Individual Details
Dr. Leonard Cicero FURR
(15 Oct 1862 - 1 Jun 1913)
Dr. L. C. Furr, of Crandall, is dead, and “Whack” Riorden is seriously, but not fatally, wounded, as the result of a pistol duel between the two at Crandall Saturday morning, the tragedy causing intense excitement in Murray county where both of the participants, members of prominent families, lived. The cause of the fight is said to have been trouble over a woman. The two men met Friday night, following Dr. Furr’s return from a trip to Atlanta, and, on their meeting, are said to have exchanged shots, none of which proved effective. Then friends intervened, and the two went to their respective homes. This proved, however, only a momentary cessation of hostilities, for on their meeting the following morning, the second duel, accompanied with fatal results, took place. The men met Saturday morning in a store at Crandall, both being armed at the time. It is alleged that Riorden asked Dr. Furr to put up his weapon, adding that the trouble could be adjusted without a resort to pistols. As Dr. Furr entered the store, he and Riorden began shooting at about the same time. Only one shot was fired by Riorden, according to the statement of those present, after which his weapon failed to work. The bullet, however, struck Dr. Furr in the lower part of the abdomen, puncturing the bowels in three places. Then, Dr. Furr continued to advance, firing rapidly, and out of the five shots fired by him, none went wild, all striking Riorden who, in backing when his pistol became useless, had fallen over a box in the store. The wounded men were hastily carried home and physicians were summoned. Four doctors worked over Dr. Furr throughout the day; but at the beginning, after an examination, they pronounced his case hopeless. Shortly after midnight, at 12:30 o’clock Sunday morning, his death occurred. The seriousness of Dr. Furr’s wound kept Murray physicians busy when it was learned that Mr. Riorden’s wounds were not critical, and Dalton was asked for aid. Dr. J. G. McAfee responded, and worked over Mr. Riorden Saturday afternoon. On his return here he stated that his patient was suffering from five wounds; but would, in all probability, recover. Bones in both forearms and one of the shoulder-blades were smashed by bullets. A slight flesh wound in the abdomen, and a scalp wound embraced the other injuries. The prominence of the two men caused the tragedy to throw Murray county into excitement. Dr. Furr, a member of one the county’s leading families, was extensively known in Murray, being, in addition to an excellent practitioner, an able surgeon. He had an extensive practice. Dr. Furr was a widower, middle-aged, and is survived by several children. “Whack” Riorden is about 26 years of age. He is a member of another prominent family of Murray county, being a young man highly esteemed. Both of the participants had a large number of friends.
North Georgia Citizen, Dalton, Georgia, June 5, 1913
North Georgia Citizen, Dalton, Georgia, June 5, 1913
Events
| Birth | 15 Oct 1862 | Georgia | |||
| Marriage | 30 Sep 1886 | Murray County, GA - Nancy Eugenia "Nannie" HARRIS |  | ||
| Death | 1 Jun 1913 | Crandall, Murray County, GA |  | | |
| Burial | Sumach Cumberland Presbyterian Cemetery, Crandall, Murray County, GA | |
Families
| Spouse | Nancy Eugenia "Nannie" HARRIS (1864 - 1906) |
| Child | William Eugene FURR (1886 - 1974) |
| Child | Lucy P. FURR (1891 - 1951) |
| Child | Eva Nannie FURR (1894 - 1970) |
| Child | Leonard Stephen FURR (1897 - 1965) |
| Father | Leonard Washington FURR (1821 - 1864) |
| Mother | Olivia Parthenia LANE (1829 - 1917) |
| Sibling | Mary Ann FURR (1847 - 1945) |
| Sibling | Sarah Jane "Sallie" FURR (1850 - 1924) |
| Sibling | Martha Hester Ann FURR (1852 - 1932) |
| Sibling | William Paul FURR (1856 - 1941) |
| Sibling | Timia Elizabeth FURR (1858 - 1941) |
| Sibling | Olivia Parthenia FURR (1860 - 1943) |
Notes
Death
DALTON, Ga., June 2.—At an early hour Sunday morning, Dr. L. C. Furr, of Crandall, died as a result of the wounds received in his duel with “Whack” Riorden Saturday morning. He lived less than twenty-four hours after the duel. Riorden is said by physicians attending him to have an excellent chance to recover. His wounds-—five in number —consist of splintered bones in both arms, a smashed shoulder blade, a flesh wound in the abdomen, and a scalp wound of minor consequence. Latest information has it that in the duel not a single shot missed. Riorden and Furr are said to have fired at about the same time, Furr receiving the wound which proved fatal. Then, with Riorden’s gun failing to work, Furr is said to have advanced, firing, as Riorden backed, and all five shots took effect in Riorden, who had fallen over a box in a store at Crandall. Riorden is said to have fired only once. It is said that prior to the shooting Riorden urged Furr to put up his pistol, insisting that they could settle the difficulty without resorting to weapons. The men had fired at each other the night before, none of the shots taking effect. Dr. Furr was one of the most prominent physicians of Murray county, possessing decided ability both as a practitioner and surgeon. In addition to this, he was of one of this section's most prominent families. He was a widower and leaves several children, in addition to an extensive friendship. Riorden also a member of an excellent Murray county family. He is about twenty-six years of age.The Atlanta Journal, Atlanta, Georgia, June 2, 1913
Endnotes
1. "Georgia Marriages, 1808-1967", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FWQ6-X3N : 11 January 2020).
2. "United States Deceased Physician File (AMA), 1864-1968", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:WDBQ-QFZM : 14 December 2020).
3. , findagrave.com (N.p.: n.p., n.d.).