The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-01-01
A CHALLENGE TO ADUEL.
FRANCIS FONTAINE SENT IT TO
CHARLES z CURRIER.

An Ovsrdraft on tho Bank of Which
Mr.. Currier IS President the Cause OF
the Trouble - Gen. W. S. Walker
Chosen to Convey the Challenge
Hardness OF Hearing Caused Mr.
Fontaine to Nisunderstend state
ment.
ATLANTA, Ga, Dec. S1.-Atlanta has be-
come famous for her duels. the duels that
have happened but were never fought.
Railroad magnates and dry goods clerks
have invoked the bloOdless Offices of the
code to settle their differences and shield
their chivalric honor. The particulars Of
an encounter which might have taken place
early this week just leaked out to-day, and
smother goreless chapter is written in At
lsnta's record OF duels The prominence OF
the.gentlemen, both Of whom are known by
their business connections throughout the
state, makes the affair somewhat sensa-
tioual in its proportions, although it is now
Amicably settled and each has forgiven the
others fault in it.
THE MEN INVOLVED.
Francis Fontaine, prominent as mem-
Der Of the constitutional convention OF 1877
from Columbus, and enjoying a literary
reputation as the author Of a southern
romance entitled "Etowah," was one Of the
sggrleved parties Charles f. Currier,
president OF the Atlanta National Bank,
was the other, Gen. W. 3. Walker, the
veteran soldier, acted as Mr.. Fontaine's
second, and 1t was due TO MS admirable
tact and friendship for both gentlemen that
the difference was settled without an actual
meeting, both Mr.. FontaiBe and
bsofnn Of madam hfpd
courage, who. smsrting under a wrong.
real or imaginary. would not hesitate In
such an affair. In fact. 10 is said that Mr..
Fontaine has already proved his valor on
She field.
CAUSE OF THE TROUBLE.
The trouble arose over an overdraft by
Mr. Fontaine, who in his business, handles
large sums of money through the bank OF
which Mr.. Ourrier is president. Mr.. Fon-
tame and Mr.. Currier had some words over
the matter, both becoming more or less
warm. Mr. Fontaine is very hard of hear
ing aud understood Mr.. Currier 20 call him
liar Being Of that type of southern gem
tlemsn who regards a street fight as low and
ungsntlemanlY he did not resent the imag-
Ined insult on the spot, but left the bank
where the scene occurred and shortly after
ward sent his friend. Gen. Walker, TO con-
vey notice Of formal challenge TO Mr..
Currier.
GEN. WALKERS GOOD OFFICES.
Mr.. Fontaine was in dead earnest about
the matter, and there would doubtless have
been a very different ending Of the ohal-
lenge but for an explanation which Mr..
Currier made to Gen. Walker. To him Mr..
Currier said he had no recollection Of hav-
Ing called Mr.. Fontaine liar. and after
further conversation on the subject, during
which all that had passed between the
two principals was rehearsed Gen. Walker
came to the conclusion that Mr.. Fontaine
had, through his defective hearing, misun-
derstood Mr. Curriers' remarks.
AN EXPLANATION MADE.
Mr. Currier, It is understood, wrote an
explanation 10 this effect, which was con-
veyed to Mr. Fontaine later 10 the dey. Mr..
Fontaine accepted the apology as perfectly
satisfactory. and SO tonight both gentlemen
are as good friends as ever apparently.
After much interviewing of all the gentle
men implicated the facts In the affair were
secured as given, though neither MIR. Fon-
taine nor Mr.. Currier would be quoted,
while both admitted the passage Of the
challenge.