Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1895-12-02
THE WILKES McvEIGH DUEL.

A dispatch from Chicago says: The
wounds of Paul t. Wilkes received in
the sensational Wilkes-M McVeigh duel,
fought November 18th, at Fort Lee on
the Hudson, were hastily dressed by q
surgeon in the office of the Aud itorium
Theatre Friday evening. Mr.. Wilkes
shortly after left the city for Kentucky.
Owing to the fact that the wounds Of
the other principal in the duel have
taken dangerous turn, and blood.
poisoning is feared, Mr. Wilkes was
entertained during his stay in this
town, where he is well known, with
great privacy.
The duel was the result of quarrel
at the Astor House cafe On the evening
of November II. The origin of this
quarrel never became known and not
until Friday evening was even a hint Of
the cause given out by Mr.. Wilkes.
"Mr. McVeigh and myself were din
Jog at the Astor House," he said "and
with US were Frank Butler and Robert
Radcliffe Owens. Mr.. McVeigh during
the course of the conversation at the
table made remark concern certain
persona remark felt was justified
in resentipg. Hot words followed,
aud il remember rightly, I denounc-
ed Mr.. McVeigh as coward and q
cur. There was but one way Of
settlement, of course, and the dinner
party at once broke up. Mr.. McVeigh
notified me that be would send friend
to wait upon me with challenge. 1t
was arranged that the friend should
meet me in the Hoffman House cafe.
Mr.. Owens, Mr.. McVeigh's cousin.
YVES chosen and found me at the ap-
pointed hour and place. Mr.. Frank
Butler had departed Immediately; al
ter g long search found him at the
Standard Theatre. He at oncs con-
sented to act for me, and he and Mr..
Owens were soon in consultation.
sit was my privilege to name wea.
poDs snd terms, ana not desiring to
foolishly ieopardize life, l proposed that
Mr. McVeigh and [ meet in my apart
ments at the jefferson Hotel strip to the
waist and fghtit out with bare fists until
one or the other was satisfied. My
terms were refused on the ground that
McVeigh was o sufferer from hemor-
rage of the lungs and that such en- en-
counter as proposed took an advetage
of him, and might prove fatal on accoul t
of his physical weakness. On being in
formed of this, decided on pistols.
"We met on the morning with the
result which is pretty generally known.
At no time was it my intention to kill
Mr.. McVeigh, and l made solemn res
olution to fire my first three shots in the
air. This l did and I have in my
possession affidavits to that effect from
five Of the six persons who were on the
field. Having mys elf been wounded in
my left arm by Mr.. McVeigh, after 1
had exhausted three of my shots, | felt
justified in taking sterner measures. 1
fred and inflicted wound in my an
tagonist's thigh"
Mr.. McVeigh is newspaper man, 8
writer OF short stories and leading
member OF the Southern Society of New
York.
Mr.. Wilkes is famous throughout the
West as the slayer of George Sheppard,
one of the leaders of the Riel rebellion,
aud his second, Frank Butler, is lec-
turer of considerable renowp, a son of
the late Col George Butler, o. S. con-
sui to Egypt under President Grant,
and his wife, Rose Eytinge, the we'll
known actress.