Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1895-08-22
Modern Duelling.
INCIDENTS ON THE
SO-CALLED FIELD OF HONOR

bluftness, was challenged to a duel.
, AT first he stoutly refused to enter
tain such an idea, neither wishing to
lnJure his opponent nor to be disabled
by one who was already notorious as
duellist. Being pressed, however,
ne at last consented, but availing
himself of his right to select the
weapons, he staggered his insolent
opponent by choosing harpoons at a
distance of fifty yards. 1t is almost
needless to say that under these Cir
cumstanCes, the fire-eater cried of
and hastily quilted the district.
A few years ago timid French
man was Mortified to receive a dep
utation Of two seconds, who had
called to arrange meeting on behalf
of their insulted friend. An apology
having been rendered and refused,
the unlucky man felt himself COM
PEELED to accept the unpleasant invi-
tation.
"Ten PAGES or twelve" demanded
the seconds "Our friend says the
nearer the better"
"Six will suit me just as WE'LL" he
replied.
They applauded his bravery, and
after arranging as to the hour and
place, withdrew. AT the appointed
time both principals and seconds met
at the selected spot, but while the
challenger was looking to his pistol
the other produced q sword. A duel
with swords at half a dozen PAGES
being out of the question, the Of
tended man took his revenge by pub
llcly horsewhipping his opponent in
the streets of his native town.
During the Franco German war a
blood-curdling duel occurred in mid
air between two aeronauts, one of
whom was conveying dispatches
from the Governor of Paris. The
balloons approached at considerable
altitude, the encounter was COM
menced with pistols. For some time
neither combatant could secure the
advantage; but at length one balloon
mounted above the other and it's oc-
cupant, seizing his momentary ad-
vantage, threw his graphing irons on
the top of the other balloon. They
tore through the silken fabric as
1t had been so much paper. There
was an escape of gas, a shrek and
the next minute both balloon and bal
loonist lay battered out of recog-
milton upon the ground two thousand
feet below.
A novel duel took place at Paris lust
prior to the opening of the last exhibi-
ton. In this case jealousy was the
cause of the disagreement, be-
tween two brothers who resolved to
drink copious libations of the fiery
article sold as rum until one or both
should be overpowered. The dam
sci concerning whom the dispute arose
was the barmaid who supplied the
poisonous cOncoction as her lovers
called for it. At last one of the
brothers fell down by the side of the
counter, and was carefully carried
home and restored. The other went
out into the frosty night air full of
liquor, caught a chill, and died, thus
leaving the field free to his rival.
American duels are almost invaria-
bly, distinguished by bloodthirsty
ingenuity and determination. In
1855 "an affair of honor" occurred
between a French count and Ger
man lawyer, both of San Francisco.
The dispute was concerning the
tranco-German War, and was set
tied by an encounter with rapiers on
horseback. The count was an easy
victor, and nearly put an end to the
Germans existence.
In 1891 duel occurred, with SINH
lar weapons, in Chicago hotel, the
disputants being an Austrian baron
and an American an actress being
the innocent cause of the dispute,
which well nigh proved fatal to the
former. In 1886 a fatal duel with
pistols was fought, during the hearing
OF case, in tho courthouse at New
Orleans. Both the lawyer who was
assaulted first, and his assailant--a
well-known bully-were killed.
or the murderous conflicts with
razors and bowie-knives we cannot
bring ourselves to speak. The de-
tails are too horrible. The pity is
that they occur so often.
A duel was fought upon the stage
of the Moundsville Theatre (Vir-
ginia) in 1891. The combatants were
amateur actors, who quarreled con-
cerning lady member of the troupe.
In the piece they had to fight sham
duel, but to the horror of the audi
ence, they engaged in an unmistaka-
bly, real one. The weapons were
swords, and at the end of five
minutes one Of them fell severely
wounded in the neck.
A more happy termination was
that which ended duel at Cimarros,
two years ago. One rancher accused
another of cheating him at poker
They nearly killed one another on
the spot, but finally agreed to settle
the matter by duel. 1t was agreed
that two pistols should be put on q
table under blanket, only one be.
ing loaded, and that the combatants
toss up for choice of weapons and
then fire simultaneously. The chal.
lenged man fired first, however, and
finding he had drawn the unloaded
revolver, he folded his arms and
awaited death. The other took ain
at his forehead, then slowly raised
his pistol and fred through the cell
ing, declaring that his opponent was
too brave a man to be guilty of cheat
ing at cards. The combatants be-
came fast friends.
THE REASON WHY.--New Par
son-Which do you like best, Will
lie,, your day school or your Sunday
| School?