The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-07-25
KENTUCKY PIRSr DUEL,
An international Encounter. In which an
Englishmnn Came to Grief.

LEXINGTON. KY, July CAN old letter,
which has just come to light and was written
by John Ross Of Paris, Ky, under date OF Feb.
1s, 1872, gives an account OF probably the first
duel ever fought in Kentucky. II 1t is not the
first It is at least the most remarkable encoun-
tor that has taken place on Kentucky soil. Mr..
Ross says:
ION the first Jay OF November, 1911, James
Allen OF kentuckysand the subscriber met with
Thomas Fuller. an Englishman. and his CON-
pany, at a small branch between the United
States Saline Salt Works and Fort Massack.
Making a stop at that place, Messrs. Allen and
Fuller entered into a conversation which led to
a very serious rencontro. After learning the
name, nation, and residence OF each other, Full
Ter asked Allen IL the Kentuckians were anxious
for q war with England. Allen replied they
wero warm for war. Fuller said they need not
be. for one Englishman could drive five Ken
tuckians. Allen thought one Englishman could
not drive one Kentuckian, and was willing. as
one of each was present, 10 have tho thing
done in an honorable way; Lo would fight with
pwSiob Allan 1ilen" w,s a SpeuS 'F Fn,lI nac Ana Apart, to
In earnest, said hG thought IL too sayaRelike 10
stand SO near each other, and proposed that they
should choose seconds and take distance ten
steps apart. This proposition was agreed to,
and, the proliminaries. settled; but Fuller said
he had a wife near Pittsburg, and before they
fought ho would go aside and write a few lines
tn her, 80 that II any accident should happen 10
him she might know IL. He went, and returned
in "A short time ready for action.
'"rhe combatants then took the places as
signed them, and at the word they both fired,
and Fuller fell, having received tho bali OF
his antagonist in. his left breast; but not an.
pearing % be much hurt he proposed another
round. They then proceeded to fire again, upon
which Fuller fell a second time and declined
fighting any more, and was found to have re-
cciyed the second ball in his breast, within an
tnch of the first.
ALLEN was surprised to find that the.balls
had not taken effect, and suspecting some
stratagem no protested he would kill Fuller
on the spot unless ho would fight again or ao-
knowledge himself u coward. Fuller, rather
than smell powder again, would submit TO any
thing. His Jacket was then unbuttoned and to
the establishment OF the beholders u Dutch
blanket was discovered In eight folds, and one
blanket, both between his waistcoat and shirt.
and upon lifting up tho blanket tho two balls
were found. having penetrated through the
eight folds OF the blanket and were lodged on
the paper. His breast, Notwithstanding tho
fertilization, wns very much bruised and black,
and no appeared considerably injured.
"Allen received no material injury, The first
bali struck between his feet and the secnn na
graZed The skin On the side Of his head, And
thus ended IA contest which proved the superi.
GRITTY OF che Kcntuckian, ANA exposed the boast.
ing, inperious Englishmun to eternal con.
tempt and disgrace. And II ID highly probable
from his own story and conduct that this same
Fuller Is employ cd To do business for the British
In the Western country and among the Indians.
The subscriber was the second of Mr.. Allen and
Is willing TO attest tho truth OF The facts above
stated. He Is now on his way home, which IL
on Brush Creek, in the state ofohio.
JOHN Ross