The Placer herald., 1857-12-05
Hon, JOseph G.. McKibben.

The recent affair in which this gentlemen was
engaged at Chambersburg, Penna, has occupied
much of the attention Of the public since the ar
rival of the Sonora. There is not man in CAL
ifornia, whose heart is moved by generous i'm
pulses, who does not sympathse with Mr.. Nc
Kibben in the great wrong he has sufferd and
who would not but have approved the act had he
killed Craig upon the spot.
The following version of the al1ray is from the
pen of Mr.. MeKibben to the Philadelphia Press,
and corrects errors that had been published by
the newspapers in regard to the affair."
PHILADELPHIA. Oct. 3Oth, 1857.
Coi John W. F0rney-Sir: Immediately after
the difficulty at Chambersburg, | returned to our
farm, and have not, until this morning, received
the newspaper versions of the affair 1t appears
that nc arly all the information upon the subject
is derived from one of the parties implicated.
and therefore to be taken with much allowance.
In record to those statements gathered from par
ties who could have seen but little of the aflray,
most of whom received it in an exaggerated
form, propose, as far my recollection will
serve me, a statement of the whole affair. My
younger brother and myself first were aware of
the presence Of Craig at Chambersburg about l
o'clock in The day My father, apprehensve of
our return to town. imposed on us the most posi-
tive injunction thatwe should not do so until after
the departure of the cars at ten minutes after 2
Owing to the fact that our mother was coming
down with some relatives at O'Clock, we gave
him the required promise. ] then stated to my
| father that, from the statements of Craig made
to many parties. (that he expected to fight when
ever we metz, believed that he had come himself
instead of sending his son, in order to rrtate and
prov oke me; and while | would comply with my
promise, yet If Craig stayed an hour after the de-
parture of the cars, he did at his own peril;
that would not and could not suffer the degra-
dation of his presence around home that he had
made desolate.
When we supposed the cars had started, my
brother and myself, promising o-await the arri
val Of my mother and her friends, started to town.
When within short distance of the depot, Rob
ert remarked the cars had not started No words
passed between us; no plan of fight; no concert
of any kind. We walked up, passing the first
car. and thence to the second; my brother re-
marked there he is" | looked in the window.
discovered Craig on the opposite side, and about
four or five feet from me. | should have shot
him there, but it always has been my determina-
ton to open the fight face to face, should we come
| in collision.
told Robert to remain quiet and walked back
some ten fifteen PAGES to the front Of the car |
entered the front door, advanced. think, about
! three or four PAGES. when the sound of shot. |
! believe from Robert, brought my pistol up: do
not know who fred first Craig or myself but my
! impression is that it was almost simultaneous. |
was standing during the first three Of ny own
shots. erect in the center of the car exposed to
! fire so rapid that could not take aim. lest in the
time Of cooking and aiming. he should take de-
| llberatc shot. as he was armed with sefcocking
revolvers. able to fire several shots to my one
| During this time he was almost entirely protected
by the seats. shootngin in STOPPING posture From
| where | stood to the back end OF the Car there
was but one person beside Craig and myself. |
may have passed others in entering the car; but if
So and understand that it is the case. excitement
and irritation. not wantonncss, made me forget
| that | was perling other lives. Alter the above,
Craig and myself both rctrcatcd towards the
! doors-hc to the back one to the front: (this is
| the pursuit mentioncd.) | believe we exchanged
shots at the door, | not certain, but it is said
my last shot was fired outside the car. | stood
| upon the platform of the car. suppoSin@ had eX-
| pended my lasi shot. and the only use could
make of my pistol. and the use did make. was
! to intimidate. When Craig. after leaving the
back end of the car jumped upon the platform,
he and Robert exchanged shots-three or four
each of them partially protected by the columns
Of the porch.
| Craig fired two shots along the car while was
| Watching his proceedings but which did no dam
age, as took my head ont of the way. lie then
! jumped on his end Of the car and down on the
| other side, which the last | saw of him.
Thinking he had run around the depot. we went
around so as to meet him. and prevent him get
ting ut us unawarcs. 1t was there | saw James
|
ports in the llarrisburgh papers. (and who does
not indorse their statemcnts) | misook him.
from size and dress, and pointed my pistol at him.
but in a second discovered my error. My brother
and myself walked up town to reload, not think
ing Craig was hurt. or that he would be able to
get off on the cars. We heard at the gunsmith 5
that Craig was wounded, and we were not arrest
ed, but voluntarily gave ourselves up The above
in all essentials. is correct statement.
[McKibben goes on to correct the statement
published in the Harrisburg HeraM. and adds:]
In conclusion, desire to say. that make this
publication simply from misstatements that preju-
dice others than myself. Had | killed him under
any circumstances, or in any way, it would be no
atonement for the past. | do not think myself
iustifable in risking my life did, in order to
take his If every son ofmy father had combined
to destroy him, there is not an honest heart that
would not say the provocation was more than
sufficient. My sclt-rcspect entirely acquits me in
all that have done; and for nay brother, who in
all probability. saved my life, | know he has the
approval of his conscience-the respect Of all
who cherish the sanctity of their home.
JOS. C. MCKIBBIN.