The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1855-03-14
The Duel between Dewitt Clinton
and John Swartwout.


The following is a correct account of
a duel fought in the year 1902 by Dewitt
Clinton and John Swartwout, in which the
late Richard Riker and Mr w. s. Smith
acted as seconds The latter gentleman
relates the particulars:
The ground being correctly measured,
and intermediate question adjusted, the
gentlemen took their stations-werc each
presented with pistol, and, by order,
faced to the right and fired Intellectually.
AT the request of Mr.. Riker, l asked
Mr.. Swartwout, Are you satisfied ,sir2"
He answered, " am not" The pistols
then being exchanged and their positions
resumed.by order, the gentlemen faced to
the right, and fired a second shot, without
effect At The request of Mr.. Riker, l
again asked Mr. Swartwout, "Are you
satisfied, sir2" lie answered. IL am
not-neither shall be until that apollo
gy is made which 1 have demanded
Until then, we must proceed" I then
presented paper to Mr.. Rikor. contain
ing the apology demanded, for Mr.. Clin-
toms signature, observing that we could
not spend our time in conyersation-
that this paper must bo signed or pro-
coed. Mr. Clinton declared he would
not sign any paper on the subj ct-that
he had no animosty against Mr.. Swart-
wout-would willingly shake hands and
agree to meet on the score of former
friendship
Mr.. Swartwout, insisting on his sigma
ture to the apology and Mr. Clinton de-
cining, they stood at thoir posts and
fred third shot. Mr.. Clinton's ball
struck Mr. Swartwout's left leg, about
five inches below the knee he stood
ready aud collected. At the request of
MIR. Rihcr, I again addressed Mr. Swart-
won't, Are you satisfied sir" lie an
swcred, that -" it is useless to repeat the
qucstion-my determination is fixed and
| beg we may proceed " Mr.. Clinton
repeated that he had no aumosity a.
gainst Mr.. Stwartwou, was sorry for
what had passed proposed to advance.
shake hands and bury the circumstance
in oblivion. During this conversation,
Mr.. Swartwout's surgeon, kneeling by his
side. extracted the ball from the opposite
side of his leg Mr. Swartwout standing
erect on his post aud positively dcclin-
ing anything of an ample apology. They
fired the fourth shot, and Mr.. Swartwout
received the ball in the left leg, about
five inches above the aukle; still, how.
ever, standing steadily on his post. per-
fectly composed. At the request of Mr..
Riker. l again addressed Mr.. Swartwout,
" Are you satisfied, sir2" He forcibly
answered. IL am not, sir--procecd."
Mr.. Clinton then quit his station, declin-
ed the combat and declared he would
fight no more. Mr.. Swartw out express
cd himself surprised that Mr.. Clinton
would neither apologize nor give him the
satisfaction required and addressing me,
said, What shall ! do, my friend ?" l
answered, " Mr.. Clinton declines making
the apology rcquired-refuses taking his
position--and positively declares he will
fight no more aud his second appearing
to ocquesce in the disposition of his
principal, there is nothing further left
for you now. but to have your wounds
dressed The surgeon attended. dress
ed Mr.. Swartwout's wounds, and the gen.
tlemcn, in their respective barges, re-
turned to tho city.