The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-07-08
WANTED TO FIGHT A DUEL.
4 Pennsylvania Farmer Arrested
md PM in JnfI.

NILLIAMSPORT, Pa. July SIS P.
StryIzer, farmer, residing near South
WiIBamsport. is a prisoner in the county
Jail here for challenging d man to fight a
duel At a hearing before Alderman
AIoorehead Saturday night Stryker,
though quite weIl-to-do and able to fur
nish any desired amount of bail. refused
to permit bail TO be taken for him.
The offence FOR which Stryker was ar
rested is unique in the annals of Penn
syIvauia, ard the fact that he sens the
chaIIenge to fight a duel through the mail
has also made him liable to prosecution
by the United States authorities. The man
whom Stryker desired to do battle with
is Reuben Benin, special officer for the
local branch of the Society for the Pre-
veutiOB Of Cruelty to Animals. and ex-
member Of the WilIiamspoTt police force
Several days ago Eehru arrested a son Of
StTykeT's for alleged abuse of q horse
with which he was drawing a heavy load.
Young Stryker was taken before q magiS-
traJs and fine Of so was imposed upon
him
The senior STRIKER had to pay the fine
TO keep his son from going to Jail He
was muCn inceused. and abused Benin for
the part he took in the matter. Saturday
morning officer Benin received il his mail
under date OF South WilHamSpOTt an en-
VcIOpe containing the following challenge
to light with pistols
Reuben Benin: You done me dirt by
prosecuting nv son Yesterday am q
poor man and cannot take it TO court.
But If you are no coward you viii meet
me ia South WiIliamsport and fight a
duel with Smith x Wessou revolvers. at
thirteen PAGES distance You are no gen
tlemau. or YOU would not have done this
s. there is but one way to settle this dis
pute, and that is by meeting me as stated
above You are coward if YOU DO not
take me up s. Z. STRIKER"
Ts-tH C4r--l-o-
middle age They have long been &C
QuaiHtcd- Benin had no desire to accept
the challenge 10 fight. and instead went
before Alderman Moorehead and SUOrg
The charge preferred was OF -.chaIIeng-
ing to fight duel upon the soil OF Bur
bingham. commonly known a 5 South VIII
Transport The charge IS in accordance
with an act Of Assembly passed in 1860
and il was some time before the author
tiles could ind the law from which to
frame the Indictment
\ constable arrested Stryker and
making sure that he had no fiTearm
about him with which to attempt the
life OF Benin the constable took him to
the aIderman's Office When asked to
plead TO the charge StTyker declared
Yes, I sent that letter 10 Benin. and
! mean every word that it contains. ]
always keep my promises, and viii
fight Benin with pistols at any time or
place that he may name
The alderman then informed liIG that
n il-tt1 tDiEliI4ttttl 4 SCI 4'A-5 FElf'EE'st
against the laws Of the Commonwealth
and nc would be required to furnish 81,
90 bail for appearance at next term OF
court for trial. Il viii furnish no bail. -"
angrily exclaimed Stryker. You must
send me TO Jail. l mean to have my
rights"
The proceedings against Stryker are
based upon the provision Gan act ap-
proved March z. 1860. which follows: II
anv person within this Commonwealth
shall challenge another by word or
writing to fight with sword, TapieT pis-
toll, or other deadly weapon. or if any
person shall give or send any such ChaI-
lenge ne shall be guilty Of a misdemcau-
OF and if convicted thereof. shall be SEN
fenced to pay a fine of $3.50 and to an
dergo an imprisonment at separate and
solitary confinement at labor not ex-
ceeding three years