Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1858-09-25

The following article, with regard to the late LAM.
entable duel, We take from the San francisco Bull
kh and believe it to be correct in every particular
4 few days ago the sacramento Bee published an
edit"rial article furnished by the nsinuating Cen
Estcll, in which it was directly charged that the
duel originated from other than the causes assigned
in fact that GWin, at the time Of the Senatorial
election, had given Ferguson a more humating
letter than the one Brodcrck caused to be publish
ed" aud that the friends Of q. insisted on giving
it up 4Jttr the article appeared in the bee, Escll,
Broderick's compaisant maid If all work." pub
lished card in the -iLa very sImilar-so similar,
indeed that the vcrest tyro at the first glance could
not fail to perceive that the pen had
written both articles aud that the object Of the wri
ter, who was evidently smarting from some real or
imaginary indignhy inflicted by GwIn, was to im-
plicate Gwn in the duel and make him responsible
for its terrible consequences. BrOderick and Estcl
are shrewd, INSCRIPTIONS but they green If they
think any sensible man would believe such an inl-
probable story. How contemplate, how incOnceiv-
ably iguominiOus in them the attempt to make po-
Iiical capital out of Fergusons death-to shift the
responsibility from their own to the shoulders Of in.
nOcent parties. With it Gwin had nothing to do (;
- - -. 80 PSi'Va CAou1 ouO1CuN vi
ingenious Este implicate him. Fortunately be was
not in the State at the time
About four weeks prior to the events Of the night Of
August 10Th at the Bank Exchange, difficulty occurred
between Ferguson and Johnston An apology was demand
cd by the former, and promptly given johnson had re-
fused to accept challenge asOms before,
and was resting under the CALLING charge OF cUwardice
The Immediate cause OF the late duel out Of misu
derstandng relative to the proceedings Of the DEM
ocratc Convention Mt sacramento. Johnston CHARGED
Ferguson with not having redeemed his pledge prevent
the nomination Of congressman by the late AntecOmp
ton Convention. Ferguson gave Johnston the lie. An
tempt made to strike, but bows were exchanged
Ferguson said to have called Johnston coward after
he lei The Bank Exchange and accused him Of backing
out OF the previous dit6culty
Johnston had those things related to him, as matter
OF course by ocious PERSONS who ever ready
to produce trouble challenge passed accepted
Ferguson chose Esei his second. more njudicous
selection could have been made for this hoary wretch
was and Ii lost to all the finer feelings Of humanity There
IL not one redeenng trait In his character which area-
dy blackencd by every shade Of crime.
"Mhat Is EStells first move! lie encourages the i'm.
preston on the mind Of Ferguson that Johnston WAS
coward and that II brutal terms proposed he would
OF Ills acquaintance Attempts were made to amicaLly
arrange the affair, but of the
Ing as to the remarks made by Johnston prior lie
being gwen 1t was found impossible city paper thru
evident malice, tainted Johnston with cOwardice md
| charged him with being the Of the delay.
THE terms At length agreed upon, understand
from good authority, follows: The first exchange
Of shots to be at the distance Of 80 feet After the FIRST Are
the distance was to be reduced ten feet The weapons
ected we're and the terms dictated by IS
tell For Johnston to decline either the the
pons selected would have been equivalent cowardce.
Any time after the 6rst fire. the notwithstanding to
the eOde"-could have been arranged by written apol.
0gy from Ferguson. This know stated after the
nrst shot, by Johnstons second 1t refused and the
Anar proceeded We have been informed by gentleman
on the ground that he solicited JOhnson second to end
the foolish difficulty, and that the latter did open negoa-
tons but as no apology could be exacted the fight
ued According to the "cOde" the challenged party
throws away his fire. 1t is considered that sufficient apo
ogy has been made and all for quarrel is
Had Ferguson acted thus, he would have been asked
for written or verbal apology Had Esel done his duty
he would have informed his principal Of the CODE advised
him to give the<apoogy, or have removed him from the
this cold boOed man thought he would be able 70 make
political capital the death Of Ferguson,
| SndcavOring to do.