The Washington times., 1922-03-30
HI. WILSON.
bEST TED IN.
bA I TIE OF.
kNl)CkLES
jealousy Over Wife Reported
Cause Of Fight Between
Writer and Artist.
BY international Nsws sesyiee.

CARMEL, Cal, March S0.--
The colony Of authors and artists
here was startled today with pub
lication of details of hand toa
hand duel fought by Harry Leon
Wilson, famous author, and Theo-
dore M. Criley, wealthy landscape
painter, as the outcome of feud
starting with the production Of q
community play six months ago.
A Primitive Conflict.
On high cliff overlooking the sea
in the early morning few days ago,
according to the reports current
here, Wilson. man of fifty-five ana
weighing about 1876 pounds, met
Criiey, aged about forty-five and
weighing about 155. in primitive con.
flict. Seconds attended the men, 1t
is said, and stripped to the wsaisg
they battled until Criiey had scored
four Ilnockdoxns. =
Acccrding to those Who witnes{ed
che batt;e. wiisop struck the first
blow In The hout--a smashing rignt
to the nose. This Criley regarded,
liz In said, as releasing himself from
a promise TO his wife 10 fight only
in self-defense. From that tfiue on
the fight was waged without
quarter. 80
The men stood toe to toe and
rained each other with blows. There
was no clinching. According TO re.
ports, the first knockdown came
after three minutes, Criley sending
Wilson down with a heavy body
blow. Blood came early from both
men.
Wilson Completely Exhausted.
Wilson fought, according to the
reports, until completely exhausted.
The men wore thin riding gloves.
Both were badly battered. 1t is
reported that Wilson's first blow
nearly closed the left eye Of the
landscape artist.
The feud between the two men
was well-known in the local colony.
Last fall an open air theater. a
community affair, presented "Po-
mander Walk a romfntic play.
Mrs. Wilson was chosen for the
role of heroine Of the play, and
Criley played opposite her as hero.
Wilson is said to have become teal.
GUS and this later famed itself into
bitter enmity.
According to all reports here, the
early morning struggle between the
two men was a classic from the
standpoint of physical battling.
The affair was handled In approved
duelling fashion. The seconds
handled all details between the two
men and paced off the sod-covered
ring. There were rounds" only
when a knocSsdown was scored.
Wilson recently came back from
"a trip to Hawaii. According to re-
ports here, he was in training dur.
ing his stay in Honolulu and was
in fine physical trim for the en-
counter. -
Wilson Sends Challenge.
Wilson, 1t is understood, first sent
a verbal challenge to Criley. Cyiley
replied in conciliatory spirit, but
agreeing to meet Wilson alone or
with witnesses in any place he
wished.
Wilson lost no time replying,
stating that as soon as he could
enlist the services of his seconds
they would arrange the meeting
The scene of the encounter Is as
ropantic as the affair In which the
men were engaged. II is grass
covered glade on high point
known as Yankee Point and so iso.
lated that the men were safe from
all interference.
Wilson is widely known for his
writing, both In magazines and
books. Many of his characters are
of the. outdoor type.
'Ruggles of Red Gap" and his
ma Pettingill'' stories brought him
fame.
Both men have been in retirement
since the struggle.
Despite the bitter physical encoun.
ter, the feud is not settled. Accord
ing to reports, Wilson's last words
to Criley after the battle were: You
win this time, but I've just begun"
Criley Is reported to consider the
whole thing as "schoolboy stuff"
The verbal challenge sent Criiey
by Wilson Is said to have been word
ed as follows:
"I challenge you to meet me. with
witnesses to insure fair play. and we
will fight II out until one Of us cries
enough"
In reply. criley expressed willing.
ness to bring the matter to an
ISSUE"
ITO that end" he said. "I will
meet you alone or with witnesses at
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