Evening journal., 1897-02-10
TROOPERS FIGHTADUEL
The Motive Was Love and Sa-
bers Were the Weapons.
EACH A sUIToR FOR KATIE MEDLER
Cavalrymen Howard and Leahy Were
Bosom Friends TIL Jealousy Made Them
Bitter Enemies, and Then They Fought
FieTcely-Leahy Was Wounded.

WEST POINT n. Y, Feb. l0.-John
Ieahy and Perly Howard. two troopers in
Uncle Sans cavalry detachment station
ed here, fought duel with sabers Sunday
night for pretty little Katie Medler, the
blacksmith's 5 daughter.
The warriors bold had long been friends,
and the chain would still remain unbro-
ken were it not for the little fairhaired
beauty who captured the hearts Of the
dashing troopers.
1t had been noticed in the messroom foi
several weeks that Leahy and Howard
were not as confidential with each other as
they used to be. The men were formerly
like twin brothers. Wherever Howard
went Leahy was sure to go.
Matters reached "a crisis Saturday night,
when the engineers gave their grand an
nual ball in the band barracks. Katie was
Of course invited, and John Leahy, dress
ed in a brand new uniform, was on hand
early Co act as her escort.
Perly Howard got there few minutes
later, and it was with anger he watched
his rival take the fair katies arm while
helping her over the mud puddles TO the
ballroom and then bear her triumphantly
through the grand march. Nobody will
ever know the anguish of heart suffered
by the susceptible Howard on that event
full night.
Katie smiled on the handsome Leahy
all the evening" and it was he who escort
ed her home from the ball The men met
next day but did not speak. BY this time
the whole company had become aware OF
the mems estrangement, and some one
jokingly suggested a duel.
The cavalrymen exercise with the sabers
IN, tho ba,.-a ol-e ocoo oiora1lxr offpr. ctrrror
and it was arranged to bring Leahy aud
Howard together Sunday night A better
time could hardly have been selected. On
account of the weather all the officers kept
indoors and the noncommissioned officers
were in their quarters.
Seconds on Hand.
1t was D. m. when the men with theiI
seconds arrived at the point selected.
Charley Wreith and Bill Sissy, both
troopers, were the seconds. Two or three
comrades stood around to see that no one
interfered and that the gallants got faiI
play The weapons were tested according
to the dueling code.
After the usual preliminaries each mar
drew his formidable cavalry saber and
swished it through the air. Then they
came down to business.
Leahy's saber flew around his head lik'
the fans of a windmill. Howard's eye
,sparkled as he coolly held his guard anS
calculated how long it would be before hi
antagonists 5 arm grew tired He was ou
for blood and meant to get it.
At last Leahy's blade swung slower anC
slower, his breath came rapidly.
The time for vengeance had at last ar
rived With one sharp sweep Howard sen
Leahy's saber flying and left him defense
less With the return sweep his sharp ant
heavy weapon caught Leahy on the Iii
and cut It through as clean as a surgeon
knife could have done it.
Lenhy dropped his saber and yelle
"Murderl" All rushed to his assistance
and the seconds tried to stanch the blood
Their Efforts were fruitless, and it wa
soon seen that Leahy would bleed TO deat
unless he had proper surgical attention.
As the cadet hospital was most conv,
nient the wounded man was taken there
and his lips were sewed up by the surgeon
He was asked how he had received his IN
Jury, and he told the doctor that he got
accidentally while fencing with Howard.
Miss Medler, while bemoaning Leahy
misfortune, is the happiest and most ell
We'd girl on the post. Both Howard an
Leahy are on the sick list, the former froI
nervousness, because he came so near xii
ing his rival and former friend.