Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1902-09-02
CHALLENGE TO A DUEL.

CHALLENGE TO A DUEL.
Mr.. Clarence c. West and party OF
friends returned to Baltimore yesterday
morning from Warrenton, where Mr.
West carried off a number of prizes at
the horse show at that place last week.
He regretted the incident of the collision
between his break and a spring wagon
which occurred one evening on the return
from the horse show, and said that the
report that he was wanting in courtesy
upon that occasion is incorrect.
GAS | was driving my break along the
road. he said, ga collision with a spring
wagon occurred. One ofthe wheels Of the
wagon was broken, but none of the occu-
pants was thrown out Immediately dis
mounted. As did several of our party,
and saw that Mrs. Cochran and another
lady secured buggy in which to drive
home. also offered the colored owner
of the wagon to pay for the damage,
although the accident was as much his
fault as mine. thought the incident
closed, as / had done all that gentle
man could.
"On the following day Mr.. Cochran
came to Mr.. Wyeth's home, where
was stopping, and asked to see me.
After talking with him few moments
he. to my utter surprise, struck me over
the head with loaded whip. Crap
pled with him and Mr.. Wyeth and an
other friend came to my rescue. Al
though had the man down, | did not
strike him, and when Mr.. Wyeth ar
rived on the scene he ordered the man
off the place.
"a man who has reputation in the
neighborhoOd as fighter was sent 10 me
to challenge me to duel with pistols.
| sent back word that the days of duel
ing with pistols were over, but that /
would meet Mr.. Cochran in fist fight.
Of course nothing came Of this. Mr..
Cochran's attack upon me was altogether
uncalled for, as Mrs. Wyeth and the
other ladies of our party know that |
acted as a gentleman should. "
A special dispatch from Warenton
last night says:
"Mr. Maxwell Wyeth came here to-
day and in an interview denies emphatl-
caily that any discourtesy was shown
Mrs. r.. ;. Cochran, of the Plains,
Thursday evening on her return from
the horse show, when the wheel of her
buggy was broken down by his fourth
hand team driven by Mr.. c. c. West,
his partner. Mr.. Wyeth further de
clares that the accident was unavoidable.
After its occurrence he and Mr.. West,
Mrs. Wyeth and others who were on the
coach got down and offered all the as
sistance in their power TO Mrs. Cochran
and the lady who was with her.
"Mr Wyeth atthe time expressed his
regrets, apologized and stated to Mrs.
Cochran that he would pay all damages.
lie invitel both Of the ladies toa seat on
the coach, saying he would carry them
to his home and from there send them
home. They declined, saying they were
afraid.
"Mr. Neville Whiting came up in the
meantime, and the two ladies were
driven to The Plains by Mr.. Whiting.
On Thursday morning, Mr. Wyeth states,
Mr.. Cochran came to his house. lie
met him and remarked: 4 am glad
to see you. suppose you have come
over to see me in regard to the
accident yesterday. Mr.. Cochran
said: Yes; want the particulars
How the accident happened was gone over
carefully by Mr.. Wyeth. When he eonclud-
ed his explanation of il and again expressed
his regrets at its happening Mr.. Cochran
seemed perfectly satisfied.
AT this point Mr.. Cochran wanted to
know who was driving, and when told that
Mr.. West was he asked 10 see him. The con-
versation between Mr.. West and Mr. Cochran
took place some little distance away from
where Mr.. Wyeth and another gentleman
were sitting, Mr. Wyeth having his back 10
them.
AS to the difficulty which followed be-
tween Mr.. West and Mr.. Cochran, Mr.. Wyeth
does not care to be publicly quoted, except
that he thinks the attack was an unwarrantcd
one in view of the fact that Mr. Cochran had
seemed perfectly satisfied with his explana-
ton. "-[Ba sun.