Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-04-18


tragedy.
But the hour of the tragedy had not vet
come. 1t was to be preceded first by bit
OF comedy in which Judge Henry P. Coon
played the leading role. Martin j. Burke
Chief of Police of San Francisco, had
made up his mind that Broderick and
Terry were mistaken in thinking they
were going to fight duel. As the seconds
We're fussing over the pistols and the ar
morer was figuring out the etiquette
proper for his part of the proceeding,
Chief Burke was having warrants made out
for the arrest of the dueists. He even took
the precaution to secure warrants from
San Mateo County as well as from San
Francisco The result was that when
Broderck and Terry stepped out to face
each other on that early Monday morning
the Big Chief "pinched' the whole outfit
The show was off. There was nothing to
do but travel sorrowfully back to San
Francisco.
Enters now Judge Coon. Chief Burke
lined up the prisoners before him. The
charge was that Broderick and Terry had
violated the peace, or attempted to vio-
late it, and he wanted both placed under
bonds sufficiently large to restrain them
for the future. Before him stood the two
men, who had been caught with the goods,
ten PAGES apart; also here We're their
seconds, their armorer, their friends, and
certain spectators who had witnessed the
whole proceeding. Moreover, the Chief
had the pistols in court also. Judge Coon
carefully weighed the evidence, and then
announced that the testimony was not
sufficient to show any violation of the
peace, or any attempt to violate it, and
that the prisoners were therefore dis
charged.
THE result was that the duel took place
the following morning at the same
place and hour. The delay and the trial
had given opportunity for wider publicity,
so there were no less than eighty specta-
tors present, even at so early an hour; but
no police.
There were two sets of pistols on the
ground. Terry's second had brought
pair that had been used in duels before,
while Broderick's aide had a pair of new
ones. A half-dollar was tossed into the
air, and Terry's second won the choice of
weapons; while Broderick's man won the
choice of position and the right of calling
out the words. Terry's man chose the
pistols he had brought from Stockton,
and they were examined by Brodericks
second, after which the guns were duly
loaded. 1t is curious fact that each man
was then examined by his adversarys
second to see that he wore no armor; each
principal also turned over the contents
of his pockets.
A vivid picture of the two men has been
drawn by an eye witness. Each stood
erect, but showed evidence of suppressed
excitement, Broderick being more nervous
than Terry. Terry's black soft hat was
thrown back from his high forehead; while
Broderick' s was drawn over his eyes, The
seconds carefully explained the manner in
which the words would be called out, and
then stepped back. The two antagonists
stood facing each other at ten PAGES, each
with his cooked pistol extended down.
ward at his side. 1t was now nearly seven
o'clock.
Gentlemen, are you ready" called out
Broderick's second
Ready" answered Terry.
Broderick hesitated a moment, fun
bled with his weapon, and then answered,