The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1892-02-11
unenViable nOtOriety in |

E&SA Asa-c C.3~4S1- - gained an
unenviable notoriety in his own and
the neighboring counties as success
full duelist. Not only was he known
to make the most trivial dispute a
pretext for a challenge, but it was
even reported that on more than one
occasion he purposely provoked a
quarrel. The meeting in nearly every
instance, ended disastrously for his
opponent.
He had the reputation of being an
unerripg shot. Coolly and collected
ly he stepped to his place, took
steady aim, and almost invariably
drought down his man." It will
therefore be readily conceived that he
was dreaded and Stunned by his
neighbors. He was q bachelor and
lived alone in a large country man
.sion.
At that time there happened to be
line regiment stationed in the neigh
boring town Of Galway. Capt. Fen
ton was on terms OF intimacy with
some of the officers, and, though far
from being general tavorite, it not
infrequently occurred that he dined
at the mess on guest nights. But
whenever he was present an air of re-
straint pervaded the assembly. The
dinner was sure to be a spiritless af-
fair, and always lacked the tone of
good fellowship which usually char
acterizes such entertainments.
This may in a measure be account
ed for by the fact that the Captain
was morose, naughty disposition.
His conversation generally displayed
q bitter sarcasm. Moreover, all
present were aware of his fame as a.
duellist. This knowledge rendered
them more cautious in speech, lest p
chance word or expression should
afford him sufficient grounds for
picking q quarrel.
About six months after it's arrival
IN Galway the regiment was Joined
by a junior subaltern. He was a
mere lad, being still in his teens: vet.
by all accounts, he was fine, soldier
ly young fellow. He gave every
promise of making splendid officer,
and few weeks suHced to establish
him as a favorite.
But, alas, only a short time elaps-
ed before he had the misfortune to
fall foul Of Capt. Fenton. Though I
have heard the story from those who
dwelt in the neighborhood, and who
were fully acquainted with every de-
tail, yet have never been able to
ascertain the exact cause of the dis
agreement. However, certain it is
that a challenge was given and ac-
cepted. The affair wat kept as Sc
cret as possible, and at the appoint
ed time the meeting took place in
the corner of meadow about half q
mile from the barracks.
8 1t was a bright spring morning.
! The peaceful aspect of nature formed
a terrible contrast to the bloody
business which had brought those
fine men so early to this lonely spot.
Not much time was lost in prepara-
lions. The combatants were placed,
the pistols were loaded, and the Sec
onds retired. The young officer stood
with the full front OF his body pre-
sented to his opponent. He was
novice in such affairs, poor boy! 1t
is even said that at the precise mo-
ment of firing he involuntarily closed
his eyes. If such was the case he
never opened them again in this
world! His adversary's ball passed
right through his heart.
The surgeon ran forward and raised
the fallen youth. A hasty examina-
ton showed him that he held q corpse
in his arms. While he was thus en-
gagged, Capt. Fenton was occupied in
very different manner. He was
carelessly cutting a notch on the
stock of'his pistol. There we're seven
other marks of a similar description,
and each one represented d victim to
which that weapon had dealt death.
A stretcher was fetched from the
barracks and the corpse was convey
ed thither without delay. The affair
would doubtless have caused a pro-