The morning call., 1891-07-05
DUEL ON The PRAIRIE.
Trdgsdial MaCkaY and Poet Flood Meet ON The
Field Of Honor and Blaze Away.

In Chicago are two young men who think
they fought a duel under the pale moonlight
on the lonely prairie about two miles from
the corner of Fifty-second and Jackson
streets, says the Chicago Herald. One of
the youths is Thomas a. Flood, a graduate
Of Notre Dame University. He now resides
in Chicago, writes poetry, and has threat
ened to write play. The other young man
is Hugh Mackay, native of Scotland, who
came here to study for the stage. He is
smooth shaven and his raven black hair is
cut after the manner adopted by tragedians.
He boards at 1S5 Sangamon street, and
has told his landlady that his ancestors
fought under Wallace and Bruce. When
talking about his pedigree he thruSts
his right hand under the left side of his
Prince Albert coat and walks like Henry
Irving. Flood and Mackay first met at a
reception where the tragedian reeited
pieces, tEen at benefit given to Mackay in
Apollo Hall, on the West Side The poet
and the tragedian took a fancy to each
other. They became chums About a week
ago they were engaged in game of chance
downtown when discussion between them
arose. Mr.. Mackay called Mr.. Flood the
coward of the West Side" Mr.. Flood
called Mr.. Mackay base poltroon."
This was too strong for the tragedian.
You will hear from me again." he said,
and he strobe away.
On the following day verbal challenges
were sent by the two men to each other
each having selected seconds. to meet on the
field of honor. Among the men Who inter-
ested themselves in the affair were floor
walker and an assistant buyer of 1.-The
Fair" They were ready for fun. Taking
three other. young men into their conf
denca, they induced the poet and the TRACE
dian TO accept the respective challenges.
Mackay wanted to fight in Roman toga
the combat to be with knives. Finally it
was decided that reyolvers should be
used. Two were purchased and the sec
onds loaded them with blank cartridges,
Abont 1880 o'clock seven young men
boarded Madis0n-street cable-car and rode
to Fortieth street-Flood and Mackay, their
two seconds, bogus surgeon. a master of
ceremonies and friend of the latter They
tramped TO the spot selected on the prairie.
The principals were told that an apology
from either side would probably prevent
bloodshed. Neither of the men would
weaken. They had taken too much of the
surgeons cordial. Flood said he wanted to
be buried in the new Prince Albert coat he
was wearing.
The principals were given the guns and
placed back to back. Each marched forw ard
five PAGES, turned, and at signal blazed
away. The seconds rushed to their men and
found them unframed. More cordial was
administered and then it was proposed that
the principals advance and fire until one
should fall. Flood and Mackay dropped their
weapons and awaited decision. Ultimately
it was agreed to have the second firing
take place at ten PAGES as before. But
another chance was offered for an apology
1t was refused. The cordial was getting
its work in. A white target. torn from the
surgeons bandage roll. was placed over the
heart of each duelst. Positions were re-
sumed, and again the signal to fire was
given. Flood dropped his gun, but Mackay
blazcd away. At the same time one of the
boys threw a pebble. which struck Flood in
the breast He fell. and a moment
later it was announced to Markay
that his opponent had been fatally
wounded. The tragedian was asked If
he wished to talk with Flood. NO" he re-
piled: II cannot gaze upon the awful spec
tacle; l am going back to Boston" lie
started across the prairie toward Boston,
but he was brought back. Floods second
pnlled the buckle from the poets left sus-
pender and threw it away. Then it was an
nounced that the bullet bad struck the
buckle, carried 1t away and prevented blood
shed. Apologies were made, more cordial
administered. and the party of seven re-
turned to the city about O'clock yesterday