Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1856-08-28
Gboits Mistfllmp.
A Duel on Sugar Loaf Hill.

very laughable circumstance is sad TO
have occurred in Albany, during a session
of the Legislature at the Capitol several
years ago-of course before the prohibition
of duelling bv statute in this State.
1t was an exciting political time, and ow
ing to some "words spoken in debate" BY d
heated member. during the cheated term,''
touching stmewhat upon the private char
acter of brother member, challenge was
forthwith dispatched to the offending men,
Der by "friend," as such a messenger is
called in the language of the code of honor.
The challenge was at once accepted.
Pleased with this prompiness, the second
said:
"When can we except your friend!''
"Don't want any friends" said the
challenged party. 81 waive all such ad-
vantages. He can have a dozen, if he
wishes"
"This is magnanimous, but it is not ac-
cording to the code Well, sir-if I am
to confer with you directy--what weap
ons!"
"Broad-swords."
"The time"
"Day after tomorrow, a; noon. precise
ly.,'
"What place!"
"At o., on the ST. Lawrence. Your
principal shall stand on one side of the river,
and will stand on the other, and we will
fgh, it out"
The second frowned.
@ "This is no jestIng matter, sir. You are
not serious"
ssWhy, yes am, too! Hasn't the chal-
lenged party right to the choice Of weap-
ons and place!"
= "Well-yes--sir; but not to unusual
|, weapons in unusual places"
- "Very we'll: pistols will not be object ed
to, of course!"
"Assurely not; the gentleman's weapon
"Very good, then. We will meet to-mor-
row in the little village OF E., and at
twelve O'Clock, precisely, we will fight on
the top of Sugar loaf Hill;' standing back to
back, marching ten PAGES, then turning and
firing. Will that arrangement be satisfac-
tory!"
at will. We shall be there"
And the parties separated.
Now, sSugar-loaf Hill,' sat the place
aforesaid was exactly what its name i'm
ports-a sharp, conical pillar of ground re-
markable to the immedia Ie country round fer
its peculiar formation.
The time arrived, and the parties appear
ed on the ground: but the state of the case
leaked out very quick.
"SrI" said the second, as he arrived with
his almost breathless principal at the apex
of the Sugar-loaf, and surveyed the grount
-''sir! this is another subterfuge! Wha
kind of place is this Cor duel with pistols
back to back, and forward march of ter
PAGES! Why, sir, both parties would bt
cut of sight at eight PAGES, let olonc ten: anc
in turning to fire you must fire into the side
hill"
$50 much the better for both of us,, an
swered the party Of the second part:' 'w,
are on terms of perfect equality, which
is not always the case in modern duels."
Out spske the challenging principal,
then, in words too plain to be misunder
stood
s'S1R!" he said to the second principal. a
the same time locking daggers at him
"Sir-r-r, you are a corodrd!''
"Well s'posin, am. You knero l was
or you would not have challenged mel"
"They do say" that the two parties tina
Went down the steep side of Sugar-loa
Hill, on that memorable occasion, were a
difficult of reconciliation was when they as
cended it's sides: and moreover, that the,