Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-04-21
MAY BE A DUEL.

The principals in an affair of honor
now being discussed in Baltimore are to
be>Harry NJ. stratton, manager of the
grain department of Charles R. Lull, a
commission man Of Milwaukee, Wis,
and r. S. Cochran, of The Plains, Va.
Sometime ago Mr.. Stratton sold Mr..
Cochran q car of corn at So cents, de-
livered. TIE corn was shipped at once,
but it was delayed in transit, and when
the car arrived at its destination Mr..
Cochran telegraphed that he would not
accept it at more than so cents bushel,
reduction of s cents from the original
price. Angered by this, Mr.. Stratton
telegraphed at once:
"Your proposition to accept corn at
so cents is highway robbery; you cannot
duplicate corn today under 81 cents;
will not be held up in this manner and
insist upon your accepting corn at con-
tract price or will sell for your account,
under the rule, and collect difference
from you"
Mr. Cochran replied that he consider
ed this telegram as assailing his honor.
Mr.. Stratton answered that in the busl-
ness world men who would default a
contract were considered worse than
highway robbers. Mr.. Cochran wired
that he would pay for the corn in full,
and did so, and then sent the following
letter to Mr.. Stratton;
''The Plains, Va, April Is, 1903
II. NJ. Stratton, Manager Charles h.
Lull. Milwaukee, Wis.@Sir: Your con-
tinued insults as in yours of April
IA, 1908, are noted, and the issue will
be no longer avoided by me. AS early
as my business will permit l will go to
Baltimore and look up r. G. Wells, to
whom you refer. Upon this investiga-
ton, if find that you are gentleman,
will expect you to fight me. Can
YOU arrange to meet me in person in
Baltimore, say April % to "a, or could
r. C. Wells represent your interests
| refer, of course, to coming to definite
understanding as to place where we
shall face each other, weapons, etc. If
above suggestions do not meet your
views. | will say that | will agree to any
reasonable place of meeting, at any
reasonable date, with usual weapons,
Kindly advise me promptly your wishes
in the matter. Believe me, at your
service, Il. ,. COCHRAN
Mr.. Stratton, who is an all round
athlete and game to the core, at once
sent the following reply:
Milwaukee, Wis, April Is, 1903.
r. S. Cochrane, The Plains, Va.
Dear Sir-The receipt Of your highly
esteemed favor of the 18th is hereby ac'
knowledged, and | hasten to accept your
challenge. Up here in the north We
pride ourselves upon our physical man.
hood, and /, therefore, scorn the use o.
weapons other than which the Creator
has given me for the protection of my
honor and my person, and as the chal
lenged party stipulate that we meet un'
armed to fight with bare knuckles, sub
iect to Marquis of Queensberry rules.
will gladly arrange TO meet you at any
convenient point midway between The
Plains, Va, and Milwaukee Gas the
crew hies) at such time as | can convent
emily be spared from my labors, anc
meanwhile you can nurse your wratf
and keep it warm until we meet sin
cerely hope the terms will meet will
your entire approval. | am sir, your
to please, ii. NJ. STRATToN.
In speaking of the affair lastnight MIR
Wells said that he had not as yet re
ceived call from Mr.. Cochran, but that
he would be pleased to meet him anc
talk things over. Hewas rather inclined
to believe that if the two came togethe
they could smooth away differences, ant
that, instead of dual, he would arrang
for the renewal of friendly relations.