New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-11-13
rs TT PISTOLS AND COFFEE?
RICHARD HARDIN; DAVIS WRITES A LET.
TER TO T.. w. TOWNSEND.
"yAN BIBDEE" SAYS THAT MAJOR MAX Il
CAD AND COWARD. AID THAT He
WILL SLAP HIS FAcE-AN ARTICLE
LIZ TITLE SIN" CArSTS EE-


Mors OF DUEL.
Richard Harding Davis. the young newspaper
man Of thIs city who became known two years
600 40 tho author of "GalIagker" and the ivan
BIbbe" stories and who since then has risen INTO
nromirence by his "Other Woman" IAN Unfinished
story" and the writings which have appeared
from time to time in magazines, mas put hhsch i"'
ward now as the fit hero for story. he ~ ac-
cused OF wanting to hght oue' WIZ" S''"e ~
who has called him fool
The some one was Edward W. Townsend a re-
porter of 1.-THE Sun" Mr. Townsend is we'll
known I'm newspaper circles as Mr. DAVIS Is 10
readers Of the magazines the literary clubs and
In society He Is the writer OF the MAJOR Max
end the "Chimmie Fadden" sketches which have
amused the readers OF THE SUM-. But the ridcu-
lous part of the affair is that Davis ana Town
send were supposedly friends and that Davis.
when he wrote what is called his challenge did
not know who the author OF the Major Max
article which gave the offence was
This article appeared in THE Sun OF Novem-
her 2 II was headed Major Max Is Angry"
II was short, comical skit on an article by
Davis. which appeared in Harpers magazine re-
Gently in which he tells of a guard mount at 81.
James Palace, London. in his usual enthusiastic
manner In the article Davis said:
There is no guard mount in America, and II
there was 1t would be done In doubie-auicK ana
businesslike manner" 1t was this that made
"Maior Max" angry and Townsend commenting
upon It, makes the Major say to his wife, as ne
throws down the magazine In which he has been
reading It:
at is the kind OF fool this man Is. not the
degree which produces this emotion, my dear.
Here you see is article written by young
man who has lust discovered London. 1t Is class
Of literature in which l usually find much en-
joyment. Writers of the present day VINO an
nounce the death of Queen ANA and the capture OF
Holland by the Dutch are always worth reading.
Such discoveries usually made By men OF the
fresh and breezy style, suggesting the compacent
pride of setter pup which passes over a quail
you've just shot, and brings you back a last
years bird-nest."
Mr. Davis read this article. He did not know
who Major Max" was, but whoever he was it made
no difference; Ne felt that he had been wronged
and insulted. He sat down and wrote the fol-
lowing letter:
10 Eat 27th.st., New.York, November II, 1893.
MAJOR MAJ"
Dca- Sir: Just a week AGO IN ''Thc New-Yor& Sun"
you pleased to misunderstood statement Of mine
in "iIarycr's Magazine to the effect that We had no
guard IN America. You took th' literally, and
made yourself ont rather stupid person, but - lou
purpose show my ignorance you W"Ie apparently
willing to sacrifice yourself TO- excellent cause As
q fact while in the West have probably seen
more guard mounting srmy posts and forts than you
have ever seen salary days but was your purpose
to mi understand me- that is not. possibly. matter
interest you. | did not object 70 your efiticisM
whether H. was fir or unfair but did object to the
names you personally called me-partiuliry when yoh
called me fool" Fool, think, Is my cue. iha' ~
not word you to ne in person or in puolie
prln and l tod your city editor Mr. kcliosg on lhe
morning of its publication. lso asked ann u o',
you that in taking advantage OF your Anonymity u WI
me Names YOU showed yourself 70 be cad ana possibly
a coward; ana that If YOU would give me the oppos
tunity should very eiad to slap your race iof your
inn, r..nence l have allowed week 10 ross, ana
either Mr.. Kellogg did not dei'cf ry message OF YOU
are not reckless in your Proper person rs W" '''
under your military nom-deplume
lost Mr. Kellogg should not have tod you, wEt
This letter to inform you That cad ana Gov"
ard and also &c t you that oe'cr, sehons n'' rev.
have shown IL to several gentei:"n, ard IL Is our
orincn tina. you should do someth n.y. am, 81"
vorrs ,tc RICHARD HARDING DAVIS.
Mr. Townsend received the letter Saturday even
inc tTe read 4. several times; ne couldn't just
exactly make It out. and so he showed IL 10
friend IN THE Sun office. The ir.end was c'''-
vulsed II got about The Sun ofice ana 'he
Office was convulsed The idea of van biooer
Davis and Major Max" Townsend hghting huei
was ridiculous still there was seriousness aDou,
Davis's letter that called for reply and TOWNSEND
sent this to h.n yesterday: 100
New.Yor;s, November IL, 1893
Dear Sir: I haaten reply TO your letter re'c''u
this evening and to you regret thai week
has nas 81 since YOU expressed desire to know the
no,re Of the writer OF the Major Max Sketches wh"i'
that desire being satisfied
wacn my City Editor kellogg inforrei me OF yons
visit 10 "Ihe SUM- editorial room, determined to write
% vo, and glvc the Information you sought but two
successive assignments to sorics in PENNSYLVANIA am
Massachusetts, deprived OF the opportunity IN whch
to extend the circle OF those whose peculiar ci'ah'se
il 70 know that wrote the major Max" Sketches.
Your letter 20 is In one respect vague tau:t III
YOUR style viii major Max" has d'plo7ri ION say
Before sending this have shown to several
gestcnea. and it is opinion that you should 20 some
thing
Pic, - 10 cxnIicit Wha IS u yon and several eeltc-
men think should do!
Awaiting YOUR reply with such degree Of comnosure as
the circumstances permit rcn'in. very truly yours,
EDWARD ". TOWNSEND.
y s-,s 7 am Informed that re.ore you mailed your
letter 10 ire YOU made II topc OF discussion In at leat
two clubs tina, shall be Only aiing your desire
By giving your letter further publicity occasion
may Offer Il. W. L.
To Mr.. Richard Harding Davis.
No. 10 Fast Twenty .cycnth.st. n. Y.
BY yesterday the affair had leaked out Up in
the reporters room of THE Sun" there was but
one topic discussed the coming duel. Mr.. Town
send received nnumerabie cards and offers from
friends who wanted 70 be seconds, All Oh wnic f ha
s soMe' in awe" be eAs SUM- Office grew in dimensions
Mr.. Townsend himself said TO ii Tribune reporter
Il don't Know what to think of Dsvlss letter letter
at ALL He is in earnest there Is no DOUBT lou HS1or
Max story Davis's work has been subjected TO
fhs psrsaps and ne e sposd by his
own success. and does not know how e, TO take
necnliar letter to Major Max | do think he
knows who the author Of the Major Max sketches
and he bowed pleasantly lie ought to have slapped
my face then and there, II that IL what he wants
10 do | am sure ! have feeling against Mr.
Davis personally. and | know him only slightly.
The whole mptter Is very funny.
Mr. Davis. a. his rooms nj No ~ East twenty
seventh-s st wrote out for The Tribune last evening
what ne cared to have published In connection
with this story. 1t Is as follows:
- have nothing to say about It at all. except
that OF course. | never wrote a challenge to any
Lodv I said I'd his face.
Mr.. Davis much ANNOYED that MI TOWNSEND
should have made the matter puDhc.