Smyrna times., 1905-09-20
REMARKABLE DUELS.
Fantastic Contests That Tried Men,
Nerve and Courage.

Fantcst Contests That Tried Mems
Nerve and Courage. -,
Two heavy weights suspended from
beam by slender cords were the
weapons chosen by two Parisians NAM =.
ed Durier and Voisin to terminate
their rivalry for the hand of a pretty
actress. Beneath a weight each took
his stand, there to remain until the
breaking of one or the other of the
cords should decide his fate. For more
than four hours they remained motion
less, when the cord attached to Du-
rier's weight snapped, and the ponder
Gus mass of metal, falling upon the
man beneath, struck him to the ground
Fortunately, however, it just missed
his head, and he escaped with no worse
damage than severe shock and a bro
ken collar bone.
Somewhat prolonged was the duel
waged a few years back at we'll
known Yorkshire seaside resort. to de-
eide which of two young men should
surrender his claim to the hand of q
local publican's daughter. The rivals
both prided themselves upon their ma
tatory prowess, so it was agreed that
he who should first miss his mornings
swim in the open should withdraw his
! pretension to the lady's hand. For nine
months and more each took his matu-
final swim, but at length there came
day of such furious storm that one
| turned faint hearted and refused to
dare the tempestuous pillows. The 9th
er, however, at considerable risk, dash
ed into the fOaming sea, and, although
he was badly cut and bruised, emerged
a triumphant wOOer.
Another aqueous duel occurred some
years since, the location being the lake
of Geneva and the contestants Swiss
named Zellner and one Lenoir, a
Frenchman, who agreed that he who
could remain the longest beneath the
surface of the water should without in
terruptiOn or hindrance from the other
be permitted to pay his addresses to
the daughter of a wealthy tradesman.
The rivals dived simultaneously, and
more than two minutes elapsed ere
Zellner's head appeared above the sur
face. There was no sign, however, of
his rival, after whom when yet an.
other two minutes had sped q couple
of onloOkers dived and succeeded in
recovering his senseless body. Restora
tives were successfully applied, and OIL
LenOir's recovering consciousness hC
was acclaimed the victor
At the time of Sussi's forty day fas
at the Westminster aquarium, some
years ago, a couple of young Mancuni
ans agreed by emulating his example
to decide which of them should frs
propose for the hand of girl who hat
hitherto regarded them with seem
ingly impartial affection. Four day
was sufficient ordeal for one, who, re
fusing any longer to abstain iron
food, left the field clear to his riva
whose proposal, however, met wit
scant consideration from the lady, VIII
declared that she would not intrust be
future to the keeping of such a foo
as he had proved himself. Needless t
say his rivals reception was equal
glacial.
During a very severe winter in th
, last century a couple Of Germans, nj
: tives of Dresden, resolved for love {
. n woman to fight duel to the dealt
! Very fantastic was the method en-
, ployed Without provision of any kin
and clad only in the llghtest of clothe
!. they went out into the country. thel
4 to remain without shelter until one {
n other of them should succumb to IL
q cold. Three days after their departul
% a wretched object crawled back In
;. the town. Ten miles distant his rivs
. frozen to death, lay beneath the fallir
cDOvv T opdop Tif-Rftc