Carson was
accredited with having rendered Mr.. Antrim
noble aid in his peril and that he reported this
10 Mr.. Antrim. who then determined 10 tell
the story as above related.
CONSIDERED HIM cowARDLY.
Mr.. Blair said that he told Mr.. Carson at :
the time that he considered his conduct cow
ardly: and that he was still of that opinion.
and that Mr.. Carson came to his Office a few
which were afoat concerning the matter; that
ne again expressed his opinion as 10 the COW
lrdlce OF the conduct, and that Mr. Carson
IMPLY asked for glass of water. and left his
,tfice without resenting his language
Mr.. Carson testified that after he reached i
he raft after swim against the strong flood
lde he was exceedingly tired and when n
'alled upon by Mr.. Blair who was then
within ten feet Of the raft. he was too much -,
TO render assistance in the water. u
,ut that he summoned the aid of b
he other gentlemen upon the raft and re- n
aiming his hold upon the float, extended his .
eet for their assistance and helped them h
pom the raft, OF
He did not understand or believe that Mr.. tc
ntrim was in any danger, and afterward pl
ave the matter but little thought, as Incl u
dents of a similar character were daily oc- OF
urrences at the seaside resorts. Pl
TREATED coURTEoUsLY. ~
He said that during the remainder of their N
ay at Old Point he was treated in courteous &c
tanner by both Messrs. Blair and Antrim h,
nd heard nothing of the ruInors or be
'ports which were said 10 be current an
their hotel. Upon his return to Richmond eli
Q was surprised to learn Of the reports at nj
ibuted TO Mr.. Blair rejecting upon his con er
lct and that he went at once 10 Mr. Blairs In
lice. and was received in the same manner hu
which he had always been received The ru- VI,
ors continued TO come to him. and he sought an
ind some one who had personally heard Mr. ia
lair make the uncOmplimentarv remarks liz
nally Mr.. Waller Morton came 10 him and m
Id him that he had heard Mr. Blair make the wa
atements VIII ch We're attributed TO him He
en- requested Mr.. Morton 10 90 10 Mr.. Blair co
d tell him that the statements were false fol
d that he desired satisfaction. This Mr.. CO.
orion did, and received q reply from Mr. in
air TO the effect that he had laid the matter DO
fore bis friends and that acting under their
vice he should have no communication an
latever With Mr.. Carson. ab
To the facts Of the result of Mr.. Morton's
eryiew Mr.. Blair also testified. adding that
did not consider Mr.. Carson ON his levelD s
had resolved TO have nothing TO saw 70
n as he had failed 10 resent the inputation
cowardce when accused in Mr. Blair's Of
The entire matter seems to resolve itself Re
o "A simple question of veracity between the
D gentlemen. No one can Judge as to the
ysical condition Of Mr. Carson on the raft A
there was no evidence 10 show what Wi
sed between them in Mr.. Blair's office I'm;
Carson states that Mr. Blair received him
b his accustomed cordiality, and Mr.. Blair liaI
ties that he charged him with cowardice son
'tainly Il Mr.. Blairs position is correct he neI
I'D hardly have been expected to have re- ~
yed Mr.. Morton otherwise than he did Law
ortunately the authorities apprehended on
gentlemen, and after considering the case mo S,
y fully Justice Crutchfeld required them "
h to give bonds to keep and maintain the OF
ce for twelve months. The bonds were Jos
q at 1000, and were promptly furnished ue p
them both -
lr. Blair's bondsmen were Messrs Junius poa
Norris. Saunders Hobson, John Ruther- . uct'
-d. X. Carter Scott and Lynwood Antrim. we. VIC
ISIS. William H. Allison and s. 8 u. Pat true