Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1850-10-17
The first Duel in Arkansa..

oeh' conway and Mr. Crittenden were
opposing candidates. The Conway fam
ny were from Howard county, Mo-
Cr''tenden was brother TO the present
Governor Of Ky.] They were both to
speak at certain place, and Cri,tenden,
who was perfect gentleman. and wished
II possible TO avoid fight or any hostile
feelings. spoke first. He had heard tha,
uen. Conway was going to insult him SO
as to provoke fight. He made a .plen-
did speech. and entirely abstain-d from
the use OF language personally offensive
TO his antagonist. He wound up by .ay-
ing, and his eyes shot lightning a. he said
IT, "that ne trusted no gentleman would
utter words in the heat of debate, towards
him, such a, could not be tolerated by the
code of honor.'
Conway took fire like powder at
torch. He bounded to bis feet, and
poured forth on the head OF bis opponent
torrent Of the most bitter and burning
dennnciaticns.
Crittenden rejoined with bnt a single
<entence.-"Your language, Gen. Con-
way, admits of only one ans wer, and that.
you may be sure, will make right speed
'ly.' He then descended from the plat
form. and, attended by few selected
friends, hurried away to his hotel. Hi.
second waited on Conway the same eve
ming. and hostile meeting was arranged
Tor the following morning.
"A vast throng collected at the time and
place appointed, to witness the duel. The
seconds were Col. Wharton Rector for
Conway, and Ben Drsl:a for Crttenden.-
AS the seconds in all such mortal combats
are often more important, as res poets the
final result, than even the principals
themselves, We may be pardoned for
briefly >ketching the two who acted in the
present case.
Wharton Rector was a professed duel
lst, notorious alike for the number and
fatality of his murderous conflicts. He
was universally feared throughout the
west. from S, Louis to New Orleans, al
though in some shrewd minds there bad
always fingered doubt as 10 the charac-
ter Of his courage. These thought that
the desperate relied on his immense per-
sonal strength. and the deadiness Of his
aim, rather than on innate and unconouer-
able bravery.
Ben De>ha, son of the celebrated gov
ernor of Kentucky, had but recently emf
grated to Arkansas. His prowess was
moi known. but only imagined from his
singular and striking appearance. He
was tall, pale, slender man, whose thin
lip wore an everlasting smile, or sneer-
one cr't'id hardly tel! which, =. ....l.;s..~
Gus was its expres>ion-and his ewes
were small as an infants, fierce, reddish
and unui'erable piercing. Such Dagger
like eyes. causing every gazer to quail,
could never belong to coward. This. at
least, was the general belief O! all who
ever saw him.
As soon as the parties appeared on the
ground, they began to make their arrange
ment>, and serious difficulties arose be-
tween the seconds on various points Of
order. While the dispute as 10 these was
pending for almost an hour. Conway be-
came restless, angry and agitated, while
Crittenden, trusting all TO his friend. lay
quiet on blanket, with his eyes shut as
if ENJOYING comfortable slunher.
Finally every thing 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 Of the spectators, Ben
Desha hastily advanced, and seizine Gen
Conway by the shoulders, exclaimed---
DIN you, why do you not stand fair p
care YOU coward ?'
"lf you do that again, I will shoot you,
by H-aven!' shouted Wharton Rector,
enraged at the unfair conduct Of Critten-
den's second.
''l our idle menances cannot deter me
from the performances Of nv duty" re-
piled Desha, as, with smile, he walked
back to his place. He had gained his OBJ
ject. Conway wa. excited by the insult
to the verge Of phrenzy. His face flushed,
and his nerves shook with passion. He
was not physically in the best state to
drive the centre of a target. Desha had
the word, and he waited several minutes
before pronouncing it. This was contra
~ TO the 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 bearing.
Crit,enden Inherited the nobest of human
forms, with fair hair, blue eyes, and
lofty countenance, frank and open in its
expression, and wearing the seal of death
detying bravery. H. stood calm, collect
ed and unconquered, like rifieman about
to fire at mark. But Conway had
stern face, eyes dark as night, and hi.
look of indnpitable courage was percepti-
bly, ,inged with revenge.
AT length Desha gave the word, in
voice that rung atar over the hills like the
peal Of trumpet-"Fire! One! two!
three !"
At the sound "Fire!' Conway, still
under the effects of the previous agitation,
instantly raised his weapon and pulled
trigger. His bullet grazed the others
breast, cutting button off hi, coat, with
ont more injury. But Cri,tenden waited
till the last echo of the word two," and
then mis- pistol exploded. With the roar
Gen. Conway dropped to the earth dead.
The bail had pierced through his heart.
Tins ended the first great party duel
in Arkansas. 1t was followed in swift
succession by nearly dozen more Of
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