Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1897-04-30
A FURIOUS SWORD FIGHT.
Marvellous Skill and Sand Displayed at
the Thcmeguex-Pina Duel In Paris.

| a FURIOUS SWORD FIG1I,
tIa rvelous Skill and Sand Displayed at
the Themeguex-Pina Duel In Paris.
On the very same day that the Cor
bett- Fitzsimmons match was fought at
Carson City, English fashion, the Pari-
slams enjoyed famous fight, French
fashion, in the duel between the great
Italian fencing MASTER the Chevalier
PM, and M. Thomeguex, a renowned
Partisan swordsman. A brief mention
Of the affair was cabled to the news
papers here, in which it was treated
rather lightly. But in reality il was a
desperate fight, in which marvellous
masses Of fencing were displayed. 1t
vas a nine bout battle and lasted more
than 40 minutes. It's semi-international
character gave il considerable addition
al interest. 1t was witnessed by host
of sightseers, all gathered near the stand
Of the Saint Ouen race course. H. the
crowd were many photographers taking
snap shots, and one Of them had kinet-
oscope, which took in the combat from
start to finish, just as in the case Of
Corbett and Fitzsimmons. The cause Of
the duel was trivial, and it is now adj
mitted that it was a case Of mistaken
identity.
At about p. m. the principals, with
their seconds and surgeons, arrived.
PM was first upon the ground. He ap-
peared to be delighted and warmly
shook the hands of many friends, while
the photographers opened fire upon him,
taking him in front, in the rear and on
the flank. Immediately afterward Tho
meguex appeared. He was smiling, and,
like PM. greeted his friends. while the
snap shooters aimed at him.
The grave responsibility Of directing
the combat, or, in other words, acting
as referee, fell upon NJ. Georges BRETT
mayer. When the swords were crossed
and the usual $50, gentlemen" was
pronounced, the fight began. NJ. Tho
meguex, in a threatening style, held his
weapon well in line, and, advancing,
made several feints for an opening. NJ.
PM remained on the defensive, evil
IDENTIFY watching for a chance for u
deadly riposte, but fortune did not favor
him. Nevertheless, in this bout he dis
armed his adversary. He saluted, his
salute was returned and the battle was
renewed with vigor Evidently the men
were evenly matched. The second bout
was without incident, beyond giving an
exhibition of splendid workmanship.
In the third bout Thomeguex, fancy
ing that he had wounded PM in the
arm, lowered his weapon. The surgeons
rushed in and found that PM was not
touched.
The fourth bout was furious. With
lightning rapidity PM drove his weap-
ON at Thomeguex' 5 chest, but yigor-
Gus parry sent it to the ground Tho
point landed on a stone. The sword was
bent like a reed and rendered worthless.
Another sword was handed to the Ital-
ian professor, and the fifth bout was
without incident. The combatants were
winded.
In the sixth bout the fight was stop.
ped by the seconds, who believed that
NJ. PM was wounded in the arm. He
was unhurt.
The duelists now faced each other
for the seventh bout They bounded at
each other, !unging with wonderful
force and parrying with equal skill un-
til the point of Pini's weapon reached
the guard Of Thomeguex's, and for the
second time the formers weapon was
bent
After n little time it was repaired
and the eighth bout was begun with flu
rious attacks on the part Of Thomeguex.
PM gave ground, watching for ri
poste Apparently his chance presented
itself, and he sent in a terrific thrust at
Thomeguex' breast. Some Of the spec
tators shuddered, and many Of them
Thought that the man had been run
through, or at least badly wounded, but
parry that is described as "some-
thing marvellous by the experts who
saw it saved him, and when the sec
onds and surgeons rushed in they found
him unhurt and smiling.
In the ninth bout NJ. Thomeguex was
wounded in the right cheek. He de-
clared that it was merely a scratch and
insisted upon going on, but the surgeons
declared that the internal hemorrhage
interfered with his breathing to such a
degree that he was in condition Of in
feriority. NJ. Breittmayer then stopped
the combat.
The Cheyalier PM advanced toward
NJ. Thomeguex and offered him his
hand. The latter grasped it, muttered
some complimentary remarks, and the
two men left the dueling ground fast
friends. New York Sun.