Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1915-01-22
FAMOUS DUEL
OF LOCAL INTEREST


ing accounl OF which is given in the
Kansas City Star. Judge Leonard
was the fat Ter of the late Bishop Leo
nard OF Epi jcopal church, Nevada do
Cese, well remembered here:
Bloody Island was not the scene of
all duels i'll Missouri's early days. The
affair betw zen Judge Abiel Leonard
and Maj. Taylor Berry took place on
Wolf Island in the Mississippi near
New Madri September l, 1924. The
duel has aided historic interest be-
cause OF tie preservation of all the
papers concerning the challenge and
agreement.
Both mel lived at Old Franklin.
The quarre. began in the course of a
lawsuits Ger the land title. Judge
Leonard WIS counsel for the plaintiff
and Major Berry was one of the
defendants. In the course of the
trial Judge Leonard charged n wit
ness with swearing falsely for a con-
sideration, thus indirectly accusing
Major Berry of subornation of per
jury.
Major Berry Gets a Whip.
At the nc on recess of the court the
witness announced hat he intended
to whale Leonard within an inch of
his life Eut Major Berry said:
"Neve mind. Let ME attend to
the damned Yankee"
The impending quarrel was the tall;
OF the little town that afternoon. Men
discussed i in the courtroom and the
taverns.
Leonard had lived in Old Franklin
only a few years. He was 81 years
old and a Nermonter. He was small,
slender and n physical weakling. Old
Granklin called him THAT Yank".
Major Berry announced at the sup.
per table in the hotel that he intended
to give the damned Yank something
TO think about" He walked through
the tavern ostentatiously trailing a
long cOwhi lie whip. The news went
rapidly ov,r that town that 1.-THE
Major" was on his way to make that
Nank" dam
Leonard refused to leave his room.
He had been under a doctors care
several dars and was lying down
when Major Berry strobe in. The
tall old fi~re-eater lowered above the
young lawyer. Leonard got to his
feet.
What cor l do for you, sir?" he
asked.
you can beg for mercy" Major
Berry replied and cut his whip across
Leoenard's back. Then, as Leonard
stood palC and erect, the angry
major dashed him across the back
and breast Leonard made no cry
or sound. Fearing that Leonard
would be murdered, the other board.
ers at Leonard's hotel came to the
door. The major dropped his whip.
you puI py." he said, "if you are
not satisfied, I can satisfy you in
any way you wish. 1 will settle with
YOU anytiT e."
you sh; II hear from me-" Leon
ard said. He stood as he had dur
ing the WI tipping until Major Berry
departed, tnen tainted on his couch.
A chalIengs to Fight.
There WIS some speculation as to
whether Leonard had spunk enough
to challenge.
That wa settled the next day
when his friend, Thomas ]. Boggs,
handed the following note to Major
Berry:
"Sir: / demand a personal inter-
view with you. My friend, Mr.. Boggs,
will make t1e necessary arrangements
on my part"
That was much more curt than
Southern Missouri duelists had used.
1t did not give Major Berry the al
tentative o. an apology. He had no
course but to accept, which he did.
saying any date after September /
1t was then late in June-which
would be asked by Judge Leonard.
Angus l.. ,.angham was Major Der.
rvs second He and Boggs drew up
an elaborate agreement. II prcscrib.
cd that tho duel should take place
September 1, at ten PAGES three feet
each. A la'er clause set the time for
4 o'clock i'm tho afternoon and named
three-quarter afternoon coats the prop.
er dress for principals, seconds and
surgeons.
On the Field Of Honor.
Several q tempts were made to stop
the duel pr or to September /. Leon
ard was placed under peace bond.
An effort vas made to arrest him.
Despite all he appeared in New Ma.
drid August 81. The site was selected
by the seconds and the field cleared
of underbrush. The next day they
repaired to the spot.
Judge Leonard and Major Berry
took their places, thirty feet apart
and "side t. side so as to fire without