The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1849-11-22
From The New York Sunday Times.
ROBERT CRITTENDEN.

AND THE FIRST GREAT DUEL IN ARKANSAS.
Arkansas has been the land of bloody
duels. In other countries, such rem
counters, however frequent, are seldom
fatal. But in Arkansas, until very re-
cent period, both their number and NOR
tally have been alike astonishing.
Scarcely a single combat of the kind
has occurred unattended with immediate
death to one or both of the antagonists,
and often to both.
This singular fact seems 30 have been
chiefly owing to the con,emporaneous
action of two causes. First the bellig-
erent character of the people, so intens-
ly destructive; and secondly, the pecul-
lar nature of their quarrels, resulting
mostly from feelings of faction and po-
Iitical partisanship. A special subsid-
larry, tending powerfully to the same re-
suit, may be found in the despotic force
of example, and the strong prociivity OF
the masses to initiate their superiors,
and particularly their recognized lead
ers. Had the first duel ever waged in
Arkansas been the work of mediocre or
ignoble men, it might have excited emo
|tions of disgust or contempt, and GER
tainIy never would have become a pre-
cedent to be quoted in speech and copi-
ed IN conduct SO extensively as it was.
Unfortunately, however, 1t was the dead
! ly strife Of two great rivals, individuals
of eminent talents and all-commanding
influence, and political chieftains both.
Hence it was, and is still, rule of con-
trolling authority to which perpetual
reference is always had in affairs Of ho,s-
or. In such cases, whenever a difficulty
arises as to a point of etiquette or order
in the arrangements, an appeal is usu-
ally made to ''the grand duel betwixt
Crittenden and Conway" the history Of
which we will now proceed to detail.
In 1880, Crittenden and Conway be-
gan to canvass the Territory as oppo-
nents for the office of delegate to the SUI
preme Congress of the nation, the for
mer being a Wing and the latter Dem
ocrat The field was altogether new
parties had not yet been organized, and
all was in state of transition-agitated
stormy and doubtful. The magnifcence
of the prize for which they struggled
stimulated the. rivals to the highest de-
gree of enthusiasm, until the strife be
came maddening and burst over all the
boundaries of decent language, and ever
common courtesy. 1t was generally be-
lieved that whatsoever party acquired
the ascendancy now, would be enable,
to kept long while, perhaps for ever
Under such circumstances, the excite
ment of the people and their leader
may be imagined.
For time the opposing candidate
pursued different circuits, one sweepin;
the stumps of the north, and the othe
those Of the south. They were proba
bly, induced to take this course in the frs
instance from the same motive-the de
sire to avoid personal collision; 70
they. seem all along to have dreaded sue
a termination. The sovereign voters
however. were dissatisfied with this dis
tant cannonade. They loudly demand
ed that the champions should be brough
!. to close quarters, SO as to afford an op
,,portunity of deciding their RESPECTIVE
merits with the senses and by immediat
contrast. Hence the political chieftain
lwere forced to submit, and the primar
--I'spitched battls'' was appointed to com
Ioff at Little Rock, in midsummer.
4 On the day designated, an irnrncns
Iconcourse assembled to witness the tris
of strength. Intense was the ferner
lof passionate feeling. Many spectator
L4sx 1910 HH L