Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-01-09
Famous Virginia Duel with Bowie
Knives and Pistols.
AROSE OVER KICKING A COW AND
ENDED IN FRIENDSHIP BE-
TWEEN THE PAR
TIES.

; ENDED IN FRIENDSHIP BE-
TWEEN THE PAR
TIES.
DIR. David Flournoy died OF tn
23rd of November last at the Hom
for Incurables at Richmond, Va
His death recalls one of the most re
markable street duels in the histor,
of the country, the participants be
longing to old and we'll known Vir
ginia families. A Richmond cor
respondent of the New York Worl,
gives the following interesting &C
count of the duel between him and
Edgar Garth.
DIR. Flournoy was born in Charlott,
county, Va, and was reared under
the strict influence and discipline OF
the Presbyterian church. He came
of proud family of Virginians
who scrupulously preserved their
self-respect at all times and were
guided by the laws of honor as they
were taught in Virginia under what
is now known as the old regime.
at the time Of the duel DIR. Flour
noy was medical student at the
University of Virginia. At the
same institution was his friend and
kinsman, Thos. Darlington, of Ar
kansas. The latter's father was a
member of the we'll known Virgin
Ia family of that name. Flournoy
and Edgar Garth were the princi-
pals. Garth belonged to the daring
family of that name who have been
known in Albemarle through years
for their fearlessness, GOODNESS and
love Of adventure. Both of the du-
elists were cool, skillful and deter
mined and the fight ended only af:
ter Garth had fallen to the ground
from loss of blood and was thought
to be dying.
A few months before DIR. Flour
noy's death he told the story of the
duel to an intimate friend. One
morning, early in April, 1854, Flour
noy and Darlington were crossing the
street from the "old book store" to
the University grounds, just as Ed
gar Garth, with friend named Frye
were driving a herd of cattle over
the walk. Darlington kicked one of
the cows from his path, whereupon
Garth swore at the young student.
He dismOunted and dared the two
students to leave the campus. With
out much further ado the fight be-
gan with an attack upon Darlington
by Garth, while Frye faced Flour
noy. The latter soon broke Frye's
nose with brick and then turned
his attention to Garth, who had
downed Darlington and was beating
him fiercely. With his last brick
Flournoy struck Garth who beat a
retreat. Garth left, vowing venge-
ance upon Flournoy for interfering.
Those who knew Garth's reputa-
tation as a fighter, felt certain of
more trouble, 80 that when, three
weeks later, he sent the students
word to meet him and his friend on
Sunday morning to fight it out,
they were not at all surprised
Flournoy and Darlington armed
themselves, went to the place ap-
pointed for the combat and waited
for several hours, but to no purpose
Early on Monday morning Garth
sent word that if Flournoy came to
town that day he intended whipping
him. Borrowing a bowie knife
from a fellow-student, FlOurnOy, ac-
companied by Darlington, who was
armed with revolver, went to the
old Monticello house, opposite the
Court house. While standing at the
desk, with his back to the door,
Garth, with his brothers and two
friends, walked:up and touching him
on the shoulder, said:
You have got to take a cursing
or fight"
The reply of the wiry little Vir.
ginian was:
81 believe l will fight"
Both drew their long, sharp
knives, and the fight was under way
At almost the first lunge FIournoy's
knife found its way to his opponents
collar bone and glanced. Gradually
he forced Garth out into the street
A moment later he made a desper-
ate lunge at Garth and drove his
knife into the mans right lung, the
point coming out under the shoulder
Garth then broke away and drew 8
revolver. All through the fight VI
to this point, CarrIngton, with drawr
revolver, had kept Garth's friends
from coming to his assistance. DIR
Flournoy af'terward said that thi
saved his life.
In the early part of the figh
Flournoy's knife had cut opel
Garth's front pocket, from which
revolver had fallen out. This wea
pom was picked up by Carringtol
and later, when Garth began firing
Darlington handed the weapon {,
Tourney, who Immediately opened
fire upon Garth and put bullet 1,
his breast. After emptying this wea
pom Flournoy advanced again t,
close quarters. Garth's revolve
was empty and his opponent unhurt
With the blood streaming from hi
breast and side and with Carringtol
standing by with q drawn revolve