Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-09-17
A DUEL TO THE DEATH.
Two Young Men Flight With Knife
and Pistol.
Both are Mortaily wounded--An Old
Feud Between the Two Combntants
Leads to the Fight with But Little
Direct Provocation

Both are Mortaily wounded--An Old
Teud Between the Two Combntants
Leads to the Fight with But Little
Direct Provocntion
LAUREL, Sept. ll.--A terrible tragedy,
in which two young men were morally
wounded, occurred last night at u village
camp-meeting held under the auspices OF
the Methodist Episcopal Church at Delmar,
a railroad terminus six miles south OF
here.
A feud has existed between Frederick, a
grown son of Major Williams, a promi-
nent farmer of this county, and young
man named Harvey Wells, q notorious
character, though of aristocratic parentage,
for the past four years.
In the year 1887 an estimabie young wo-
man of the neighborhood from which the
young men hailed received a very insulting
valentine. The lady's brother took excep.
ton to the insulting missive and threatened
Williams, whom he accused of being the
author. The two young men became in
volved in fight. Williams, who was VIC
torious, was then pounced upon by Wells.
A violent fight ensued both men being
badly used up. Since then they have been
deadly enemies.
Last night Williams, in company with
several young women, including his two
sisters, attended the camp, and they were
talking. gleefnlly when Wells drove up.
Recognizing his enemy Wells walked up
and deliberately pushed Williams with
violence against the ladies. Williams re-
sented the insult in strong terms, where
upon they came to blows. A deacon of
the church separated them and adInon-
ished them to leave the grounds. Both
contestants, without saying word, walked
to the public road nearby. where they re-
newed the contest with increased violence.
Williams, who is much smaller man
than his burly adversary, was getting
much the best of the encounter, when
Wells drew huge hooked pruning knife.
BLOODY ENCOUNTER.
With his right hand he used his weapon
viciously. and at the same time in some
manner he got Williams under his left
arm and with determined effort to STAY
his antagonist he slashed the others bare
neck with his ugly weapon, completely
severing all the arteries and veins of the
left side to the bone. He again raised the
knife to complete his foul work
Before the startled spectators could inter
fere, however, by most strenuous, effort,
the wounded man released himself 81 that
the second time, instead of severing the
right side of the neck and windpipe, as
desired by Wells, the knife struck the
others back, making a frightful cash. In
the meantime Williams had drawn his re-
NpANti anu lNth bllt Stlblt NHlln luOk
effect in Wells collar bone.
Wells then realizing that he had success
ihlly carried out his intention made an
other thrust at Williams, this time cutting
out his antagonists left eye. Another bull
let from Williams pistol struck Wells i'm
mediatcly over the heart. The latter then
started TO run, but was caught by Williams
who held him with his left hand and with
his right hand aimed another ball for
IIaa.h llnt LII.
III his own wrist.
HE BROKE AND RAN.
Wells then broke and ran pursued by
Wllllams, VINO, after emptying every
chamber of his revolver, shouted for his
brother TO get doctor quickly, that he
was done for his head being half cut
OH, hut, thank Cod he added, eve got
him. though; got him"
Both men were then picked up by their
friends and taken to neighboring drug
store, and Drs. Robert Ellegood and
wright were summoned. While operating
on Wells the physicians complained that
the lamp was not being held right.
Williams jumped up saying: 81 will
hold it." He was quoted, and the difficult
task OF dressing the wounds was proceeded
with. Williams was taken to the home of
friend, while Wells, owing to the fact
that no one seemed TO desire to shelter
nm, was kept in the drug store until hts
father, who lived twelve miles distant, ar
rived ind took him home in diving con-
dltion. Late adyices say he died before
reaching home. Williams has only a
slight chance of recovery
The community is in state of intense
excitement, while the immediate families
of the two men are Frustrated over the sad
termination of feud that dates back 10 a
one cent valentine, 1t IS feared by many
that the friends of the two men may array
themselves in antagonism and that a feud
OF the Kentucky type may be tho result.
Reports from Delmar on Monday
are to the effect that Harvey l.. Wells
and Frederick Williams, the partici-
pants IN bloody duel in that town last
week, are somewhat better and hopes
are entertained that both will recover
Two bullets were extracted from Wells
body yesterday, one from his right side,
near the arm-pit and the other from his
left shoulder. The prevailing impress
sion here is that If the men recover they
will resume their fight and keep it up
until stopped by death.