American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1858-03-12
From fhe Pihsburg Chronicle.
Tho Code DucilO' in Pittsburgh.


Hostile Meeting between Steamboat
Captain and Wood Street Mer-
chant at Collins Pork: the former
falls at the First fire, and the latter
runs away-FuU particulars Of the
Affair, &c., Sc.
A day or two since a mysterious no
tice appeared in our advertising col
umns, in relation to certain arrange
ments for hostile meeting that was
in contemplation between two of our
citizens. Though assured that duel
was about to be fought, and that the
advertisement was in good faith, we
had strong misgivings that the matter
was "sell," and therefore forebore
alluding to it; but circumstances have
since transpired which have dispelled
our doubts on the subject; a duel has
been fought, and the challenger in the
affair, has had his wounded honor sat
isticd, at an expense, however, far too
high even for'such qualification
The parties to the affair are two re-
spectacle citizcns-the one doing bust
ness as n merchant on one of our prin.
cipal thoroughfares, and one of the
last gentlemen in the city whom we
would suspect of possessing q blood
thirsty temperament and the other q
steamboat man Of mild disposition,
and unusually popular with such as en-
joy the pleasure of his acquaintance.
The unfortunate occurrence had its
origin in this wise: The partiss met on
Wednesday evening while indulging
in II game of billiards, the merchant
Imagined himself insulted by some ex-
pressione which fell from the other and
instead of taking satisfaction in man
ly way, followed the valorous exam
| pie recently set to the country, in
Washington, and sent him challenge
through a second, inviting him to 'cof-
fee and pistols for two orpistols rath.
erwithout the coffee; for in these de.
generate days our duelists lack that
IpoIltenes and courtesy which almost
invariably marked the challenges and
meetings of TIE admirers of the ''codo
duello' Of the olden times. The steam
boat gentleman was rather taken a
back when the challenge reached him;
but possessing "somo pluck" and be-
lieving himself more " "sinned against
than SHINING" in the matter, he con-
cluded to accept, and named rifles at
thirty PAGES as the weapons with which
the difficulty should be settled.
The merchants second brought the
answer back, but ''dry goods" declin
cd the terms, alleging that the rifle
proposition was a brutal one, and con.
trary alike to the principles Of human
ity and the 'code duello." Steam
boat however insisted upon the choice
of weapons as the challenged party,
and the matter ended in sort of wran-
gle, and without any satisfactory un-
derstanding having been arrived at
either by the principals or seconds
On Friday afternoon the parties met a.
gain, and Mr.. Merchant throwing out
some inuendoes rejecting on the cour-
age Of the river man, which came to the
ear of the latter, he selected a gentle
man in the room to act for him in the
matter, and sent message to his op-
ponent that he would meet him that c.
vening provided he would fight with
muskets at thirty PAGES.
The merchant again refused, dcclar-
ing the terms at variance with every
thing humane and Of so blood thirsty
a character that he could not accept
them. A consultation between the
seconds then followed, and after much
wrangling and discussion, the merchant
consented to fight with shot guns, and
Collins Park, near East Liberty was
selected as the place of meeting, Two
umpircs were chosen, and we'll known
! physician on Fourth street waited on,
with instructions to be at'Collin's Park
at five o'clock the hour fixed for the
"phlght." The parties then proceed.
cd to Cartrights, and there the um.
| pires selected the weapons, powder,
&c; but again another difficulty arose
which vas only settled by the steam
BOAT gentleman consenting to meet the
merchant on Ills own terms-namelv
with pistols at ten PAGES, the parties
to stand with their backs toward each
other, aud to fire at the word, "three"
when given by the umpires.
The heprinciples and their seconds, each
occupying sererato conyeyanCos, then
started from Pattcrson's livery stable
for cast Liberty, followed by the um-
plrcs and physician, and steamboat
captain, who learned incidentally of
the affair, and was anxious to sec how
his friend would deport himself in tho
trying scene that was to follow. Be.
/ c. l. = 4 :.