Rensselaer Republican, Volume 14, Number 4, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 October 1881 — A Duel at Night. [ARTICLE]

A Duel at Night.

Denver News. Oue of those tragic events that mark the narrow strip between civilization and barbarism occurred at Cbaraa, New Mexico, last night. The parties to the affair were Charles Reiser aud William Whitson (Tex.), two southern boys, who paid the forfeit imposed by duty and pride. Tex held the position of town marshal. Reiser was carrying a pistol, contrary to the notice posted around, and Tex made an effort to disarm him. After trying in vain for several minutes to do this, he proposed a duel at teu steps. Reiser accepted the challenge. It was nearly 11 o’clock p. m. but the night was clear. Telling Reiser to be ready, Tex stepped off ten paces, aud turning, the flriDg commenced. At the first fire Reiser shot Tek almost through the heart. As Tex stumbled to liis kuees and fell, he fired four times, one ball passing through Reiser’s body Just above the navel. When we got to them Tex was about dead. Reiser lived half an hour. William Whitson was a native of Texas —a state that has furnished more "border heroes” than any other. Charles Reiser was from Odessa, Missouri. Both were young (neither of them more than twenty-five), both warm hearted and true as steel. Duty caused Tex to lose bis life, while Reiser lost his through an unyielding pride. Both had many friends, and were really good friends themselves.