The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-07-25
CHALLENGED TO FIGHT
THE MAYOR OF DURHAM ASKED TO RE-
COGNIZE THE CODE.
If Not Accepted Street Fight May Possibly
Be the Result--The Movement of the
City's Busy Throng.

Be the ResuIt--The Movement of the
Cty's Busy Throng.
Durham, n. c., July 24-(SpeciaD-
, Durham has exploded that old saying
that there is nothing new under the
SUM-" In the midst of the scramble of
the pie-hunting brigade and the cry Of
hard times in the face of McKinley's
promised prosperity wave, citizen of
( Orange county comes to Durham and
with his own hand serves a challenge to
fight a duel upon the Mayor of Durham.
This bit of news was kept profound
secret but last night it leaked out Last
Wednesday evening Mr.. Joseph II.
Shields came here from his home in Or
ange county. During the evening he
quietly wendell his way to the livery
stable on Parrish street where he found
Mr.. Moses e. McCown, Mayor of Dur
ham. Without any ado he handed him
note saying, 'Please read that and
give me an answer" To the surprise of
Mayor McCown, it was found to be a
formal but unmistakable challenge to
fight duel. 1t charged McCown with
grossly insulting the sender and called
upon him to name the time, place and
weapons to be used. There could be no
doubling its true meaning. l have not
been able to learn what the Mayor is
going to do about it. He comes of fight
/ ing stock and is a man of undoubted
courage. Nobody here would even ac-
cuse Moses McCown of cowardice. But
owing to his kindheartedness and genial
and urbane manners, his life has been q
remarkably peaceful one.
Joseph III. Shields, the sender of the
challenge, is about 55 years old, some
ten years the senior of the man he wants
to fight. He was a brave Confederate
soldier and is decidedly of a pugilistic
turn of mind, having been frequently
engaged in that pastime. He is kind
hearted and generous to fault, but has
been unfortunate and has now reached
that point in life where there are not
many charms along his pathway.
AT the June term of Durham Superior
Court the case of Shields VS.. the city of
Durham was tried. Counsel for the city
persisted in putting Mayor McCown on
the stand as character witness. His tes-
timony was very unsatisfactory to
Shields, and hence the challenge. Shields
and McCown. are relatives, and for that
reason the former thinks his kinsman
should not have been a witness against
him. / learn that Shields is very angry
and refuses to be placated. What the
result will be is hard to tell If the chal-
lenge is allowed to pass unnoticed a
street fight will likely follow. Both are
powerful men physically, and an en-
counter will not be childs' play.
An excursion train came in from
hn 81.
crowded with happy eXcursionists.
Mr.. James A. Robinson is ONE FIR I'm
Norfolk, whera he has been Spending
some days pleasure seeking.
Major Leo d. Heartt has gone to
Morehead.
Mr.. and Mrs. w. NJ. Morgan have gone
to Morehead for a stay of several weeks.
Mrs. George Flemming and children
are here from Kinston on visit to Mr..
and Mrs. w. r. Beasley.
The town is full of watermelons and
the colored people are happy.
Mr.. Joseph H.: Allen will soon move to
Mullins, s. c., where he will engage in
the tobacco business.
Miss Carrie Herndon has returned
from the Summer School at Chapel Hill.
In June she completed the course in the
Tenth grade at the graded school. In
short time she will begin teaching, for
which she is admirably fitted both by ma
ure and training.
Mrs. NJ. l.. Hobgood has gone to Gar
ner on a visit.
Mr.. Fred T.. Hunter is home from
Newbern.
Miss Bette Clark is here from Halifax
on visit to the Misses Saunders.
Mrs. w. III. Branson has returned from
Greensboro.
Mrs. III. l.. Clifton has been here from
Faison on visit TO her father, Mr.. j.
T. Giddens.
Mr. and Mrs. b. N. Duke, Master
Angler and Miss Mary Duke went down
to Carey this morning to spend the day
with relatives.
Miss Carlotta Angler, who has been
spending the week with Miss Rosa
Green, went to her home in Carey this
morning.
Mr.. S. M. Gattis was here from Hills
boro yesterday.
Col. J. S. Call and Mr.. Marion Carr
| eturned this morning from Washington,
D. G.
Mrs. r. T. Morris has been quite sick
for several days at her home on Cleve-
land street.