The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-09-01

FATAL ARRAY AT FLKToS, Move regret hav-
ing TO record fatal rencontre which took place at
Elkton, Cecil county, Mary land on Wednesday last,
between Palmer C. Ricketts,, editor and proprietor
of the Cecil Wing, published at Elkton, and Amer
Il. Forward, lawyer of that village and recently
Democratic member OF the Legislature, from Cecil
county. Having conversed with several gentlemen
who were present, we CLEAN from their statements
the following particulars, which lay before our
readers " ltbout Youchng for their correctness
misunderstanding of political character had taken
place between the partiestupwards Of year since
which had been amcaby settled, though no lntima
cy had existed between them since. Mr.. Ricketts,
having spent time at the springs this summer,
wrote and published in his paper account Of the
way in win b he had enjoyed himself there, well
descnpto on Of the place and Of the surrounding
country In the Cecil Democrat, published the
following Saturday, there appeared communica-
ton, which followed 10y others, ridiculing in a
very satircal style these articles which gave great
offence TO Mr.. Ricketts,. The communications
in the Democrat were attributed by Mr.. Ricketts,
10 be the productions OF Mr.. Forward, and on
last Saturday there appeared in the Wig near
ly column Of poetry consisting of the most violent
and disgusting personal abuse OF one, in which
the word 'Joroard frequently occurred, in italics,
though no name was mentioned. Mr.. Forward,
however took IL 10 apply to himself, and at about ~
o'clock on Wednesday, they met together at the post
Office for the first time Mr. Ricketts, had bundle OF
letters and papers IN his left haLd, and his right
IN the side pocket Of his coat, when Mr.. Forward
step ed up TO him and seized hold Of the wrist of his
right hand, word passing between them at the mo
It, the purport Of which could not be ascertained
Mr.. Ricketts, succeeded IN breaking loose from the
hold which Mr.. Forward had on his hand, and in do
ing which, however, one charge Of a four-barreod
revolving pistol which he had grasped in his pocket
went oil, but did not take effect lie then stepped
back aud levelmg the pistol fred the ball Of which
IS supposed Is the one that passed through the side
of his opponent. MIR. Forward then is said TO have
thrown his hands up his head, and rushed to-
wards the tavern the opposite side Of the street.
which he boarded. When about half way across
the street, Mr.. Ricketts, Is said TO have headed him
of, and dwelling his pistol again, discharged the
two remaining barrels IN quick succession, both Of
which took effect in the breast Of his adversary, who
died from the wounds he had received at about nine
O'Clock on the same evening. Mr.. Ricketts, then ran
into a tavern at some distance from the scene, and
shortly after surrendered himself to the sheriff when
he committed to jail, the question of bail not
having been decided when our informant left.
Mr. Forward was also armed at the time W tn
pistol and cane, though we learn that he protested
before his death that he had intention TO use IL or
nJure hi opponent in any way, with the exception Of
Gaming HIM Tor the supposed insult contained In the
poetical article alluded to lie also is rcputed 10
have said that he could have shot him dead II he had
chosen, after the discharge Of the first ball. but that
he had no such intention
We give the above version Of the affair, as well as
the causes which led 10 IT, precisely the, have been
related 20 us and II there should happen TO be any
crrUr or msstatemeut we shall cheerfully make the
required correction rcgrcltng for the sake Of both
parties, the unfortunate occurrence, and having no
other desire but to lay before our readers the facts
as they occurred, If IT is possible to ascertain hem
Baltimore Sun.