The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-04-24
BORROWE and FOX MEET
Two Shots Each at Twelve PAGES
and Neither Of Them
Scratched
BOTH COOL AS CUCUMBERS.
A Cruel Perforation In Fox's Frock Coat
the Only Casualty.
THE Sun REPORTER LOOKS on.
Likewise Six Other Deeply Inter.
ested Spectators

Il All Happened In . Sandy belgian Hollow
Near Ostend Yesterday Anernoon-They
Blasea Away with Mnbauk's Deadly
Pistols-The valorous Harry Seconds
Borrowe, While w. b. Bacon, Jr.. Look .
Aner Fex-Luncheoa for Two Before
observation-disclosures the Police with
Great ASility-Nobody Hurt and Every.
body. Includlns Honor. satisned-" Gen.
tleren. Ny Pistols Have Been In Good
Hands," Remarks the Delighted AIiibank
Full Text or Borrowe's Letter that
brought on the AHair-Arter the Smoke
Clears Away He Retracts His Remark
that Fox 10 = Conte mptiblo Coward.
dp,rieh 1892 BY Tnr sux Printing and Pii.lns Aso
citation.
BRUSSELS. April GA duel was fought this
afternoon between Edward Fox and Hallett
Alsop Burrows in tho hollows OF ths sand
dunes on tho Belgian coast, near Niouport
Bains. few miles south Of Ostend. It result
cd in nothing worse than a triple perforation
OF the skirts Of Fox's new frock coat but was
as close call rs man often has Burrowe's
bullet went into the coat about six inches be-
low the lowest button. so close to Fox's abdo-
men that 1t scraped his trousers. Had Bur-
suit would have been fatal beyond doubt.
There were seven persons present at the en-
counter besides the principals. Fox was sec
onded by William b. Bacon. Jr. OF Boston. and
Borrowe by Harry Vane Milbank The others
present were Edwin Cleary. o surgeon. and
NJ. Provost. proprietor OF the Hotel Provost
near which the duel took place. reporters Of
THE Sun and Herald. and one other person.
1t Ind been intended that the men should
meet on Col North's Belgian property near
Antwerp. the nitrate king having given Fox
permission. but as the police got wind OF the
affair it was found necessary at o'clock this
morning to change the place Of meeting. An
effort was made TO leave London secretly. but
all the parties to the affair were missed stimuli
taneously from their accustomed haunts. and
tho secret soon leaked out
Bacon arrived at the Hotel de pEurops
Antwerp. at g o'clock yesterday evening.
having come from London BY way Of Queens
borough and Flushing. Milbank landed the
night before by way Of Dover. Calais. and
Brussels. aud Fox by way Of Harwich. Edwin
Cleary met Fox on the railroad platform as
the train was leaving. and accompanied him
rs O matter OF friendship. Borrowe got to
Brussels via Paris. and all were at the Hotel
de Europe in Antwerp before 2 o'clock this
morning.
None OF them went to bel Fox and Borrowe
wrote letters all night while Millbank and
Bacon discussed the details OF the coming duel.
and Clcary made arrangements for the place OF
meeting with o klnd-hearted Antwerp man
who knew Provost. the hotel man near Ostend.
and who was loath that the two men should
lose an opportunity Of shooting at each other.
Milbank and Borrowe loft Antwerp for Os-
tend at 5 o'clock In the morning. and the
others In two parties. agreeing not to recog-
nize each other en- route lest they should
arouse the suspicious OF the police. Both
parties met at Client however. and Borrowe
and Fox passed within a few feet OF one an
other. Borrowers face was impassive. but Fox
looked upon his prospective antagonist with
ill-concoaled contempt.
Ostend was reached at noon and the parties
drove out in carriages to Nicuport. where
luncheon was eaten in two divisions at the
Hotel Provost. At 2:30 o'clock the surgeon
arrived. and then the nino men strolled out to
the sand dunes. Landlord Provost carrying the
surgeons case Of instruments under his coat
and affecting to be showing his guests the
scenery. It was not ten minutes walk to the
end Of tho pretty village. and then only fvo
minutes stroll over tho little hills until hol-
low was found from which tho roofs Of the
houses could not be seen.
The interest was now intense. as the two
principals and the others watched the seconds
pace of the ground. 1t had boon decided that
the men should fire two shots ut twelve PAGES.
and all present knew that both meant bust
ness. The weapons were pair OF 45-calibre
duelling pistols owned by Milbank. who fired
them both in Bacon's presence to show that
they wore In proper condition. The pistols
were then reloaded and Fox and Borrowe
were called to tho scene OF action.
Both were dressed as tho etiquette OF duel
ling requires. In frock coats and top hats.
Fox wore his on the train from Antwerp. but
Borrowe came thence In o swagger travelling
suit, wearing round hat and bringing valise
and hat box. He mnde the change ut tho Ho-
tel Provost and changed back again after the
affair was over.
II Borrowe 10 q coward. he did not show 1t
this afternoon. He Was absolutely cool and
imperturbable. and Fox's nonchalance was
never disturbed.
Gentlemen" said Mllbank after Borrowe
and Fox had been placed twelve PAGES apart
and tho reyolvers had been handed to them.
81 shall say ready. fire. one. two. three you
may fire at any time between the words one
and three. Are you ready?"
Ready" said Borrowe.
Fox did not reply.
Ready. fire. one"
Bang went both pistols at once. before the
word two" was spoken. Neither OF tho men
spoke word. and the seconds advanced and
took away the weapons. Both men stood In
their tracks during the trying ceremony OF re-
loading the revolvers. The only indication OF
nervousness on Borrowes part was his light
ing cigarette. Fox never stirred.
When Milbank again spoke the word 'one"
both mon fred IS before. Borrowe stood still.
but Fox lifted his hat. Borrowe returning the
courtesy Both seconds ran UP and found
Fox's coat perforated. as related. Honor"
was declared satisfied. and MiIbank said:
Gentlemen. my pistols have been in good
hands"
II WISH" said Milbank to Bacon. that We
could bring about reconciliation. but that is
impossible"
II will take back" said Borrowe to Milbank.