Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1856-05-14

where the spectators were not grained
by Witnessing the slaughter of one OF
both of the ambitious rivals.
As may be easily imagined, the post
of an editor was the most perilous Of all
others; and hence, the opposing factions
respectively selected the entire corps 10
manage their journals from the most
desperate adventures that could be mus
tered, and paid them accordingly to do
their own fighting and that of all their
anonymous correspondents. In some
instances, thousands of dollars were ex-
pended as mere premiums, besides the
cffer of enormous salaries, TO secure the
pen and pistol of the most notorious du-
elists in the Southwest. could specify
one man, an ex-senator, who owed his
rise to this very circumstance.
However, leaving these vague gener-
alities, the following brief sketch OF
striking and real particulars will afford
tolerable conception of the stern trials
incident to editorial life.
"Early in the month of July, 1899,
Israel Woods. the proprietor of the Ar
kansas Democrat, was seated in his
sanctum, busily employed in the man.
ufacture OF written slander for his week
ly issue. A single glance at his person
was truly enough 10 make an ordinary
beholder tremble with apprehension; for
you might search the wide world with
out finding his superior in physical pow
er and agility. In the prime of life and
robust health; he seemed mighty mass
of iron bones and elastic sinews-strong
as the mythic Milo when he rent the an
cient oaks. His hands looked like
sledge-hammers and his countenance
bore the impress of reckless bravery
a sort Of mute defiance and challange TO
all the heroes Of the human race. His
eyes were of peculiar tint-that fierce
reddish yellow which resembles the iris
of the eagle-ofall colors considered the
sign of the most dangerous character.
Indeed he had acquired his title to be
placed foremost in the highest class of
the fighting chivalry by daring feats
performed in all the principal cities of
the South, from Charleston to New Or
leans. Nevertheless, he had more sense
than TO rely with impunity on the terror
which his name so irresistibly inspired.
His Office was an armoIy. A huge
double barrellcd shot gun hung at a
short distance above his head, and half
a dozen loaded pistols lay beside him on
the table, while the silver hilt of dag
ger peeped from beneath his vest. He
was ready for immediate battle, who
ever might be the assailant.
Suddenly footsteps resounded the floor
behind him, and stout, dark featured
man of middle age, with long, flowing
hair of raven hue and flashing black
eyes, rushed into the room in state of
wild and almost phrenzied excitement,
and threw himself into seat.
The editor, at first anticipating hos
tile visit, cooked a revolver, but instant.
ly perceived his mistake, deposited the
weapon at his elbow, exelaiming as he
did so-"What now, Elias Wharton?-.
Is there new tempest brewing in the
political atmospheric
"Just look here!" calculated the 9TH
er, with an infuriate gesture, pointing to
a column of the Arkansas Whig, which
he held up. with the ink not yet dry on
the paper.
Woods snatched the article from the
fingers of his friend, and devouring the
contents with a rapid glance, uttered a
malediction too horrible for record, while
his lips turned white with rage and dis
appointment.
"Is not that too bad?" vociferated
Wharton. clinching the interrogatory
with still more dreadful oath. "Who
could have expected in the meridian of
Little Rock, to see philippe against du-
elling?"
"And an apreal TO the religious preju-
dices of the people?" added the editor,
till his brows met in frightful
arch.
ayes; and the cunning scoundrel has
10 lay all the blame of such
,ombats on the Democrats, from the
first settlement of the country!" affirmed |
he other.
"And he has given the history of all
my encounters, from my stabbing soph-
omore at the University of Virginia, till
my n1e battle with Doctor wilson, |
Woods.
"And that TRADE alone will do more |
injury to our party than anything that
has happened for years." remarked |
Wharton.
"Who can the writer be?" asked the |
editor in a musing tone.
81 cannot so much as imagine" )" re-
urned the friend. lit is not the learned |
md lugubrious style of Pike, nor the
howy defamation of Absalom Fowler.
t must be some new hand in the prolific
ield of whiggery.
"What shall we do TO spike this fresh
yun in the battery?-for, unless that