Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-10-09

barbaric practices. The public press
fought for laws that would make a
death at the hands of another on the
field next to murder. Laws We're en-.
acted in all the States so stringent ON
principals and seconds that duels be-
came unpopular Burke's challenge 10
Parker grew out of political quarrel.
Parker then did not know Burke was a
defaulter for more than 81 000, 600, but
when the smoke of the pistols was
swept away the theft became known.
Dueling island, near Vicksburg, Is the
most famous spot for meetings of gen.
tlemen of any place On the American
continent. Sergeant S. Prentice fought
five duels there. Mcdonald killed two
men within ten feet of each other.
Alexander II. McKlung slaughtered six
opponents. McCardle had his two
bloodless fights there King used to
have sword duel there nearly every
morning before breakfast. Twenty men
in all have been borne from the field 10
undertaking shops in Vicksburg and
three times that number have been
taken to hospitals or to their homes
with wounds since the capricious river
made the island.
And speaking of Mcdonald, suggestr
a short reeital of his tragic life. He
removed to Vicksburg about the sams
time that Prentice, Youngblood ana
Marshall did. The four were from
Massachusetts,, having graduated in the
same class from Bowdoin college. They
went South without money and with
out friends, All the world knows OF
Prentice. Marshall became the most
famous of theological writer's on Meth
odism in the South Youngblood was
a brigadier general of the Confederacy
and a gallant one at that. He died in
California six years ago. Mcdonald
was cashier of d small bank. He
was somewhat Of puritan. He did not
believe in quarrels and did nc hesitate
to express his displeasure at the Gus
tom of dueling One day he got a chalI
lence He ignored il. Then society igi
nored him. He brooded over the mat
ter and avoided his friends. Finally
he wrote the challenger a note. He
had changed his mind. He would fight
him ana he did. His emery was killed
at the fist shot. Mcdonald then be-
came hang man. He courted
trouble hereas before he had been
one of the most placid of characters.
His friends were afraid to meet him
either in a business or a social way and
soon he became a reciuse. lie died OF
nervous prostration.
But the most tragic OF all Nicksburg's
famous duels was one fought by the pres
ent criminal district Judge of that cir
cult, w X. McLaurin, who was appoints
ed TO the place by his brother. the COVER
nor. McLaurin was struggling young
lawyer fifteen years ago. The circuit
clerk of the court was a young man by
the name Of Scurlock. Tho two had
grown up together nea. Brandon, and had
been warm friends. A case in court one
day estranged them. McLaurin became i'll
after an alteration with the clerk. Sour
lock, II seems told it about town that
McLaurin was not sick; he was simply
feigning fitness because of his fear of
him. McLaurin heard OF the remark and
sent for Scurlock to come to his room,
The meeting was very short.
Now, Billy" McLaurin said TO him.
you know that l am not coward, |
know that you are not. How are wa
going to settle it2'
ANY way to suit yourself" was the am
swer.
well" replied McLaurin. tomorrow
is Sunday. l am still u pretty sick man.
but I will be strong enough in a few
hours TO get out of bed. You know where
the water tank isl All right. win you
meet me there at sunup with a double-
barrelled shotgun? Very well. Good
day"
The meeting took place. Tho mistake
that Scurlock made was in raising his
weapon to his shoulder to fire McLaurin
fred his gun from his hip scurlocks
head was almost torn from his shoulders.
McLaurin was never prosecuted
In this city there lives Jamison Rail,
nephew OF Alexander *. McKlung. who
was the most picturesque Of all southern
duellists. Mr.. Ball told mo story of
his uncle the other day that seems to be
new. Mcklung was an orator and 4
statesman. lie was q poet and loved tho
beautiful But his blood always seemed
on fire. He would challenge nm enemy
on the slightest provocation After hav-
ing killed his four or five men he became
a candidate for the United States Senate
and was ANONYMOUSLY beaten. The day
following the ballots he dressed himself
with exquisite care and went TO his room.
Ife cut q groove in a pine board ana
made a round basin at one end for his
head 10 rest in. a water bucket was
placed beneath the end Of the board Hs
had made these arrangements 80 that
when he shot himself the blood would
not get on his clothing or soil the bed
sheets. lie used his famous duelling DER
ringer aud when the report OF the pistol
attracted the attention OF the hotel en-
poyes and they got TO his room he was
dead On a table near by was found this
Invocation TO Death" the paper still
wet with ink when he ared the fatal bull
let:
Swiftly speed over the waste OF time.
Spirit OF death
In manhoOd's morn. IN youthful prime
I WOO thy breath,
For the glittering hues Of hope have fed,
Like the Goiphin's Hghl.
And dark are the clouds above my head
As the starters night.
As the galley slave yearns for the night
wind breath
And the tired OK tor the shades Of burn
Ing noon,
So docs my heart cry for thee cod
death, cold death
Come soon. come soon.
-Chieago Chronicle
Won't you have another cup Of coffeef
no.