The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1846-05-22
A Singular DueI,

York in 1901, and which lie calls
one of the most romantic and extra
ordinary duels probly ever fought
certainly ever taught in this coun-
try-thc duel between William Cole
man, editor of the Evening Post,
and Captain Thompson, han bor-mas-
ter.
James Cheetham, an editor of the
American Citizen, was the organ of
the democratic party. William
Coleman, editor Of the Evening Post,
represented the Federal party and
both we may say, controlled the des-
tines OF their respective parties. y Il
He was by birth an EngIishman, of
lndomltable courage great and com
handing talents, and ierocious and
ungovernablc temper.-IIe had
more talents than Coleman but
Coleman was man of better perSo-
nal qualities, indolcnt and somewhat
dissipated, but very severe para
graphiSt, and an expert politician.
Coleman and Cheetham, after some
violent intcrchangcs of editorial an
ger, finally got into duel. Cheet-
ham was the challenger. Consider
able negotiation and management
took place between the friends Of the
parties; and it appears that Judge
Brockholst Livingston, in order to
prevent the meeting, ordered out The
posse c0mtt0tHS, or had the parties
arrested. This threw some doubt
on Coleman's courage; and Capt,
Thompson, democrat-a brave
fearless man, who always "uttercG
his thought freely-said thah Cole
man wonld not fight; that if slapped
on one side of the face he would
turn the other. The party took fire
at this declaration, and the leaders
Washington Morton, Beckman, anC
several others, met at David Long.
worth's Bookstore, Park Row, anC
after brief consultation informed
Mr.. Coleman that he must challenge
Captain Thompson-that there wa,
no evasion of the very offensive de,
claratlon he had made.-Thus cir
cumstanccd, Coleman sent him
challenge by Washington Morton
which Captain Thompson accepted
and named Chcetham as his second
and the friends made the necessar
arrangement foi the meeting.
The apprehensions of the Law
were such that it was resolved t,
keep the meeting a secret from all
except the parties already acquain
ted with it, and to fight at night
DR.. Hugh McLane was notified t,
attend a meeting professionally
though he may have heard of til,
preliminary arrangements and name
Of parties. They met on cold win
ter night--the snow was on til,
/ ground-behind the house Of Capt
Randall, which stood at the corne
of Broadway and Eighth streets
The road passed through ravine
and passed Potter's field, now Wash
ington square, turning round in til
rear Of the Captains mansion, nov
University place. The ground wa
marked out, and the principals too
their stand. The Doctor arrive
rather late, and, on alighting frol
his gig, heard the report Of pistols
and ball which whizlcd by hi
head acquainted him with the fac
that hostilities had commenced. II
walked towards the party.
"Who goes there ?" asked til
seconds.
"The Doctor" was the reply.
"keep at a distance, if you please
at present"
"Well, gentlemen" said Wash
ington Morton, "we have exchange
a couple Of shots already. Ito,
much longer are we to renal
here 20
"until we fire dozen more" sal
Chcctham.
swell, them" said Mr.. Mortol
''iE it is to be SO the parties must ap
proach nearer each other--Sav a
!, six paccs.--lt is so dark that Tie
} cannot see each other"
"Agrecd," said Chcetham; an
the belligerents approached ncare
each other. Another Slot Has free
butt from one pistol.
= "No matter who it was" sal
Captain ThompSon,--"fre away -
"Another shot was exchange
, when Thompson cried out, "Ht
| got IT," and fell.
The second and Mr.. Coleman in
4 mediately left the ground. DR.. M,
: Lean approached the PROSTATE ma,
and made a hastv examination of il
wound. The ball had passed throug
l his liver and lnngs.
"Sir," said he, 81 am sorry to sa
, that you are mortally wounded; al
=, , as brave and am honorable man,
: wish you to give me your word tn,
you will not divulgc the names
D tha Martins in This ,,ncnrtun,t, h,s