St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-04-24
Hallett BopPoWe and Edward
Fox Exchange Shots in
Belgium.
Fox Lives Only Because His
Opponents Aim Was a
Little Wide.
Two Shots Were Fired by
Each Man With the Very
Best Intentions.
The Duelists Were Cool and
Courteous. With No Trace
Of FUNK.

BRC ssELs, AprlI "a duel was
fought this afternoon between Edward
Fox and Ilallett A. BorrOwe in the hol-
lows Of the sand dunes on the Belgian
coast, few miles from Ostend. 1t re-
shifted in nothing worse than a
triple pcrf0ration Of The skirts Of
Fox'5 new frock coat, but it was
as close call as a man ever
had. Borrowers bullet went into the
coat about six inches below the lowest
button, so close 10 foxs abdomen that
it scraped his trousers. Had Borrowe
bettcrcd his aim by half an inch. the
result would have been fatal beyond
doubt. There were seven persons pres
Gnt at the encounter besides the princi-
pals. Fox was seconded by William b.
Bacon .Jr.. Of Boston, and Borrowe by
Harry NaHc Millbank. The others
present were Edwin Clcary, a surgeon,
". Provost, proprietor Of a hotel near
which the duel took place, and two re-
portcrs. An effort was made TO leave
London secretly, but all parties
TO the affair were missed simulta-
neOusIy from their accustomed haunts
and the secret soon leaked out
Bacon arrived at Antwerp. at 8 o'clock
yesterday afternoon, Millbank landed
the night before by way OF Dover. as
did Fox also. Edwin Cleary met Fox
on the railroad platform as the train
was leaving and accompanied him as
matter Of friendship. BOrrOwe got to
Brussels via Paris. and all we're at the
tat pf
O'Clock ihis morning. None OF them
went 20 bed. Fox and Borrowe
Wrote Letters All Nigh,
While Millbank and Bacon discussed
fhe details Of the coming duel, and
Cleary made arrangements for the place
Of meeting with Il kind hearted Ant
wcrp man who knew PreYest. the hotel
man near Ostend, and who was 10th
that the two men should lose the appOr-
tunily Of shooting at each other.
Millbank and BOrrowc left Antwerp
IOr Ostend at 3 O'Clock in the
morning and the others in two parties
agreeing not to recognize each other en-
route, lest they should rouse the sus-
picions Of the police. Ostend was
reached at noon, and the parties drove
out in carriages 10 Newport, where
luncheon was eaten in two divisions
at the Hotel Provost. The sur
Eeon arrived, and then the nine
men strolled out to the sand dunes,
Landlord Provost carrying the sur
ge0n's case OF instruments under his
coat and affecting to be showing his
guests the scenery. 1t was not ten min
utes' walk to the end Of the pretty vii
Iage, and then only five minutes
seamper over the little bills till a hol-
low was foundJ from which only the
roofs of the houses could be seen.
Interest was now intense as the two
principals and the others watched the
seconds pace off the ground. 1t had
been decided that the men should fire
aw0 shots at twenty-five PAGES, and all
present knew that
Both Meant Business.
The weapons were pair of 45-caliber
dueing pistols owned by Millbank,
hShO fired them both in Bacon's pres
ence TO show that they were in proper
condition. The pistols were then re-
loaded and Fox and Borrowe were
called TO the scene of action. Both were
dressed as the etiquette of dueling re-
Quires. in tiOck coats and top hats.
II BurrOwe is a coward he did not show
1T this afternoon. lie was absolutely
cool and imperturbabe, ana FoX's non
chaance was never disturbed. Gen
Ilemen," said Nillbank. after Borrowe
and Fox had been placed twelve PAGES
apart and the pistols handed 20 them,
81 shall say, Ready, fire, one, two,
three You may fire at any time be-
tween the words one and three. Are
you ready?'
Ready" said Borrowe, but Fox did
not reply.
Ready, fire, one-bang went both
pistols ut once, before the word two
was spoken. Neither OF the men spoke
Il word, and the seconds advanced and
took away the weapons. Both men
stood in their tracks during the trying
ceremony of reloading the revolvers.
The only indication of nervousness on
Borrowers part was his lighting cigar
cite. Fox never stirred.
When Milbank spoke the word lone"
again. both men fired as before. Bor-
rowe stood still, but Fox lifted his hat.
when Borrowe returned the courtesy
Both seconds ran up, and found Fox's
coat tails perforated as related. Honor
was declared satisfied, and Millbank
said, "GenGlemen, my pistols have been
IN good hands"