Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-11-21
DR.. FL0URN0Y DEAD.
After Years Of Suffering He Passed Away
at the Home for lnCurabltS.
MALsDy THE RESULT or \ DUEL.
While IA student at the University
of virginia He Fought Nr. Edgar
Garth with bowie Knives and Both
Were Seriously Wounded.

DR. David Flournoy, late Of Brunswick
county, died yesterday afternoon about 8
O'Clock at the Virginia Home for Incura-
bles. where he had been for about a
month.
Or. Fiournoy's career was without am
bitlon for distinction. and yet in some re-
spects he was very remarkable man.
Born and reared IN the county Of Char
lotte.. under the strictest influence and
discipline Of the Presbyterian Church.
and taught from his earliest youth 10
observe and practice all the tenets Of
the Christian faith, but at the same time
to preserve his self-respect, and to be so
guided by the laws Of honor as they were
taught in Virginia under what is now
known az the old refine, he was drawn
into the nercest and most desperate
bowie-knife fight that ever occurred in
this State
FOUGHT FOR HIS FRIEND.
At the time OF the difficulty, which was
about tine year 1874. Or. Fiournoy was a
medical student al the University OF Nir-
ginla His friend and kinsman. Dr.
Thomas Darlington. became involved In
controversy with Mr Edgar Garth. a
prominent young farmer of Alhemlrle
county. The complications of the Diff
Guilty between Darlington and Garth re-
suited in the hand-tO-hand conflict be-
tween Mr.. Garth and Dr. Flournoy. They
fought by agreement. and while they were
without seconds. they observed all the
rules Of fairness and honor in the fight.
Both men were cool. sklful. and deter
d 4 -.
Gtrth had fallen TO the ground from the
loss of blood. after having given and re-
ccNed many wounds When informed Of
the difficulty and the facts connected with
n. the father OF SIR. Garth. although his
son was desperately wounded ana bis life
dtepaircd of. at once offered himself as
surety 10 prevent Dr. FlournOv. who was
also badly wounded. from being sent 10
prison. Within twcnty-fOur hours after
the difficulty occurred Dr. Flournoy was
sent for by Mr.. Garth. ana introduced ~
his mother and other members OF her
family. and q bond OF friendship was es-
tablished between the two antagoni rs
with the family Of one assembled around
what was thought 10 be his dc1thheI. Mr..
Garth recovered, but has now been dead
some years.
SUFFERER FOR TWENTY YEARS. .
More than twenty years ago the disease
from which DR., Flournoy died developed,
as the result of the wounds which he re-
ceived on the occasion of the bloody duel.
During the first years OF the late war Dr.
FlOurnOy was captain of the Charlotte
Cavalry. and IN the latter part Of the war
was field surgeon I'm the Army Of North
ern Virginia. His life and character were
adorned by the virtues which belonged
TO that class Of men which gave Virginia
a distinct individuality among the states
Of the Union. Ills suffcrings were borne
for twenty years without complaint. and
his death was as quiet as mis- character
was firm.
Dr Flournoy married some years after
the war Miss Bouliin a daughter Of
Judge Wood Bouldin. of the Supreme
Court OF Appeals. She died solae years
ago. leaving three children-Misses Matte
and Fanny FlOurnoy and Mr. Thomas
Flournoy-all OF whom are now living
The body will be taken to Brunswick
to-day. and Inferred in the family bury
inS-ground.