The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-22
ORTIZ STEIN IN A NEW ROLE.
Former HOOsier Challenges n Noted
Georgian to Fight Duel.

ATLANTA, Ga, Dec. 21-A challenge to
a duel to the death was given and accepted
in open court in this city yesterday, and
would have been fought last night had not
both parties been taken possession of by
the police. That they will meet tomorrow
is certain, unless the authorities again in
tervene, and this they are not likely to do,
because of the influence of the men in
Volved. Both are now at liberty. The chal-
lenge was given by Col. Orth Stein, the
well-known editor, whose paper a few days
ago severely attacked the local judiciary.
1t was accepted by Maj. Harvey Johnson,
who has just returned after eight years
service as consul general of the United
States to Belgium.
Major Johnson represented Solicitor Cen
eral James F. O'Neil in the proceedings
growing out of the O'Neil assault upon
Stein in a hotel lobby last Saturday, and
during the hearing all the facts in a most
sensational case were brought out. 1t was
shown that six distinguished state officials
had been raided in a poker game a week
ago, and that Editor STEMS published ar
ticle was Il severe criticism of the action
of the local court in dealing with the pris-
oners. O'Neil had met Stein and slapped
his face in public. Mutual friends were try
ing to arrange their differences when both
were arrested for a breach of the peace,
and the case thus reached the court. One
of the most important witnesses was to be
Representative Oliver, of Burke county,
Democratic leader in the Legislature, who
is now dying at a local hospital from an
overdose of morphine. The witnesses who
attended included James II. Blount, the
well-known Georgia politician: Representa-
tive Pierce, Secretary Hardman and others
prominent in political and social life.
Editor Stein stated to the court that he
was prepared to prove every word of his
newspaper statement, and then Attorney
Johnson, speaking in behalf of his client,
made the declaration that Stein was d muir
derer and that his photograph had at one
time appeared in the rogue's gallery in ev
cry city of the country. He accused him of
70 continue when Stein, pale with anger, or
dered him to halt. There was tremendous
confusion in the courtroom, but Major
Johnson raised his voice, and made a most
dramatic arraignment of his journalistic OPP
ponent. The latter took the situation calmly,
and said:
Name your time and place"
Johnson replied that the present time and
that the street in front of the courthouse
would do. The two men pushed their way
through the crowd. Stein with a revolver in
and announced that he was unarmed Stein
aimed at him, hesitated a moment and then
lowered his pistol by which time court Off
GERS had graSped them BOTH Stein turned to
liar, and the latter followed his friends out
of the courtroom. Judge Calhoun imposed a
heavy fine upon Solicitor General ONeil
and discharged Stein.
Representatives of all three men were in
conference last night and there is no doubt
but they will met unon the field Of honor
as soon as preliminarieS can be arranged.
The entire city of Atlanta is aroused and
public feeling is about equally divided. The
murder charge against Stein grows out of
his having killed man in Kansas City
WOO