The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1849-12-08
Tn. PIr-t Duel In Ark.n.a..

The following tragic events occurred MANY yeaTe
ago, but are interesting now. During the canvass
OF an election district, Gen. Conway and Nj Crt-
tender were opposing candidates They were
both 10 speak al 4 certain plsce, and Critic nden,
who vas a perfect genllema", and wished, II pos
si1e 10 avoid night or any hostile feelings, spoke
FIRST He had heard that Gen. Conway vas going
10 insult him so as 10 provoke a fight. He made
a splendid speech, and entirely abstained from the
use Of language personally offensive 10 HE antsso-
mist He wound mp By saying, and his eyes shot
lightning be said 10, 'thst he trusted no gentle
man would utter words ia The heat OF debate, TO-
ward him, such as could not be tolerated by the
code Of honor"
Conway took FIRE like powder at q torch. He
bounded 70 his feet, and poured forth on the head
Of his opponent torrent OF the most bitter snd
banning denunciatiOn.
Crittenden rejoned with but single sentence
''Your language, General Con say, admits Of only
one answer, and that, YOU may be cure, ! will
make right speedily" He then descended from
the platform, and, attended BY few select friends,
hurried away TO his hotel. HIS second waited on
Conway the same evening, and hostile meeting
was arranged for the following morning.
vast throng collected at the tune and place
appointed 20 witness the duel. The seconds were
Col. Wharton Rector for Conway, and Ben Desha
for Cfittenden AS the seconds IN all such mortal
combats are often mere important, as respects the
final result, than even the principals themselves,
we may be pardoned for sketching The who
acted in the present case.
Wharton Rector wss a protested duelist, notorl-
ous alike for the number and fatality Of his mur.
derous conflicts. He universally feared
throughout the West, from ST. Louis 10 New Or
ieans. although in some shrewd minds there had
always fingered a doubt of the character Of bis
courage. These thought the desperate relied on
his immense personal strength, and the dead.ines'
Of bis aim, rather than on innate and unconquefs'
bic bravery.
Ben Desha, a son OF the celebrated Governor o.
Kentucky, had but recently emigraied 10 Arkan
sss. His pr0wese was not known, but only i'm
sgined from his singular and striking appearance
He was q tall, pale, slender man, whose thin
lips wore an everlasting smile, OF sDeer-ons
could hardly tell which, 90 ambiguous was its en-
pTession-and his eyes were as small as an In
fsnrs, fierce, Tediss, and unutteraoly piercing
Such dasger-ke eyes, causing every gazer TO qusii
could never belong 10 coward. This, at least
was the general belief Of all who saw him.
As soon as the parties appeared on the ground
they began 10 make their Arrangements, and &c
rious difficulties arose between the seconds Of
various points OF order. While the dispute as Q
these were pending for almost an hour, Conws
became restless, angry and agitated, while CriI
tenden, trusting ali 10 his friend, lay quietly on
blanket, with bis eyes shut, IS II enjoying com
Portable slumber.
Finally ever, Thing was settled, and the prime
Psls took their positions with their pistols cock et
and their fingers on the trigsers. All was ready
when, 70 the establishment of the spectators, BE
Doshs hastily advanced, and seizing Gen. Cows
rUdey By the shoulder, exclaimed, "D-n yol
Why do you not stand fart Are you coward
"l You do that again, | will shoot you,
HesvenF" shouted Wharton Rector, earaged
ne unfair conduct Of CTtlenden's second.
"four idle mensce cannot deter me from n
performance Of my duty" replied Deshs, as, Wi
smile, he walked back 10 his place. lie ht
gained his object Conway was excited by Il
insult to The verge of phlenEy. His face 6ushe
and hin nerves shook with passion. lie was n
physically Ia the best state 70 drive the centre
atsrget Desha had the word, and he waited Sc
eral minutes before psonouncingit. This was CO
Tsry 10 all rule, and served TO madden Conw
more and more.
While the two antagonists were thus stsndi
40 position, the spectators at glance contrast
then inspect and bearing. Crittenden Inherit
The MODEST OF human forms, with fair hair, BIZ
eyes, and o lofty eountensnce, frank and open
~ expression, and wearing the seal Of deaih-d
lying bravery. He stood calm, collected and U
concernec, like rifemea about 10 IRE at maj
Bat Conway had q stern face, eyes dark as nigl
81 he iook of undoubtable courage was percs
III xnyonG0s. OWN 2 tae insn