Pistol Duel in a Court Room.

Thames Advertiser, Volume XVII, Issue 5807, 10 June 1887, Page 3

Pistol Duel in a Court Room.

At Newberry, the orderly proceedings ; of a trial in Justice Blcaso's oflico r was somewhat intcruptcd by an ox--1 change of nino pistol alios between two of the distinguished lawyers of that rural village. Tho case boforo Judge Blcaso was an attachment suit, tho parties to which wcro two North Carolinians. Georgo Johnstone and Johnß. Jones wcro two of tho lawyers engaged in the caso; They aro both high strung, and both of them meant business. While the trial was going on Bomo words passed bctweon them, whereupon they drew their shooting irons and opened fire upon each other. Nine shots wcro exchanged. Johnstone was shot through tho right car, in tho loft arm, and in tho thigh, and seriously hurt. Jones was shot through tho body and perhaps fatally wounded. Lawyer Georgo 13. Cromer, \ ho tried to stop tho shooting, narrowly escaped being killed,- three shots passing through his clothing. Tho Court-room was crowded when tho firing began/audit is almost miraculous that there was not somobody killed outright. Jones is n prominent lawyer, and of one of the best families in the county. Johnstone was educated at Edinburgh, and is a public man of considerable losal prominence. He has been a member of the State Legislature for. several terms, and was a candidate for Congress from tho Third District in'the last campaign. He is a son of' old Chancellor Johnstone. It is said that there has been bad blood between Jones and Johnstone, and it is inferred that they went into Court with the expectation of having trouble. It is not kn«wn what will be tlic end of tho melee. Parhapsboth of the parties will be fined if thoy don't clio. It ought to be mentioned that the attachment was " mutually settled" by the parties to tho suit, and thatjiall tho proceedings have been stopped.—New York Herald