The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1830-07-22
From the Mobile Register, la Lly.1

FATAL DUEL.-We have received a
etter dated Arkansas Territory, June
P3d, detailing circumstances connected
With an instance of single combat, which
ook place there, whose severity has
Bcaroely parallel in history. The let
er comes, as it appears, from a friend
Of one of the parties, DIR. ID. ii. Jetlries,
with whom we had brief acquaintance
while he resided at Coheeyille; and the
account is requested to be published for
the information of the friends of that
gentleman in this State. The parties
were resident at or near lberville, Lou
|isiana.
A challenge passed from Doctor
Smith to Doctor Jeffries, on the first in
stant, which was accepted; the interview
was appointed for Thursday, the 18th.
md the distance fixed at eight PAGES.
When the time arrived the parties met,
took their stations, and exchanged shots,
without injury to either. After this shot,
il seems inferable from the remarks of
the writer, that some efforts were made
by their friends to bring about an ac-
eommodation, but unavallIngly, as Doe
tor Jeffries declared that he would not
leave the ground till he had lost his own,
or had taken the life Of his antagonist.
Their pistols were handed to them sec
ond time, and a, this fire the right arm
Of DIR. Smith was broken, which arrest
cd the fight for few moments. till he
recovered from the exhaustion, when, he
declared as he was wounded he was
ready to die, and demanded the seconds
to proceed. The pistols were then put
into their hands for a third time, DIR.
Smith using his left hand. At this fire
DIR. Jefl'res was wounded in the thigh,
and his loss of blood occasiOned an eX-
haustion that again delayed the conflict
for n few moments. He recovered, and
both then desired to shorten the distance
and continue the fight. They now stood
up for the fourth time, covered with
blood, and at a distance of six feet.
They were to fire between the words one
and five, and the shot proved fatal to both
parties; they fell to the earth. DIR. Smith
was dead when he dropped, the ball
having penetrated his heart, and DIR.
Jeffries was shot through the breast, a
wound he survived but four hours. They
fought with perfect GOODNESS, and thus
fell, adds our correspondent, two good
and brave men.
When Doctor Jeffries saw that his an
tagonist had fallen, he asked if he was
dead, and being assured so, he declared
his own willingness to die. Before he
l,,. hot hn ha ii hnan a srh hnnl
mate with DIR. Smith, had been acquaint-
ed with him fifteen years, that they had
been onaterms of great intimacy and
friendship; and he bore also honorable
testimony to his character as Il man OF
science and n gentleman. 1t is not
stated distinctly in the letter what origi-
mated the cruel hostility which is eXhib-
tied in the melancholy affair; but it ap.
pears to have been deeply wounded feel,
ings on the part of DR.. Jetfries. Oul
correspondent states that he had made
many personal friends in the section o
country where he had fixed his residence
and was universally respected and be
loved. He was ensW, at the time o
this affair, to be marrieIo highly intel
ligent and amiable young lady of fMissis
sippi, which circumstance appears t.
have had connexion with the duel; tin
lady reached the ground only in time t.
take her last earthly farewell of the oh
iect of her affection. Her frantic cries
mingled with the grief ofthe friends, tin
letter paints as scene ofthe most hear
rending description.