The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-05-12
THE AFFAIR OF SATURDAY.

| The Washington correspondent of the Unit
ed States Gazette, under the signature OF Oliver
| Oldschool, and date of the 9Th instant, gives so
distofted an account of the affair between
Messrs. Wise and Stanly near the race course
last Saturday, that we feel bound, in justice TO
both parties involved, to publish the only true
version of the story. The correspondent of the
Gazette speaks of ga Mr.. Sparks, of Missssip-
pi." The person he meant was Col. Starke, OF
Columbus, Mississippi, who was, we are in
formed, the only white person who both heard
and saW every thing which was said and done
DR.. Heiskell, Of the army, saw every thing but
heard little or nothing, and young Mr.. Hill
(the son of Chas. Hill, Esq..) salo in part, but
heard nothing that passed. These are the only
witnesses, and there is no difference in their
statements. Colonel Starke was riding on the
right side of Mr.. Wise, and Dr. Heiskell and
Mr.. Hill were some distance in the rear, not
near enough to hear what was said, but near
enough to see every occurrence. Col. Starke
has departed from the city, but related
the circumstances in detail to many gen
tlemen, and, as we are credbly informed,
left written statement in the hands of
the friends Of both parties. The purport
of that statement is that he Colonel Starke)
accompanied Mr. Wise on horseback from
the race-course Saturday evening (the Thy
about o'clock. Mr.. Wise was a few steps in
advance of him (Col. S. when he saw MIR.
Wise and Mr. Stanly riding on nearly opposite
sides Of the road, looking at each other, their
horses in walk. This position was maintain
ed for some seconds, when carriage came up
and passed between Mr.. Wise and Mr.. Stanly.
After the carriage passed on, they resumed their
former positions, and he (Col. Starke) rode up
and commenced conversation with Mr.. Wise
on the subject of the race. Mr.. Stanly not
keeping pace, Col. Starke and Mr.. Wise got IN
advance of him, before passing the outer gate.
After proceeding about hundred yards from
the gate, Mr.. Stanly rode rapidly up just
as Colonel Starke and Mr.. Wise were passing
through mudhole; his horse brushed against
Mr.. Wise and his horse, on Mr.. Wise's left,
with such force as to push Mr. Wise's horse
against Col. Starke's, and jar Mr.. Wise in his
seat, at the same time bespattering him with
mud and water. AS soon as Mr.. Wise reco-.
vered from the jostle, and before Mr. Stanly
him, on his left, in galop, and, on coming up
with him, struck him heavy blow directly
across the back of the head, with black whale
bone walking cane, which broke before the
head, and the piece with the head, few of some
distance Mr.. Wise struck him but one blow,
md rRoH ssNouy n rido DSt
me again" Mr. Stanly remarked, II did not
see you," and Mr.. Wise replied, "Then l ex-
cuse it," Mr. Stany after pause Of a few
seconds, said, "You come up behind man to
strike him." Mr.. Wise replied, "there are gen.
llemen behind here who saw how this matter
was DONE" Mr. Stanly then said, "You come
up behind man and strike him like ID
coward" Mr.. Wise replied, "Take that blow
and the coward. and make the most of them,
d-n YOU" Col. Starke then nterposed, and
demonstrated that the public road was not the
proper place to settle the matter. Mr.. Stanly
said, 'Very well, and rode off.
Such is correct and full statement of the
whole affair, as detailed by Col. Starke; and
it will not be disputed that this is his statement
or that it is true "Every man can judge for
himself" now, and ecensure whom he may
think deserves his censure." We add that Mr..
Wise did not strike Mr. Stanly with "a loaded
rattan," his cane was small whalebone, with
small ivory head. Did the gentleman who
had" the facts related by the correspondent oil
the Gazette from the only eyewitness"
(there were three eye-witnesses,) tell the cor
respondent the fact that it was 'evident, how
ever, that Mr.. Wise wishes to provoke chal-
lenge, that he may dictate his condtions"?-|
Does the correspondent wish to incite either
party to challenge? Mark, if he does, and
there be fight and duel-murder, the Ga
zette will be among the first to preach hon.
lily on duelling! Now, this correspondent is
known to Mr.. Wise and his friends, and hel
should be among the last TO encourage duel
before fatal shot, though he will be among the
first to make long face about it if murder be
done.