Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1891-05-09
MAI. BELLS DUEL.

a Meeting on the Field of Honor That Did
Not Prove Disastrous.
An emblematical button of the Loyal
Legion adorned the lapel of a cheviot
coat worn by Maj. Oscar Bell at the AL
bany.
"a story, eh?" laughed the ex-army
officer, as he detached his eyeglasses
from the bridge of his nose and looked
ant Republican reporter seated beside
him.
"Well, lemme see. The smoke of
Shiloh is chestnut now, and the battle
of the Wilderness probably has been
smothered from further interest by
profuse growth of weeds BY jove! l
can give you little incident that has
never been in type. 1t happened in
1858, when our regiment was in camp
at little Missouri town called Lex
ington. / wore captains straps at
that time and did the shouting for Com
pany b.
THE captain of Company D was nam
ed Henry Poor. Unknown to me he de-
tested me, and all because | once made
pun on his name while at West Point
Being young man of stringent means
he was mortally offended, but later
seemed to have overlooked an unin-
tentional sally of wit that got off at
his expense among group of fellow
cadets.
well, when we got our commissions
the loaded dice of faith threw us both
in the same regiment, and when the
war broke out we went to the front I'M
der the same colonel. AS I said before,
our regiment camped at Lexington,
Mo, near Kansas City, or Westport,
as 1t was known in those days. Among
the events that transpired during the
two weeks of our sojourn was grand
ball, given at the residence of loyal
northern woman, for Lexington, al.
though a Missouri town, had great re.
spect for the confederate colors, and q
great many of its citizens heartily sym.
pathized with the southern cause. Al
the ball, several of the officers of ouI
regiment were invited-Poor and my,
self included.
During the evening I placed my
name on the programme of one of Lex
ingtons bellies, but when l called fol-
the dance 1 was Mortified at the discov
CRY bhslA lAtLLAC Alsiti bGGh
erased and that of Poor substituted
When Poor and the young lady started
off amid the seductive strains Of the or
chestra my blood, which had in thC
meantime been increased to 40 degree,
Fahrenheit by liberal indulgence il
champagne, fairly boiled with indigna
ton. Later in the evening l caugh
Capt Poor in the gentleman's dressing
room alone. l slapped him roughly il
face and told him just what l though
of him. He did not resent it there, bu
the next day | received a challeng
from him to fight duel
II had never fought duel and I hes
itated some time, but rather than b
accused of cowardice consented. Tn
matter was placed in the hands o
friends, and one bright moonlight nigh
five dark figures sneaked out of tn
camp and into neighboring WOOD
The fifth figure was that of doctor c
Lexington, who had been let into th
secret and consented to act, in consic
Grafton of a big fee for his services. I
every appearance the duel was to be
tragic one, although I thought at on
time detected slight smirk in til
features of the seconds, who were MI
tual friends of the determined prime
pals.
Measure off tep paces," commando
the doctor as he wiped tiny stream
Missouri icotine from his chin whi
kers- IL, doctor was to act as mast'
of ceremonies. The space was mea
ured.
Bring on the weapons" was IL
next command The seconds brougl
forth an old ominous-loolSing bund
carefully wrapped up in oilcloth. Cap
Poor shuddered. / was equally ner
GUS. Ugh the weapons were evident
wicked sabers, and it would be du
from which neither principal wou
emerge alive. We took our places Il
paces apart and stood glaring at ca,
other, patiently waiting for the suppc
ed swords to be placed in our han
ready to pierce each others hearts
"Gentlemen, here are the weapon
exclaimed the doctor, as two large bas
ball bats rolled out of tha oilcloth.
advanced and placed one in the han
of each principal mind, gentleme
YOU are not to violate the rule to Ike,
ten PAGES apart Are you readyP"
Capt Poor and gazed at each oth'
The seconds were doubled up on t
ground in convrlsions of laughter. Ev
the doctor smiled, and to cap the c
max, silvery laugh from woman
lips broke the stiffness of the air as t
fair cause of the duel strode onto t
dueling ground with ey es sparkling wi
mirsh
pa be ssnsible. gentlemen, a