Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1860-05-31
Gossip about Duelling.

1t is believed that the fate which overlook
the parties in the first duel ever fought in
New England has been the cause of much OF
the odum with which duelng is regarded in
that section of our country. These parties
were two serving men, who falling into dis
pute, agreed to settle their differences after the
manner of gentlemen" by swords and dag
gers. They fought in 1921, the year after the
landing of the pilgrims, and both were severe
ly, though not dangerously, wounded. There
was no statute in relation to the offence, so
the elders got together to consider the method
of punishment. 1t was decided they should
be tied together neck and heels with stout
thongs, and be compelled to endure each 9th
er's companionship for twenty-four hours, with
out food or drink. The sentence was carried
into execution and the ridicule which was
thrown upon the practice Of duelling by this
event has descended to our own day.
Within year or two after the Cilley and
Graves duel in Washington, by which Cilley
was murdered, Mr.. Graves even then stricken
with horror by the never-failing remembrance
of his crime, was on his way from Kentucky,
through the interior of this State, to one of
the northern counties. The coach stopped for
the night at Pekin, Tazewell county, at ho,
tel then kept by Sam Knott, afterward brave
lieutenant in the 4th Illinois regiment of Mex
lean volunteers. 1t was announced soon af
ter Mr.. Graves arrival who he was. Knott
said nothing then, but when Mr. Graves ask
ed for a bed (he had not taken supper, ad-
dressed him thus: "No, sir, you cannot
sleep in my house. You are not worth enough
to buy lodging under my roof Go, there is
blood on your hands ~ The ex-Congressman
went, and, with his cloak wrapped around him,
passed the night in the coach in the stable
yard. Poor Knott died on shipboard, between
Vera Cruz and New Orleans, after having
gone through all the dangers Of the campaign
As q man Of true courage and magnanimity,
he had an aversion to the duel which he could
not conceal
1t is little singular that Illinois, settled at
first by men from the States where the code is
recognized, should have escaped with the few
dueIs that have been fought on her soil. The
case related in Governor Ford's history of the
State, iu which the survivor in fatal meet
ing was tried by jury and hung, may have
done much to give an early and salutary di
rection to public opinion in this matter Across
the river, in Missouri, the duel has never been
unpopular. Her politicians, editors, lawyers,
doctors, etc, were only few years ago par
ticuarly fond of appeals to the code as the
arbiter of their quarrels. All our older read
els will recollect the fight between Biddle and
Pettis-buth gentlemen of distinction, and
both of unquestionable courage. They fought
with pistols at distance of only .fre feet
When in position, their weapons oVerlapped
Both as cool and collected as a clergyman in
the pulpit, fired at the word. Both were kill
ed. Cases of lesser note, in an early day,
were by no means unfrequent but the prac-
tice never crossed the river into Illinois. Gen
eral Shields, when living at Belleville, used to
show that he had the blood of Donny brook in
his veins and at one time it was thought that
he was determined upon a set-te with Senator
(then Judge Trumbull but his vaporing
came to nanght, and the two gentlemen now
maintain friendly personal relations Chicago
Tribune.