A DUEL WITH CARVING KNIVES.

Western Star, Issue 260, 31 August 1878, Page 6

A DUEL WITH CARVING KNIVES.

Two Virginian farmers, Messrs Alex. Siley and Frost Coles, brothers-in-law, fought a duel at Forest Depot, Virginia, on the 20th May, of a most distressing nature. The quarrel arose out of a bet as to the In ight of some corn. Hot words ensued, and “finally the lie passed,” Siley then proposed to adjourn to a wood about a mile distant, and “fight it out with knives.” This suggestion met with the approval of Coles, and the two men went, homo and procured carving knives, they told an old coloured labourer named Bob Onniugtou to meet them at the spot arranged, and to bring an axe with him. On arriving at the wood they informed the negro of their intention, and directing him if he found one taking advantage of the other “ to rush in with the axe and straighten them.” They then stripped to the waist and without delay began. Tne duelists, it is stated, were men of “ splendid physique” and perfectly cool. They first tried fencing, but after a few parries Coles began to use his knife like a madman. He inflicted five deep wounds in )iis antagonist’s body, one being a severe gash in the throat. Siley fell to the ground in a few minutes and died in less than half an hour. Coles received three wounds —one in the arm, one in the ribs, and one in the neck. The old negro was so terrified that he did nothing but yell; but when Siley was dying, and Coles had fallen to the ground exhausted by loss of blood, the negro rushed off and gave the alarm. A constable whom he met hurried to the spot’and found Siley dead and Coles apparently dying. They were carried to the nearest house, but Coles’ recovery, by latest accounts, was thought doubtful. Siley had only been married a few months, and was singularly handsome. Coles, it is added, is related to a “ prominent politician.”