Democratic Sentinel, Volume 1, Number 25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 August 1877 — A Duel to the Death. [ARTICLE]

A Duel to the Death.

On Saturday last, about dusk, Daniel Brown and Byron Yount met at Cropper’s and engaged in one of the most desperate encounters that ever took place in Shelby county, both parties beingkillech • i The particulars are as follows: Darnel Brown, who was a local reporter for the Shelby Sentinel, two weeks ago burlesqued through the Sentinel a younger brother of Yount’s, who had had a fight with a younger Perry—both boys being under 15 years of age. Saturday evening last John Yount, the burlesqued boy, met Mr. Brown at Cropper’s, and, taking him aside, asked him something in regard to the article in the Sentinel. Brown not making the matter satisfactory, John YoUnt expressed his boyish indignation at BroWfi, who resented by slapping Johnny over and walking off. John reported the affair to his older brother, Byron, who espoused liifc cjdatrel, and during the evening he and Brown passed some high words. Each knowing the other’s disposition well, and being stout, able-bodied men, they parted and prepared themselves for the next meeting. Brown borrowed a little fourshot pistol from his friend, J limes Edwards, and Yount, after seeking in vain for a weapon, finally forced himself into Alexander’s store and took a pistol from the private drawer. Thus prepared, the two walked toward each other, and met at the railroad, one on one tail and the other on the opposite tail. In this position Brown asked Yount when he was ready. Yount replied. “ Now.” and both fired aimxiltaneously into each other,only five feet apart. Yount’s ball entered Brown’s right breast just below the nipple. Brown’s ball entered the lower part of Yount’s abdomen, and ranged downward into the leg. Brown continued to fire, and emptied his four barrels, one ball entering Yount’s wrist; another, entering his right side, ranged aronnd on the outside; one missed entirely; Yount’s pistol refused to revolve, and while under fire he spat on his thumb and endeavored to wrench -the cylinder around, but failing, he closed with Brown, and they pounded and pummeled each other with their pistols until they were parted; they again ran together and fought until both fell from exhaustion. When taken apart, Brown’s grip was still upon Yount’s arm, which had to be loosened by friends forcing open the hands. Both parties were laid upon the platform, a short distance from each other, and five doctors summoned; but no relief could be afforded Brown. While lying thus, Yount, it is said, swore at Brown, and said to him if he could only reach him he would soon put him out of the way. Brown died at 2 o’clock Sunday morning, and was buried at Pleasureville Cemetery on Sunday. Yount lingered until Sunday evening, when he, too, died, after suffering great pain. Brown w.as a graduate of Eminence College, was a member of Christianburg Baptist Church, ami was well beloved and respected in his section. Yount was the son of George Yount, a well-to-do and highly-respected farmer of Shelby county.— Frankfort (Ky.) Yeoman.