Challenges Tronchet to Sword Fight
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Title
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en
Challenges Tronchet to Sword Fight
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list of contributors
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Generoso Pavese
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Date
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November 1, 1899
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volume
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86
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issue
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154
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page start
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4
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4
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en
CHALLENGES TRONCHET TO SWORD FIGHT
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Prof. Generoso Pavese, Noted Swordsman, Arrives to Do Battle.
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Professor Generoso Pavese (maestro di scherma), a fencing master, who has gained notoriety by challenging Lieutenant Carranza, an attache of the Spanish legation at Washington to meet him in mortal combat, and who has won fame through his wonderful ability with broadsword, foil and cane, arrived in this city Monday and registered at the Commercial Hotel.
The professor came to this coast with fire in his eye and a number of challenges to local fencing masters. This especially includes Professor Louis Tronchet, instructor at the Olympic Club, and the challenger would be gratified if he could return to his native heath with the winged “O’s” maestro’s scalp on his belt.
Signor Pavese is acknowledged to be one of the greatest swordsmen in the world. He defeated such experts as Duncan C. Ross, Professor McMahon and Captain Oscar, and is now the possessor of the championship belt and a score of medals as evidence of his prowess. Some years ago the Italian wonder gave a practical test of his endurance by fencing for twelve hours without rest. On the occasion mentioned he withstood the attack of a number of experts with credit to himself and to the astonishment of thousands of spectators. A short time ago the Italian master of the sword met five men in succession and defeated them all. They were Professor Gerald, formerly of the United States army; Professor James Sullivan, formerly of the United States navy; Dr. Roessler, A. Schlaunberg and F. Eppeson, all of the Hoboken Fencers’ Club.
In June, 1898, Signor Pavese took umbrage at the challenge issued by Lieutenant Carranza to General Fitzhugh Lee and Captain Sigsbee, and in the following challenge offered to meet the fire-eating Spaniard:
NEW YORK, June 8, 1898.
To Lieutenant Carranza, ex-Attache Spanish Legation, Washington. Montreal, Canada:
Lieutenant Carranza, I, the undersigned, Generoso Pavese, desiring that challenge issued by you to General Lee and Captain Sigsbee should not go unanswered by the American people, hereby agree to meet you in mortal combat, with either sabers or foils. Neither General Lee nor Captain Sigsbee can possibly accept your challenge, because of their duties in the present struggle between the United States and Spain, and I as an Italian-American and naturalized citizen of the United States, desire to put myself in the place of the great gentlemen whom you have challenged. Should you fail to notice my willingness to satisfy your wish for revenge, I shall stigmatize you as a coward and challenge any other Spaniard the wide world over who dares to insult the American flag.
There ought to be one among the sympathizers with Spain to accept my challenge; but if not I consider you all as a grand lot of chatterboxes.
I had the pleasure of challenging Your Excellency some days since, and offered to go to Canada; but as yet I have received no reply. To this second overture I hope you may be pleased to make some speedy reply.
I subscribe myself your servant,
GENEROSO PAVESE.
On Sunday afternoon between the hours of 3 and 6 o’clock Signor Pavese will give an exhibition of endurance in Washington-square Hall and meet all comers.
