The Poison Duel 10#: Playing Cards and Poison at Tombstone October 20, 2014
Author: Beach Combing | in : Modern , trackback
This story was allegedly taken from the Detroit Free Press by an English newspaper, 27 Oct 1894. That it appeared in the DFP there is no reason to doubt, English newpapers are almost frightening reliable about these things: that such a duel took place between an English and a French man in Tombstone… Well, this blog is putting bets down against. Any proof, perhaps along the lines of a similar Polish duel with poison and dominoes (which turned out to be genuine): drbeachcombing AT yahoo DOT com
One L.R. Frenison writes:
I was once the master of ceremonies at the most sensational duel ever fought. In fact, had I not been present I could not have believed that it could take place in the way it did. I was in Tombstone, A.T., when young Englishman, who was prospecting through the country, quarrelled with a high-spirited Frenchman. I have now forgotten, in what way the trouble arose, but that night I was sitting the Englishman’s room when he received challenge from the offended party. As coolly as accepting an invitation to dinner, he said ‘Tell your principal that I believe him to be coward. If he is not, he will not object to my method of settling this affair. As the challenged party I have the right to choose my weapons. I choose a deck of cards, a game of seven-up, and a dose of strychnine, the loser is to kill himself in the presence of the others, the time to-night at midnight.’ The Frenchman was game, and appeared at the appointed time with his second. I could not interfere, and the game was started, a white powder lying on the table lt was for seven points, and each dealt with as much composure as though it was a mere friendly pastime. At first, the Englishman led, and had five points when his antagonist had but two. Three points for the latter made them even and the Frenchman’s deal. The Englishman begged and was given one; and then showed the jack and four for high low, with an excellent running hand had the cards been run. The Frenchman showed the queen and tray, and without a word the Englishman swallowed the poison. It was more than any of us could stand. Even the Frenchman relented, and all of us went to work to save the man’s life, with the assistance of a doctor who boarded in the house. Fortunately, an overdose had been taken, and in a few days he was out of bed, but looking very pale from the ordeal through which he had passed. The two duellists afterward became good friends, and were partners in the cattle business up to a few months ago.
