Page:California Inter Pocula.djvu/770

 taking offence at some remark of P. W. Thomas of Auburn, sent him a challenge by James P. Dickson, hospital physician at San Francisco. Thomas refusing to fight with Putland, on the ground that he was no gentleman, was then challenged by Dickson, and on the next day, March 10th, the parties met at Oak Grove. Thomas' second was Hamilton Bowie, and the second of Dickson was the Honorable Judge Edward McGowan. Weapons, duelling pistols, distance, thirteen paces. Dickson, who had the choice of ground and the word, received Thomas' first fire just under the arm, and the ball passed through his body. Thomas fired first, otherwise it was thought that he, too, must have been hit, as Dickson's ball struck the ground directly at his feet. Dickson died next day, his death causing great excitement, as he was a young man of promise. Rutland felt grieved that Dickson. should have died in his place, and threatened to shoot Thomas on sight unless he fought him, too.

The 10th of April a duel came off at the Pioneer racecourse between H. Chaviteaux and M. Richards. The second of the former was Comte de Raoussel-Boulbon; for the latter E. Cavallier officiated. French duelling-pistols were the weapons, and the distance of twenty-five paces made matters quite safe. Three shots were exchanged, when the fiery French gentlemen came to their senses. No harm was done.

Agreement upon details in a proposed duel:

The weapons to be duelling pistols, distance 10 paces. Place of meeting, back of the racecourse near the mission. To fire between the word fire and three. To toss for choice of weapons. Then for the pistols. Then for the word. Then for choice of position on ground. Any infringement of rules by either of the principals "will be mett by certain death"

The 10th of May an affair of honor came off near the presidio between James Hawkins, of Tuolumne,