New Orleans daily crescent., 1866-01-23

INTERESTING BITS OF HISTORY.

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Not long since we published brief article en-
titled the 6 First and Last Duel in llinois;n which
was said in Ford's history, to have been fought at
Bsleville in 1920, between Alponse Stewart and
VIM. Bennett Stewart was killed, and Bennett,
after two Years eluding the officers was captured,
tried and hung for murder. The Belleyile (IllJ
Advocate, commenting on the article, says:
This may have been the first duel fought in Illi-
pois by citizens thereof but there is on record an
hccount of duel foughtin Illinois much earlier in
pnt Of time. This duel was fought in 1876, at
Wort Chartres, on the banks Of the Mississippi
Hiyer, point now included within the limits Of
Monroe county. We quote from Gov. Reynolds
Pioneer History of Illinois
At the time the English troops came to take
, possession of Fort Chartres, two young officers,
pne French and the other English, had misunder-
etanding atsthe fort. This quarrel arose, as did
the war Of the Greeks against the Trojans, on ac-
count Of lady. These officers fought with small
Pwords, early on Sunday morning, near the forts,
hnd in this contest one was killed. The other left
Nhe fort and descended the river.
TVS duel was doubt, the first fought in Hi
That barbarous, anti Christian mode of set
ting controversies, has never been much practiced
IN this country. Public opinion, which is the cer-
And the last constitution of Illinois, emanating
&from an enlightened public opinion, has placed a
EEposltlve veto against the practice forever"
The bennett and Stuart duel took place in Feb
Eruary, 1872 (not 1920, as Gov. Ford has it,) on
vacant lot in the block Immediately opposite the
residence Of Hon. William Fl. Snyder. The seconds
swere Nathan Fike and Jacob Short, and the
$weaTDns used were rifles. As the affair was got,
|ton up for sport, was understood by all-except
EBennett-thas the guns should be charged with
|Epowder only. The parties were posted 40 Yards
apart, and STUART did not fire his gun at ALL 1t is
Bald that Stuart was pierced by two balls, one of
eahicR Tell out Of his side after being taken home.
AT the trial Of Bennett, two years afterwards, it
WAS proved by a lady who was looking out of a
$ecoId story window that Bennett secretly slipped
bah into his gum Thistestimony was conclusive,
kf,pd cost Bennett his life.
@At the spring term of the Circuit Court, follow
ling this unhappy transaction, the two seconds,
Nathan Fike and jacob Short, were arraigned for
Nmurder growing out of the sham duel between
Bennett. and Stuart. The trial produced intense
Hexcitehent in the country, and was conducted by
able ID influential counsel. Daniel P. Cook, ESQ,
was tht prosecuting attorney, and Col. Thomas Fl.
Bento11 defended, Fike and Shortswere acquitted,
verdft that was very generally approved by the
eomYig, although the transaction was con-
Gov. Ford, id his account, refers to- Bennett and
etuart las two obscure men, OF Mr.. Stuart,
Eov, Synolds, in his Pioneer History Of Illinois, =
lpeaks Is follows:
khonso @. Stuart, q lawyer emigrated from
tenns9 lyapia, and settled in Bellve, in the year
read lawyer.
U MI. Stuart was born in. Clermont, N. HI, and
vas regular graduate of yarmouth college, he
fecelVed diploma from that institution of learn
Ang he obtained license in Pennsylvania in
% practice law, and in Illinois in 1917 but
s9on - after he experienced an accidental death
'nat r put an end to his usefulness and promise.
aecease was very much regretted by his
Aiphonso o. Stuart was the father of our fel-
~ citizens, Edward R. and Vim. Fl. Stuart
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