Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1854-12-16
Fatal Duel in California.

Fatal Duel in California.
Again does il fall 10 our lot saws The
Alta California, to chronicle one %! those
unhappy events too frequent IN ihIH State
which has cast dark shadow over one
hearth al leas, and eil one heart desolac.
The principles in this duel were AchiI-
les kewen and Col. Wood.jef. The par
uculars. as well as could be a>cerlaned.
are as follows: last Friday evening Mr..
Kewen and the Co.0aei wer", with sever
al others. in the saloon known as the
Blue Wing" Montgomery street. III"
conversation was principally on The poll-
ties Of the day, and became rather an'ma-
ted. The colonel remarked 10 hewen
that he was "A id "know-Nothmg;
upon which Kcwen struck him on tie
mouth with his hand. Friends inlcrIcred
and arrested further proceedings at that
time. 1t is said that on Monday NJ.
kewen sought out Col. Woudlie( and Of
fered an apology, which was refused. The
offer was again renewed, kewen stating
that he would make the apology in writing
if it would be more acceptable. The Col
onel IN the mean time had sent challenge
and he expressed his determination 10
TO have il settled in the usual manner.
Friends were accordingly chosen, and II
was concluded TO cross the bay and ad-
just the difficulty by recourse TO fire.
arms.
Yesterday morning the parties left irt
the Oakland lerry-boal al 7 o'clock in Ihc
morning. Several persons in the city,
having been informed of what was going
on, crossed over in the fGFry-boaL On
arriving at Oakland the parties proceeded
shcr, distance outside OF the City Limits.
/ The friends of Mr.. kewcn were Mcssrs.
Wake Briarlv and Robert Wood. Cot.
Woodlicf's friends were Capt. Skcrrctt
and Major Mcdonald. The arms chosen
for the occasion were Mississippi yagers.
The grouud was being marked of when
deputy sheriff Simons, who had got wind
of the affair, made lis appearance and or
dcred them to desist The parties then
got into their carriages and left with the
determination to cross into another cOun-
ty. After continuing the Journey for some.
time, until they were about len miles from
Oakland and in the county OF AIvarado,
they dismOunted and ascendcd hill near
10y, followed by a crowd, which by this
time had increased to about one hundred
and fifty persons. On the ridge Of the
hill they halted; the ground was marked
off forty PAGES, the principles took their
places, and on the word "fre" being
given both wheeled and fred, the ball
from Mr.. Kewcn's rap passing complete
y through lhe heart Of Col WoodIiel and
out at his back, killing him instantly. This
disastrous affair took place about one o.
clock. The body Of the Colonel was
brought over TO the city in The Gcrry-boa!.
last evening. The scene, when the vile
Of the dead man looked upon all that re-
mained Of the former partner Of her joys
and sorrows, who, but few short hours
before, had gone forth in the strength and
prime Of manhood, is said by those who
were preseaI 10 have been Affecting in the
extreme.
Mrs. WooGlief accompanied her Lus-
band on the occasion, and stopped in San
Antonio while the party went out. She
returned with the body TO the Tehama
House.
Devereux J. Woodlef was born in.
Greenville county, Virginia, and moved to
Texas more than twenty years ago. lie
was elected Colonel IN The Texan army,
and was IN active service during the revo-
luton there. Subsequently he was one
of the Texas rangers. During the Mcxl-
can war he accompanied the Aineucsa
forces as an amateur warrior, and was DIS
IInguished for tie independent melh0d IN
which he took his POSITIONS during tie bat
ties anil the accuracy Of bis Workmanship.
lie had been engaged in q number o! ducs.
had been woauded a number OF lines ~
battles, and carries 10 his grave three bur
lets IN his body. lie came - CaIilpuIa
IN lS49, and was collector Of tie lO!ci-n
miners lax in Calaveras couCiy.
Sonny, where - Your Father 2 'Fah-
er's dead, sir Have YOU any moih,r "
Yes. J. have one, bat she's pot E.arfirh
lu John D%ukIIn, and don't be NY mnrhrr
any EOre, cause she ssys she's gnl enough
" DC ~ lend her own young 'uns.'
A lirle boy, i've years old, willie VII
hing nnd lhe lures Of agHe. was loId
by lis molher Ia RE up and take ppw-
Ger Size bad prepared fOr LIu. 'powI,r!
powder J saIJ he, raising himself on one
elbow and putting on fosu'sh smile.
Mother, ! su' gun =
Does the Court unJer.iand you 10 -ay,