Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 122, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 May 1913 — DUEL ON VERGE OF PRECIPICE [ARTICLE]

DUEL ON VERGE OF PRECIPICE

A terrible struggle on a mountain pass, near a precipice of 3,000 feet, has taken place on the south slopes of the Bernina range, between an Italian officer and a private. An Italian custom house patrol under the command of Lieutenant Rbccia, was visiting the Alpine posts in the Valteline on the Bwiss frontier, when the officer had to reprimand a soldier named Cell. This man determined to have revenge.

When the patrol was away on other duty. Cell attacked • his officer on a lonely Alpine pass, and attempted to throw him over the precipice. A long struggle followed, the men being of about equal strength and unarmed. The officer, so save his life, bit through an artery in the wrist of hig subordinate, who collapsed, owing to the loss of blood. Soon afterwards the patrol arrived and carried Cell to a

hospital in the valley, where he recovered. The military court which tried the case at Milan, Italy, tbok into consideration the sufferings and former good conduct of the soldier, and above all the refusal of his officervictim to prosecute, and sentenced Cell to six month’s imprisonment.