The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1849-11-22


!. Crittendcn. As the seconds in all such
mortal combats are often! more important,
than even. the principals themselves, we
may be pardoned for briefly sketching
the two who acted in the present case
! Wharton Rector was a protested du-
t eiist, notorious alike for the number and
fatality of his murderoas conflicts. He
was universally feared throughout the
west, from St. Louis to New Orleans, al
though in some minds there had always
fingered doubt as to the character of
his courage.-These thought that the
desperado relied on his immense person
al strength, and the deadlmess of his
ann, rather than on innate and uncon-
: querabie bravery. ~ -.&
\ Ben Desha, a son of the celebrated
governor of Kentucky, had but recently
: emigrated to Arkansas. His prowess
was not known, but only ina gined from
his singular and striking appearance.
He was tall, pale, slende man, whose
thin lip wore an everlasting smile, or
sneer--one could hardly tell which, so
ambiguous was It's eXpression-and his
eyes were small as an infants, fierce,
reddish and utterly piercing. Such dag
ger-like eyes, causing every gazer to
quail, could never belong to coward
This, at least, was the general belief of
all Who saw him.
As soon as the parties appeared on
the. ground. they began to make their
I arrangements, and serious difficulties "a
rose between the seconds on various
points OF order. While the dispute as
to these was pending for almost an hour,
Conway became restless, angry, and
agitated, while Crittendeh trusting all to
his second, lay quietly on a blanket,
with his eyes shut, as if enjoying Il com
Portable slumber.
! Finally everything was settled, and
the principals took their positions, with
their pistols cooked, and their fingers on
the triggers. All was ready, when TO the
establishment cfthe spectators, Ben De-
sha, hastily advanced, and Selling Gen,
Conway by the shoulder, exclaimed
''D--n you, why do you not stand fair:
Are YOU coward: - jf..
If you do that again, | will shoot
you, by Heaycn," shouted Wharton
Rector, cnraged at the uri fair conduct of
Crittenden's second.
''Y our idle menaces cannot deter me
from the performance of my duty" re-
piled Desha, as, with smile, he walk
ed back to his place He had gained
his object. Conway was excited by the
insult to the verge of Ehrenzy. His face
flushed, and his nerves shook with pas
sion. He was not physically III the best
state to drive the centre of a target.
Desha had the word, and he waited sew
eral minutes before pronouncing ii.
This was contrary to all rule, and served
to madden Conway more and more.
{ While the two antagonists were thus
standing in position, the spectators at a
glance contrasted their aspect and bear
ing. Crittenden inherited the noblest
of human forms, with fair hair, blue
eyes, and lofty countenaGce, frank and
open in its expression, and wearing the
seal of death-de6ing bravery. He
, stood calm, collected, and unconcerned,
like riheman about to fire at a mark.
: But Conway had a stern face, eyes dark
as night, and his look of indubitable
, courage was perceptibly tinged with re-
venge. Owing to the insults of Ben
! Desha, all his limbs were tremulous with
, rage.
At length Desha gave the word, in a
voice that rung afar over the hills like
, the peal of trumpet-'tFre! One!--
| two!--three!'' .e ,....
AT the sound Of "Firc!" Conway, still
under the effects of the previous agita-
: ton, instantly raised his weapon and
pulled the trigger.-His bullet grazed
: the others breast, and cut button of
5 his coat, without more injury But
: Crittenden waited till the last echo OF
: the word two, and then his pistol ex-
1 plOded With the roar, General Con
! way dropped to the earth like lead
4 The ball had pierced through his heart
A Thus ended the first great party duel
in Arkansas. 1t was followed in swift
/ succession by nearly dozen more Of
G the like character, and, without single
exception, mortal. till the people them
t selves grew sick and weary of the muir.
). derous exhibition Crittenden surviv.
, ed Conway only few years, and dice
e of tormenting fever. His rival hat
i the easiest death. ~. t.
; VALUE OF AN ORoHARD.-Eyery farm
er or mechanic who owns an acre of Ian,
should supply it with fruit trees. The
, fruit would always bring good price il
!, the market; and when perfectly ripe, i
|. very wholesome for children. In 1885
farmer had an acre of pasture lant
; worth about SIS or $40. He removed
5 the large rocks with which it was cover
ed, and set out thirty-six apple trees
> which hourished exceedingly well, an,
u !. have since paid him for his trouble. Tn
u land is now worth 5000. He recon
mends as a wash for trees, a pound G
a !, potash to a pailiaf of water. % i
q The same individual states, that fe,
: years ago, he had an old orchard of fou
q or five acres which had not been plough
ed for thirty years, which his neighbor
e said was worthless. He pursued tn
Ii fcame course the two followinp wears