The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1891-11-26
A STRANGE DUEL
Fought In the Parlor OF n Physi-
clans Homo.
The Man NJ Medicine Engages In .
Deadly battle with a Soldier Dur
ting the Absence Of Ills
Family.

famtys
There Is a gentleman in milwaukee,
who tells a story that savors more 90
the days of George III. than OF Tn
practical nineteenth century. His name
cannot be given, says the Chicasyo
Times, but were IL known his tale, re-
mantle as il is, would be accepted with
out question, as he Is well known and
respected Early in August, he said.
two residents of Chicago met at club.
They were Dr. Lee, formerly of the
United States service, and Lieut.. Fair
child, who still wears army blue. Dur
ing the evening they quarreled. What
brought on the quarrel is not known.
IL might have been a dispute over
trifiing matter that developed into
something worse or it might have been
n difference over social game of cards.
The quarrel was apparent enough-too
much so-and friends parted them.
The next day Lieut.. Fairchild, not
very much to his surprise, received
challenge. He was soldier and BRAY.
His reply was prompt. He accept.
and named his friend. AS to place
that was more difficult. DIR. Lee offered
his own home. Lieut. Fairchild, with
chivalric confidence, accepted the propo-
sition. 1t was agreed that the weapors
should be German swords, such as are
used in the famous university duels
long straight steel blades sharpened to
the keenness of a razor for three inches
from the point and dull the remainder.
The two principals, with one second
and gentleman who had been selected
as referee, met in the parlor OF the
physicians home. There had been
another second selected, but at the last
moment he showed the white feather
However it was decided the fight should
go on without him.
DR., Lee had sent his family away OIL
visit, which gave the duelists cleai
field The furniture was removed from
the parlor, leaving the good-sized rooI
clear Of everything but the carpet Ii
tie time was spent in prcliminaries, an
as the steeple clocks were hurrying o
tagonists faced each other in shirt an
trousers, while on either side stood tn
two witnesses, each with sword il
hand. For a moment after they ha
bowed to each other courteously thu
two duelists stood facing each othc
waiting. Then low but sharp and clea
came the words: "Ready, 60" TIL
bright steel blades flashed and me
with wicked clang that sent tn
sparks flying. In the eyes of boil
flashed the fires of hate and battle.
a.. ha
were lowered reluctantly. Again tn
blades Missed as they coiled about cac
other trying to'reach the flesh beyond
The duelists were well matched. Out
side of its possible tragical outcome
was pretty fight. So say the witness
es. The men struggled and fought lik
vikings of old, with no advantage t
either. A half hour passed. Hot an
weary, the duelists tried every skill {
fencing, every known device, to get il
side the others guard, to no effect. ID,
this could not last forever. DIR. lie
made sharp attack. His long swor
leaped over the guard of his antagoni
and the next second big crimson sps
dyed the sleeve of Lieut.. Fairchild. II
swords were beaten up and an examil
alton made "a mere scratch" said Il
wounded man, and he insisted on goiI
on with the fight.
His insistence left nothing but to
ahead. The sword Of the physician hi
passed through the feshy part of Il
upper portion of the arm. The wouI
was bound up and the duelists aga
took their places. Now the lieutena
fought more cautiously and stood mo
on his defense. His opponent render
confident by success, attacked savagel
Round and round the apartment. nc
spattered with blood, the two conts
tants went, cutting, thrusting, parI
ing, until suddenly the heutenan
sword glided under the physicians q,
and bright red spot appeared on
breast.
Another halt, but the wounded m;
as his opponent had done before hi
insisted on proceeding. The end v
approaching.
Fatigued with loss of blood the pl
stefan failed in his guard and again
line of steel sprang forth, and this ii
when it came back after it poure,
crimson torrent. That ended the fig
The witnesses declared bruised no
amply bathed in blood. The duel
agreed and shook hands as gentlen
should. The physician bound up b
his own and his antagonists wour
sent out for a case of champagne,
in it's sparkling flow the two former
tagonists swore renewed friendsl
Both were laid up for few days,
convenient excuses were found for
care with which the lieutenant L
his arm and the physician protected
breast.
The parlor was cleaned and furni'
restored long before the return OF
family, and they never knew so CHA
thing us duel had occurred tn
No more did anyone outside of
four persons who were present L
now.
He Waa q Yankee.
Here Is an incident related by
Ameri..r who visited the great d
races in Ens,"ud: 81 was stan