Weekly national intelligencer., 1854-12-09
ANOTHER FATAL DUEL IN CALIFORNIA.

FROM THE SAN FRANCISCO "ALrA CALIFORNIA" 8.
Again does it fall to our lot to chronicle one of those
unhappy events too frequent in this State which has
cast dark shadow hearth a least and left
heart desolSte.
The principles in this duel ACHILLES KEwEN and
Col WoopLIEF. The particulars, well as could be
certained are as follows Last Friday evening Mr. Kew
and the colonel were, with several Others the
loon known the g Blue Wing" Montgomery street
The conversation principally on the politics Of the
day, and became rather animated The colonel remark
ed to Kewen that he id " Know Nothing; :; upon
which Kewen struck him on the mouth with his hand
Friends interfered and arrested further proceedings at
that time is said that Monday Mr.. Kewen sought
out Col Woodef and offered apology, which was re-
fused The offer again renewed Kewen stating that
he would make the apology in writing if it would be
acceptable. The colonel in the mean time had sent
challenge and he expressed his determination to have it
settled in the usual manner. Friends accordingly
chosen it concluded to the bay and adjust
the difficulty by recourse to firearms.
Yesterday morning the parties left in the Oakland fer
ry-boat at o'clock in the morning Several persons in
the city, having been informed of what going on,
crossed in the ferryboat. On arriving at Oakland
the parties proceeded short distance outside Of the city
limits. The friends Of Mr. Kewen Messrs. Wake
Brarly and Robert Wood. Col Woodlef's friends were
Capt Skerrett and Major Mcdonald The arms chosen
for the occasion Mississippi yagers. The ground
was being marked off when deputy sheriff Simons, who
had got wind OF the affair, made his appearance and
dered them to desst The parties then got into their
carriages and left with the determination to into
another county After continuing the journey for
time, until they about ten miles from Oakland and
in the county of Ayarado they dismouned and assembled
hill by, followed by crowd, which by this time
had increased to about hundred and fifty persons
On the ridge Of the hill they halted; the ground was
marked of forty paces the principals took their places.
and the word " fire. being given both wheeled and
fred the ball from Mr. Kewens rifle passing completely
through the heart of COL Woodef and out at his back,
killing him instantly This disastrous affair took place
about O'clock The body Of the colonel brought
to the city in the eyboat last evening The scener
when the wife of the dead looked upon a that re-
maned 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
present to have been affecting in the extreme.
Mrs Woodlief accompanied her husband on the occa-
sion and stopped in San Antonio while the party went
She returned With the body to the Tehama House.
DEvRREUx ]. WoopLIEF was born in Greenvie county,
Virginia, and moved to Texas than twenty years
ago. He was elected colonel in the Texan army, and
in active service during the revolution there Sub
sequently he of the Texas Rangers During the
Mexican he accompanied the American forces as on
amateur warrior and distinguished for the indepen
dent method in which he took his positions during the
battles and the accuracy Of his craftsmanship He had
been engaged in number Of duels, had been wounded
number Of times in battle and carries to his grave three
bullets in his body He to California in lo49 ana
was collector Of the foreign miners tax in Caayeras
county.