The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-09-30
DUEL BETWEEN GEO PEN JOHNSTOy AND
W. j. FERGUSON nrE

The California papers give the particulars OF duel
which fought at Angel Island, in the Bay Of San
Francisco, Saturday, the 2lst of August between
Geo. Pen Johnston and w. j. Ferguson, State senator
from Sacramento. Late the "Wednesday evening pre-
vious the principals with several Others were assembled
in bar at San Francisco, drinking, talking poll
tics, and joking with each other. Ferguson got the
laugh Johnston often that the latter became vexcd
and serious Ferguson then repeated some rhyme from
the Butte Record, announcing by the Atlantic telegraph
the arrival of Mrs. Gwn in England Johnston became
indignant and Ferguson contended that the mention Of
Mrs OWNS name could not be taken personal alu,
sion to her. Tho lie was then exchanged and the par
ties then made rush for each other but separated
Johnston then accused Ferguson of breaking faith with
him at Sacramento, in having agreed 10 induce the anti
Lccompton convention not TO make nominations for
Congress if the Lecompton convention did not. Fergu-
replied by denying the charge, and told Johnston
where to find him the next day. and added that this
of little use Johnston had put UP with insult from
him at Sacramento which no gentleman would have
done Before leaving, Ferguson called those present TO
witness that the quarrel had not grown out of an insult
to lady. On Friday morning, Ferguson received per
emptory challenge from Johnston, through VIM. B. Dam
eron and the bearer ut referred to NJ Ee The
prelmnaries at arranged and the parties metal
Angel island about five o'clock on Saturday, with their
seconds and surgeons About hundred persons
present The weapons chosen the common duellng
PISTOLS with hair triggers and the principals took their
positions at the stakes ten PAGES apart.
First re.---1he word given by Cameron and both
pistols went off simultaneously at the word "hre
Neither party struck hut the wind from Fergusons
ball made the dust fly from the back Of Johnstons coat
Second fire The distance decreased to little
six PAGES, as per agreement The excitement be-
intense the antagonists both showed disposition
to get the first shot, every thought IL would finish
the duel Both gentlemen fired at the instant but
in their hurry did not wait to raise the weapon half high
enough and Johnston's ball entered the ground few
feet of, while Fergusons also powed the dirt about
midway. Here ensued of so lulicrous nature
as to spoil entirely the tragic effect Of the fight After
the firing Johnston gazed forward nently to see his adj
yesary fall which Ferguson noticing pointed his pistol
at the place where the ball had struck and said loosely
There you - to which Johnston replied, pointing
to Fergusons poor shot and his own, 'Im here, and
you are there Third fire both pistols brought
to horizontal position, and Ferguson fired at the
first word but without effect. Johnston took deib.
crate aim, and only fired before the word "two
The effect electrical, and doubted fatal
result Ferguson braced himself to receive the shot
and, as he did So heard to say Elm gone com
munity u And then, the explosion occurred, he
started as II shot that Esel at and took
him In his arms But he only windcJ the ball graz
ing the whiskes of his chin Johnston looked yexed at
the result; many think that Johnston received Ferga
sons fire and reserved his purposey, for the sake
aim but his friends deny this Here Estcll, as
second to the challenged party and according the code
walked up to Cameron TO learn his wishes Johnston DO
manded an apology another shot-eome say written
apology, Esen communicated the answer, when Fer
guson lost his temper turned pale and instructed his
second TO inform his adversres that they would obge
him by continuing to reload and fire. without further in
terrupon They fired the fourth shot nearly simutane
ousy, when Ferguson staggered his left leg for mo-
ment and his second had just time to break his fall to
the ground, while Johnston seen to wheel slightly
but not fall The bali entered the outside of Fcrgusons
right thigh, and broke the bone making large wound
Ferguson ball passed in front of Jobnstons abdomen
cut the front button from the top of his panaloons ana
tore small piece OF flesh from his left wrs which had
slightly pfUrudcd In front OF the line Of his body Pu
Without njulingthe bone. Ferguson was Immediately
brought TO his room, at the Union Hotel San FlanessG
He suffered much pain until the ball extracted The
bone fratdred but the snoral artery was not cut
The safety Of his leg, and even Life depends the aa
sence Of Inflammation. ~