The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-07-14
MR.. F1NLEY's DUEL IN MEXICO. 3
He Says He Left His Antagonist Dying
and Fled across the Border

He Says He Left His Antagonist Dying
and Fled across the Border.
From the Chicago Daily Inter Ocean,
r. II. Finley, an old resident of Niles,
Mich, has just returned from visit to
Mexico suffering from a sword thrust in the
side. The wound was received In duel
with Mexican officer, and the story hesells
Of it is sensational in the extreme.
On Jan. IS Finley stood before the historic
castle of Chepultepeo, aud unstrapping a
small camera, prepared to take shot at
the rare old pile. He was quietly adjusting
his plates when three young Mexican officers
in passing made some insulting remark.
Finley replied in kind, when the Mexican
rushed at him with drawn sword, but was
prevented from doing violence, though
Finley succeeded In slapping him in the face.
A challenge was presented aud accepted,
Finley securing the services OF young
Mexican officer as q second. The seconds
announced that the combat would be with
swords. but, in consideration Of Finey's
insxperience, short bledes Of thirty inches
would be used instead of the long 36-iuch
blades, with which his opponent was
familiar.
At dawn on the following morning two
coaches left the center Of the Mexican ca oi-
tai and rAmbled through the suburbs co a
silent and secluded grove Then the, occu-
pants alighted. The four men were Accom-
panied by a fifth, who carried a fiat case of
surgical instruments. On the way into the
wood, Finley's second whispered bis last in
structions: strike for your adversarys
face" he said. "It ia bis weakest point.
After lungiug, spring back quickly to avoid
his blade His returns are rapid
In small open glade the party paused.
The seconds assisted them TO remove their
coats, waistcoats and collars. Then they
stood back.
Gentlemen, en- garde," exclaimed the
elder.
The two men advanced, crossed their
points and threw up their left hands. For
u few moments they seemed to feel each
other, and in those moments Finley felt that
he was overmatched and that death was
before him.
Suddenly the Mexican made huge and
Finley parted it. Then came another aud
another. The Mexican advanced and re-
treated with the smoothness and rapidity
OF a snake. His weapon played about the
blade OF his opponent like Il rod OF fire, but
Finley retreated and parted mechanically
Suddenly he felt himself wounded above
the heart, but he was on.a backward spriug
and the cut Was very slight. Again the
feeling was resumed, followed by rapid
lunges and retreats. The shortnesa of his
sword was an embarrassment to the soldier.
1t had saved the American from @ dozsn
death thrusts already.
Finley remembered his seconds advice
and attacked the Mexican's face He in
hicted one or two slight scratches, but his
wrist and arm, unacoustomed to sword play,
began to tire. The soldier felt his adj
vantage and pressed him hard, lunge sue
ceedinE lunge with lightning rapiditv
Finley parried and retired and advanced
again bravely, but after each attack he
grew weaker.
AT last. after a terrible onslaught, the
Mexican Tented at FinlsY's face aud then
changed his point in direct line with his
heart. The American parted the thrust,
but was only partly successful. The sword
plunged through his thigh near the groin.
For second the officer could not withdraw
it, and in that moment Finley shortened
his own weapon and drove it through his
antagonists breast near the shoulder.
The Mexican fell inssnsible and died on the
following day, while Finley hurried across
the border as soon as his wound would per-
nit