The Nevada Democrat., 1858-08-25
Duel Between Geo. Pen Johnston and W. l.
Ferguson.

Ferguson.
From telegraphic dispatch to the Sacra-
mento Union we have the particulars OF duel
which was fought at Angel Island, iu the Bay
of San Francisco. last Saturday afternoon, be-
tween Geo. Pen Johnston, q Federal official, and
w. /. Ferguson, State Senator from Sacramen-
to- Late on Wednesday evening. the principals
with several others were assembled in bar
room at San Francisco. drinking, talking poll
tics and joking with each other. Ferguson got
the laugh on Johnston so often that the latter
became vexed and serious. Ferguson then re-
peated some rhyme from the Butte Record, an
nouncing by the Atlantic telegraph the arrival
of Mrs Gwin in England. Johnston became
indignant, and Ferguson contended that the
mention of Mrs. Gwins name could not be ta-
ken as a personal allusion to her. The lie was
then exchanged, and the parties then made
rush for each other, but were separated Johns
ton then accused Ferguson of breaking faith
with him at Sacramento, in having agreed to
induce the anti-Lecompton Convention not to
make nominations for Congress- if the Lecomp-
ton Convention did not. Ferguson replied by
denying the charge, and told Johnston where
TO find him the next day, and added that this
was of little use as Johnston had. put up with
an 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
a peremp.ory challenge from Johnston, through
Wm. B. Cameron, and the bearer was at once
referred to james NJ. Estell. The prelm-
uarits were at once arranged, aud the par
Saturday. with their seconds and surge ons.-
About one hundred persons were present. The
weapons chosen were the common, dueling pis-
tolls, with hair triggers, aud the principals took
their positions at the stakes ten PAGES apart.
Fit fre-The word was given by Dameron,
aud both pistols weGt OF simultaneously at :be
word. fire" Neither party was struck; but
the wind fror FergasOn's ball made the dust
fly from the back OF Johnsion's coat. Second
hre-The distance was now decreased TO little
over six PAGES, AS per agreement. The excite
ment became intense; the antagonists both show
cd disposition 10 get the first shot. as every
one thought it would flash the duel. BO h gen
I
hurry d.d not wait 10 raise the weapon half high
cnongh, and Johnslon's ball entered the ground
few feet oil, while Ferguson's also pOwed the
Dirt about midway. Here scene eHsued OF 20
ludlcrOuS nature as to spoil entirely the trag-
ic effect OF the fight. Alter the iirng, Johnston
gaZeG forward iutently to sCe his adversary
fall, which Ferguson noticing. pointed his pis
tol at the place where the ball had struck, and
! said jocosely, "There you are;' 10 which Johns
ton replied, pointing to Ferguson's poor shot
and his own, "Im here, and you are there"
Third iire-both pistols were brought 10 hor-
zonta position and Ferguson fired al the first
word but without effect. Johnston took delib-
crate IN. and only fired before the word "two."
The ell, ct was electrical and no one doubted
| fatal result. Ferguson bracCd himself to re-
ceive the shot, and. as he DID so, was heard to
say. Il m gone community - Aud then, as
the explosion occurred, he started as il shot. so
! that E>tell ran at once and took him in his
arms. But he was only winded. the ball gra-
zing the whskers OF his chin. Johnston looked
veXed at the result; many think that Johnston
received Ferguson's fire and reserved his own
purposely. for the sake Of q sure aim; but his
friends deny this. Here E>tell, az second to
the challenged party and according 10 the code,
walked up to DamcrOn to learn his wishes
johnson demanded an apology or another shot
some say written apology. Estell cOmmu-
hlcated tue answer Whcn Ferguson lost his TEN
per. turned pale, and instructed his second TO
inform his adversaries that they would obligc
him by continuing TO reload and fire, without
further interruption. They fired the fourth shot
nearly simultaneously. when Ferguson stagper-
ed on his left leg for moment, and his second
had iust time 10 break his fall TO the ground,
while Johnston was seen to wheel slightly hut
not fall. The ball entered the outside of Fer
guson's right thigh, and broke the bone ma
king a large wound. Fcrguson's ball passed in
front of Johnstons abdomen, cut the front but.
ton from the top of his pantaleons and tore
small piece Of flesh from his left wrist, which
had slightly protruded in front of the line of
his body, but without injnring the bone. Fer
guson was Immediately brought to his room, ut
the Union Hotel, San Francisco. He suffered
much pain until the ball was extracted. The
bone was fractured, but the femoral artery was
not cut The safety of his leg and even life,
depends on the absence of inflammation.
ATTEMPT AT AssAssINArIoN.-Seve attempts
have he n made. by some person unknown, to