The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-06-14

Gently Were rendered remarkable by
the full facts, now obtained for the
first time. that one IL the contestants
was a great granddaughter OF Napoleon
Bonaparte, and that his adversaries
We're brothers.
In the woods near the Russian capt.
al, Prince Napoleon Murat. great
grandson OF the famous marshal,
fought Ivan and Paul Piehn, Russian
naval officers, and wounded both The
cause of the duels was given out as
dispute over some business trans
actions. Anyway, the military author
tiles considered the grounds adequate.
Permission to fight the duels being
accordingly given. the prelminaries
We're arranged secretly. A meeting
ground was offered by Prince Belossel-
sky Belozersky. on Kresttoffsky Island.
outside st. Petersburg, where the
American and English colony has q
lawn tennis club and the Russians
play polo. Prince Marat was to ex-
change three shots with one brother.
and subsequently,, If unframed, with
the other
at s o'clock sharp Prince Alurat ar
rived on the scene followed imme-
diately afterwards by the brothers
Plehn. The adversaries nodded in
silence. and barriers were then erect
ed, the distance measured and the
weapons loaded. The principals, di-
vesting themselves of their cloaks.
stood at the barriers. Just then q po-
lice Inspector arrived and began to
expostulate, but soon saw that he could
effect nothing.
The ex-naval officer Plehn and Prince
Murat stood silently facing each other.
In the distance We're an ambulance
carriage, waiting for the wounded,
Prince Murat's brougham, the Plehns's
motor car, and doctors with their in
struments. The word of command was
given, and almost simultaneously two
sharp reports We're heard, When the
smoke lifted both adversaries were
seen standing calmly as before
Again the word Of command rang
out. and two more bullets whizzed by
harmlessly. For a third time shots
were exchanged, and Plehn felt an un-
pleasant sensation in his left leg,
which was found to be bleeding. The
doctor who examined the leg said that
versares then shook hands and retired
from the barriers.
Meanwhile Lieut.. Paul Plehn had
! been smoking a cigarette with his
seconds and watching the combat be-
tween his brother and the prince.
After five minutes interval the lieu
tenant faced the prince. The latter's
first bullet struck one of his epau-
lettes, and the next hit him in the
body.
The doctor examined the wound.
Lie down!" lie down"' he exclaimed.
No, it Is nothing, answered Plehn.
who asked that the duel be continued,
but loud voice called out, The duel
is over. bring Zip a stretcher."
In the pavilion the patient was care
fully tended. while the ambulance car
riage was being driven up
The leutenants wound. which was
afterward carefully examined by sew
eral surgeons. was declared to be very
serious. us the chest had been pierced.
and the bullet had lodged in the liver.
Having inquired into the condition
of his recent adversary. Prince Murat
returned home, had a second break
fast, and went back to the battlefield
and played game Of polo. Reports
OF the deul were made to the Minis
ters OF Marine and War.
Prince Murat. who Is a large land
owner in France and Russia, was for
mery an officer in the French army.
but entered the Russian service sew
eral years 1870, and served In the Jap
anese War. He is famous asa swords
man. The brothers Plehn also served
In the RussoJapnnese War. and Paul
twas with the Grand Duke Cyril as his
aide de camp on board the Petro-
pavlask when Admiral Makaroffs flag
ship was sunk.