Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1859-08-11

The Richmond Examiner, of yesterday,
contains joint statement of the respective
seconds in the recent duel, which we deem
of sufficient interest to publish. 1t is as
| follows:
The proposed arrangement as to place
of meeting being impracticable, and both
parties having reached the Danville train,
at the same point and at the same time,
while on the ears it was agreed verbally to
stop in or near the town of Danyille until
next morning, and then leaving Danville,
to proceed together to some place then to
be selected in North Carolina.
The parties met in North Carolina,
about sunrise on Friday, the 18th day of
July; Mr.. Aylett being accompanied BY
Mr.. VIM. Old, jr, of Richmond, Va, and
another friend: Mr.. Wise being accompa-
MED by Col. ]. Lucius Davis, of Henrico
county, Va. Each of the principals was
accompanied by surgeon. As agreed
upon, the seconds proceeded to measure
the ground and arrange priliminaries. Mr..
Old having won the choice of sword" or
"position," elected to give the sword"
Mr.. Aylett brought one pair of dueling
pistols to the field; Mr.. Wise also brought
one pair. These were the only weapons
from which to select.
After their due inspection by the Sec
onds, Colonel Davis expressed the opin-
ion that the arrangement of the sights of
Mr.. Alyett's pistols gave them some advan-
tage over those of Mr.. Wise, while MIR.
Wise's pistols had advantage in length of
barrel. Mr.. Wise interposed to state that
he preferred his own pistols to those of Mr..
Aylett, because the latter were provided
with saw handles, which Mr.. Wise regard
ed as disadvantage, and as he considered
there was no difference in his own pistols,
he was perfectly willing MIR. Aylett should
select one of them; that he was also will
ing to select one of Mr.. Aylett's, and far
ther, that he was willing that each princi-
pal should use his own weapon.
Colonel Davis asserting to this alter
nate proposal, Mr.. Old announced that Mr..
Aylett would use one of bis own pistols,
that Mr.. Wise could take the other, or Sc
lect one from his own pair. Mr.. Old also
stated that one of Mr.. Aylett's pistols, the
back of which had been repaired, might
possibly, he feared, p.ose unreliable. Il
was then agreed that each principle should
select one from his own pair.
The pistols were then loaded by the Sec
onds in the presence of all parties. The
written terms of the duel where then read
aloud in the hearing of all. Some explain
ations ensued as 10 the positions of the
principals and the manner of holding the
pistols. 1t was finally understood that
each principal could face in any direction he
might prefer, and each could face in any
direction he might prefer, and each could
hold his weapon up or down, or pointing
to the right or left, in any manner, so that
the line of direction Of the pistol, before
the word, 'fre,n should be in plane at
right angles to the line of fire. Col. Davis
being entitled to the choice Of position,
then selected that which be preferred for
his principal. All parties being assembled
together and unarmed, Mr.. Old proceeded
to announce the manner in which he should
give the word; whereupon, Col. Davis, re-
marking that the plan was unnecessarily
deliberate, Mr.. Wise promptly replied he
did not think so, the mode of delivery was
proper. Mr.. Old then said he should give
the word as he had announced, and re-
hearsed it twice thereafter, Col. d. max
ing no further objection. The principals
were then placed in position, each receiving
his pistol from the hand Of his second
The seconds then took position side by
side, each standing next to bis own princi-
pal, such position being best adapted to
the irregular nature of the ground. Mr. A.
held his pistol down, Mr.. Wise his up.-
Mr.. Old gave the word. =
Between the words some" and "two,"
Mr.. Aylett raised his pistol. A little be-
fore the word sstop," Mr.. Aylett's pistol
was pointed horizontally towards Mr.. Wise;
immedistsly after the word astop," Mr..
Aylett lowered bis pistol without firing.
Nj. Wise did not move his weapon from
| its original position, but held il, pointing