The Minneapolis journal., 1903-03-10
HOW TO WRITE A STORY
a Chicago Reporter Who Shows
How the Fake Article Is
Thrown o#> ~
New York Sun Special Service.

New York Sun Special Service.
Chicago, March 10.-An. energetic re-
porter was expected to announce to- day,
that a duel was fought this morning by
George H. Wagoner a contractor, and
James M. Johnson, representative Of "a,
meat firm. One of the principals may
consent to say he was wounded. The re-
porter arranged a picturesque story of a
challenge isued by Wagner at a celebra-
ton. Of the opening Of a cafe in Quincy
street Saturday night and an account Of
the gauntlet by Johnson on the spot. It
suited the convenience of the writer to set
the duel for this morning. .- :.
Wagner is the contractor who had
charge Of the interior finishing work of
the new cafe and Johnson sells meat to
the establishment. r. L. Jones, an at
tache of Armour & Co., who have busi-
was scheduled as Wagoner's second, and
Harry Moore, connected with down. town
bank, was deputed to act for Johnson.
Both principals last night spoke guard
edly Of the proposed encounter. Jones
said he did not know Wagner, but was
acquainted with Johnson. Wagner said
he was to meet his second at the cafe
at 8 o'clock last night, but he was not
there at that hour, though Johnson and
Jones were.
J. e. Harnott, proprietor of the place,
was questioned. He admitted there had
been a fuss in the cafe Saturday night,
but said no duel was proposed. Manager
o. V. Harter asserted there was no chal-
lenge, and when pressed, said he regarded
the whole matter as hoax.
A number Of people were greatly inter
ested in seeing what kind Of a, yarn the
romancer would spin. It was as follows
and caused a laugh:
49, The Way 1t Was Written.
Two determined men of southern blood and
bound by honor to uphold the traditions Of their
section seem likely to meet in deadly combat
somewhere in the suburbs of the city, probably
South Chicago, this morning. A challenge to 8
duel has been passed and accepted. One man is
evidently determined. The other is said to have
| regarded 1t as joke at first, but to have taken
more serious view later, and announced his de-
termination Of giving his opponent satisfaction
| If he really seeks it. The affair grew out, OF
! q quarrel between James -Johnson,aa salesman fol
| a large meat house, and George H. Wagner
| a wealthy contractor, at wine party given at
| cafe i'll Quincy street carly Sunday morning.
sHave mint julep with me- said Wag
| oner.s .e.'e ..-... .s..,5 5.Es, h. 8 .-.s
ST guess I'll take wine," replied Johnson.
"You guess again." said Wagner.
"This seems to be a wine party; I don't SEE
why l should take plebeian mint juleps.'' wa,
| Johnson's response. 5.
.'Who dares call a mint julep plebeiaI
| drink? Aren't you true son of the south
where did you learn to disgrace your nation
| ality and prefer g foreign concoction of crap,
| and fizz to the grandest drink ever invented b,
! man? If you don't drink mint julep you g.
to the carpet with pe,' said Wagner, witt
rising wrath. .- "
'I'll go to the carpet with you or, give 70,
any other mode of satisfaction you want IL
| fight you in room four by four feet square
| pistols across handkerchief Is none too stron,
| for me-" was the heated rejoinder OF johnson.
| Make it pistols, then,'' said the first man.
| ''I agree, at any old time or place. sal
! the othest
Other remarks said to have passed, bu
! the mint julep incident was the direct caus
Of the challenge Wagner says his part was In
/ tended in all seriousness, and that he propose
I to carry it out IL the other principal come
to time and the seconds make the arrangement
Itagreed on before the party broke up. ID
/ thorough search Of downtown cafes an
other resorts last night was made to find tn
principals and seconds but up to midnight ha
4 been unsuccessful.