East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1904-12-23

In America, where for almost half
a century the dueling pistol has been
rusting IN its case. where the sword
of outraged reputation remains In the
scabbard and where insult is fol-
lowed Immediately with a blow of the
fist or mere shrug of the shoulder,
vague unreality hovers over affairs
of honor" When one hears Of Hell
delberg or any of the great German
universities one is wont to associate
1t with broadswords, and If one sees
Scared face, one is apt to think OF
Heidelberg. In American streets one
who has had ones cheeks laid open
with u razor-bladed sword, is bound
to attract more than passing notice.
DR.. H. Volp recently arrived in
Pendleton from Burns, Ore. for the
purpose of practicing medicine and
surgery here, is German and an
alumnus of Heidelberg. No better
certificate of the fact that he was a
course student is needed, than the
livid marks across his clean-shaven
cheeks. The doctor is a tall, mild
hammered man. with touch of grey
in his hair. He is of pleasing person.
ality, and his voice has that peculiar
rythmic sound of the German whose
English is perfect.
II am pleased with Pendleton," re-
marked the doctor. ut is q city of
promise and l think shall like it.
desire my business close at hand. In
Harney county, the physician consid-
ers 35 miles a short call. A ride of
125 miles to attend patient, have
experienced. In Harney county there
is more need of surgeon than of
physician. During the several years
1 spent there, 1 averaged about two
gunshot cases every 80 days. Such
affairs were generally post mortems
when l arrived for the stockman of
Harney shoots with a steady hand
and a deadly aim."
Before going to Burns DR.. Volp
practiced in Portland, but was obliged
to seek a higher altitude on account
of his wife's health. She was suffer-
ing with tubercular trouble. MRS.
Volp," said her husband. sis now in
excellent health. The high, barren
location of Burns is an ideal abode
for those suffering from tuberculosis
or any form of lung trouble"
The doctor went so far as to de-
clare that there were places in Ore
gon, even superior to Colorado and.
Arizona for the treatment of con-
sumption. For the nervous forms of
the disease" he said, climate like
that of Burns is better than the dry
atmosphere of the southwest. Right
here In Pendleton the high altitude is
beneficial to consumptives."
OF dueling in the German universi-
ties, one is tempted to inquire of the
doctor. There are 21 large universi-
ties" he answer, land on an average
of 5000 duels are yearly fought among
the students. 1t appears disgusting
and absurd to me now when think
of the fights and my scars have been
the means of much annoyance.
"It is a peculiar fact that American
students are the most enthusiastic
duelists in the German universities.
The Mexicans are possibly next, while
the Englishman generally keeps out
of them, and is at best a poor swords
man. Why, 1 know Chicagoan
named Woods, who had 81 engage
ments during his student days. and
whose face is frightful to behold
The doctor, himself, fought 81, and
he has but to push back his iron
grey locks to display the effects OF
broadsword cuts on his skull.
"But, with all the apparent childs
play and umnecessaryness in sword
fighting" explained the Heidelberg
man, his face lighting with enthusiasm
and feeling for his alma mater, lit
serves to broaden the shoulders and
bronze the face of more than one pale
faced German youth, and put in him
the spirit of the soldier and the cour-
age of manhood"