The record-union., 1895-08-06
A Desperate Duel Occurs in the
Bluegrass State.
A DIFFICULTY RESULTING FROM A
DRUNKEN DEBAUCH
William Lane Shoots and Instantly
Kills James Rodenbaugh and Nor
tally Wounds the Young Mans
Father at Hotel at Versailles.

LEXINGTON (Ky.), Aug. 5.-The most
desperate and tragic duel that has taken
place in the Blue Grass region since the
famous fight in which Goodloe and Sw0pe
killed each other, occurred at the Wood
ford Hotel at Versailles this afternoon,
when William Newton Lane of this city
shot and instantly killed James Roden-
baugh and mortally wounded the young
mans father, II. c. Rodenbaugh.
The facts leading up to the difficulty
show that it was the result OF d drunken
debauch. Lane was drunk at Lexington
Saturday night. and yesterday morning.
it is said, had a wordy war with hotel
clerk because the CLERK would not give
him another drink. Lane was very ugly,
and serious trouble was barely avoided.
He went to Versailles this morning, and
on arriving there continued drinking.
About noon Lane went to the Woodford
Hotel and was given room and siep t
until about O'Clock this afternoon. y
few minutes after that hour he came dow Il
stairs and met James Itoden baugh in the
hall. He was in bad humor. lie ask ed
the young man the amount of his bill,
and upon receiving an answer, Lane be-
cripple. Their words soon led to blows,
and both men drew their pistols about
the same time.
Lanes first shot struck Roden baugh
III the neck just above the collar bone,
and lodged just under the skin in the
back OF his neck. Almost at the same
instant that Lane fired Rodenbaugh's s
pistol was discharged, the bullet pro-
ducing flesh wound of little conse-
quence in Lanes left side in line with
his heart. The blood rushed from Ro-
denbaugh's throat, and, giving a few
gasps, he fell back wards a coapse. Just
as he fell his father opened the door. and
as he did so the slayer of the son turned
upon the father and fired, the ball strik-
ing him in the mouth and lodging III the
back part of his head. He rolled, and
when in the act of falling Lane fired
! again, the second bullet lodging in The
old mans spine. He dropped to the
floor and lay by the side Of his son.
Casting glance at his victims, Lane
walked out OF the hotel, only 10 be ar
rested at the door by an officer and
placed in jail.
When physicians arrived they found
the young man dead, and his father in
such a serious condition that his recovery
is doubted.
Ii. c. Rodenbaugh was a First Lieu
tenant i'll the Ninth Kentucky Cavalry,
anu was gdIIdnL SOIul6r. he was post
master at Nicholasvile for two terms
under President Grant He was also
prominent turfman, being for years the
senior member of the racing firm of
kodenbaugh u ROdgap.
w. y. Lane is a native of Montgomery
County. and is about Is years OF age. He
has been considered u good business man
and quiet gentleman when sober, but
when drinking he is quarrelsome. Lane
comes Of good family, and is related To
some of the best people in Montgomery
and Woodford Counties.
Lane was seen in jail tonight and told
the following story: II came down and
told Mr.. enbaugh that the room was
so filthy that | did not care 10 pay for it,
He cursed me and started for me as if to
do me great bodily harm. L shot the man
because | thought he was going to kill
me. While | was shooting the boy got
his pistol and began shooting at me, and
had TO shoot him or be killed."
The people are highly wrought up over
what they consider All unprovoked muir
der. 1t is believed that should Roden-
baugh die before 2 a. NJ. his slayer will
be lynched.