Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1898-07-14

SO much has been said and written
lately about the fancy Magruder trag-
edy, which occurred in Calvert county,
Nd, in 1925 or 1926, | think it time
some one OF Judge Taney's friends
should write the exact truth My
mother, Miss Brooke born in 1916. re-
membered Mr. fancy and all about the
affair perfectly | have heard her tell
OF 1t many times. Not long before her
death, July, 1898, she repeated it in
the presence Of number of friends,
the conversation having turned upon
judge fancy. / will give her words as
nearyl as possible
A number of gentlemen were dining
with Mr., Michael fancy after a fox
hunt. One Benjamin Magruder lifted
his glass and offered an insulting
toast to young lady. Mr. fancy, not
being the violent-tempered man repre-
scented, but quick to resent n wrong,
said; Mr. Magruder, gentlemen DO
not mention a lady's name when no
ladies are present" Magruder replied
'Ah is she lady, or your light o
love?' Mr. fancy sprang TO his feet.
and they srappled but friends
separated them. The duel was ar
ranged in good faith by both parties.
but their seconds did not put balls In
the pistols All walked out on the
lawn. where the firing resulted without
harm to either. Both Mr.. fancy and
Magruder were surprised. The latter
took in the situation first, and with
very significant laugh accused Mr.
fancy Of being a party to the decep-
ton. Throwing his handkerchief down,
he dared Mr.. fancy to fight him across
it. They faced each other but their
friends again interfered. Then MIR
Magruder called Mr.. fancy a name not
for me to speak Mr. fancy then sprang
on md stabbed him.
When the party realized the truth,
no one was more distressed than Mr.
fancy. For days he neither slept nor
ate, but remained in his own house,
with open doors, refusing to fly. The
jury of Inquest gave a verdict OF man
slaughter The sheriff made several
attempts to arrest him. Mr. fancy
told him from the hall of his home
to kill him, but he would never be
taken alive. Finally, urged on by Ma
gruder's friends, the sheriff summoned
help Mr. Taney's friends then induced
him TO leave. My mother, then a child
OF nine or ten years, was out In her
fathers barn, hunting eggs, when she
came upon Mr.. fancy asleep on bed
Of straw. She ran to the house, met
her father coming out, told him Of
seeing Mr.. T. He explained the stu
alton, impressing upon her the con
sequences if she told anyone what she
knew. That night he, with other
friends, took Mr. fancy across the
Patuxet river to his brothers, Mr..
Thomas fancy, who lived near what Is
now Trent Hall He reached Loudoun
county, Va, in safety, where he spent
the remainder Of his life.
The young lady who was the inno-
cent cause of this trouble was about
sixteen Her mother, a near relative
Of Mrs. fancy, unfortunately, married
below her social position. Her hus-
band died, leaving her in destitute
circumstances, with this one child
Her family connection, large and
prominent, wished to provide for her,
but her pride rebelled She supported
herself and child by going among her
relatives, assisting with the house
keeping and in many other things
which in those days received the per-
sonal attention Of the ladies in their
homes She was always looked upon
and treated as social equal and with
the greatest respect After Mrs Ia
ney's death she spent one or two
months each year experimenting and
arranging Mr.. Taney's household, and
was there, with her daughter, at the
time of the tragedy. Not one word of
disrespect concerning mother or
daughter was ever heard except those
uttered by Benjamin Magruder, who
was in the habit Of making disrespect-
ful remarks about women, and had Mr..
fancy not killed him 1t is more than
likely some other would
There is not one word Of truth in
the statement that Mr. fancy had paid
marked attention to this child. This
fiction, which so many tell for fact,
is found only in a novel by james
Hugerford. From 1t also the impress
sion Of Mr. Taney's violent temper
comes. This book the family laughed
over, never thinking anyone would
consider IT truth. MIR. fancy was the
reversal genial, high-toned, honor
able man but when aroused b.
wrong, quick to act. The whole coun-
~ was in sympathy with Mr. fancy,
except the Magruder connection.
This statement is perfectly correct,
and as near as possible is given In my
mothers exact words. My cousin, Mr..
Thomas II, Bond, HOLLYWOOD. st Mary
county will give you the same ac-
ppuut He Information 49,. r.o.g..-a /