The New York herald., 1870-08-31
A SAD AND FATAL DUEL.
Hostile Meeting Between Two Young Men Of
Memphis-0ne Mortally Wounded-Touch-
ing Death scene-Fun Particu-
lars Of the Tragedy.
From ihe Memphis Avalanche. August 27.l

From ihe Memphis Avalanche. August q.
The community was shocked at an early hour yes
terday with the announcement that Mr.. Ed. +. Ham
I'm, wen known and highly respected Young Law,
Mr.. Ed. 4. Freeman, another well known ana re-
spectacle young citizen The news spread ike Wild
nre through the city, and all day long II was the
theme OF conversation ut street corners In notes,
In counting rooms and In all sorts Of places public
occurrence was common In the peoples mouths,
and when they spoke Of It II was with blanched
cheeks, baied breath and saddened c0untenances.
Never were our people more horror stricken, and
never were they more impressed with the barbar-
Ism OF 1.-THE code.' But, whatever the horror OF the
pubic, II can bear no comparison with the .rant1c
grief Of the mother over the tragic fate OF her loyeq
rs born, or the more stolId but equally poignant
can describe the sorrow Of that family circle thus
rudely slnderedf All the bloody code has plunged
ana despair Aaa for WHAT Let the Mdowea w
the orphaned children. the mother Dcreft OF son, the
sws %s Sns All M M s %
vei over this; 1t Is Too sacred, too sad subject or
the public gaze.
The difference between the young men, which was
OF private character has been the subject OF talk
vacy to say tat M ALA lady Vas the innocent % cause Of
the MISUNDERSTANDING, If such ir may be called.
Several days ago one OF our cotemporaries an
nonnced that the affair had been amcaDy settled,
and such was believed to be the by all but
lew knowing ones, until yesterday morning when
ranged 70 come or between the parties in neigh
boring State at sunrise influential citizens friends
OF Dotn parties, had labored Tor days bring the
anar 10 an adjustment satisfactory to ali nc.rueu,
bnt in VAIN. Blood was the only a'onement for real
direfui result. Several days ago a meeting OF tile
pafues concerned was held across the river In Ar
KANSAS ana rom 'ns Tact doubtless sprung the re.
| purpose OF correspondence with view to
hostile meeting. The parties returned to the city,
| anu, as Indicated, the closing
| SCENE OF THE DRAMA
came or yesterday morning IN tue state Of Missis-
spp, Just across the state line, when the bright sun
had Just appeared across The horizon ana the world
| was hardly astir, when the grass heavy with
the dew and birds twItiered among the trees.
Learning OF the Intended meeting, the time and
place. the ArdtdI,che despatched u reporter " the
scene. with several other gentlemen all In bug
gies he started on his errand yesterday morning
three O'Clock. IL dark and from the rain OF the
previous afternoon tne roads were sloppy and din-
cult OF passage. Win but an Indefinite idea " Their
| exact destination the party proceeded onward. Dr.
ErsSine, one OF the surgeons, accompanied by Dr.
| Freeman, brother Of Mr.. Freeman was known 10
have started "a few minutes earlier and was sup
posed To be short distance IN advance, but could
| not be overtaken. Stopping frequently TO make III
quifies, II was not until about suurise that
porter got beyond the Mississippi line. About twelve
miles IRON Memphis, on the fernando road, a
nne oi carriages was met He turned out
| OF the road TO let them pass. As they passed
he recognized tine dueling party. Several OF them,
| Including Mir. Hamlin, recognized him, and sauted
him smilingy. Supp0sng that the hrair had been
settled and that the party was on its way back to
order to turn, the road being narrow. Alter turn.
ing he stopped at creek 10 water his horse, and
| while 80 dong he was accOsted by colored man
| On Its way 10
THE BLOODY GROUND.
! lie hurried on and, after some trouble, reached
the scene BY this time the sun was well up IN the
heavens and all nature WAS beautiful in vestments
| OF green, sprinked and frnged with the golden
rays OF the sun. The hour was about six O'Clock.
II was too bright day and too glorious scene for
| 80 melancholy occurrence az about TO ensue.
The notes OF The blrds 1OatedDy on the morning air.
the perfume OF flowers reyaed the Senses and every
thing seemed TO give praise to the Author Of the
| Universe. Yet, In the midst Of all this. men were
intent upon each others blood. Even at the last
NO CHANCE FOR ADJUSTMENT.
| Turning OF the road our reporter came in full
view Of the duelling party. They were in an open,
level but deserted neld on slight eminence, pre-
our reporter endeavored to press his way forward.
They were met by one Of Mr.. Freeman's seconds by
rangemenis none but the seconds ana surgeons
with two three Invited friends, be allowed
te Wsen e ar Par no hd TO Sr
forward. reaching the field. Here they met and
changed sautations with Mr. Freeman. who politely
spoke 10 OF them after the OF his second
They then retired to an adjoining hill, some
yards distant IRON which they obtained fan
view OF
| THE FIGHT
From this point our reporter watched the prepara-
sun, though It's rays came down with full force on
the spot selected for the duel The choice OF posi-
the character OF the ground 1t be OF no MI
vantage, the sun coming to the side OF and between
the foemen. Two sapings were cut down
and transplanted after the ground had been staked
| OH, 80 as TO afford shelter 10 each. The word was
won by Mr.. Scales, on behalf OF MIR. Hamlln rhs
seemed perfectly cool ana self-possessed not a
muscle moved; never was there sign OF quver
SANE YOU READY, GHSrLEMEN9,
| were pronounced. Each answered nr1nly and audi
bly,, ''Yes." The distance fifteen PAGES and the
weapons were formidable looking doelnDg pisto s.
long and with smooth bore. After pause tnt
words, "FIre-One,n were pronounced, when two
sharp, loud reports In quick succession heard,
and TWO columns OF smoke rolled upward, obscurlnp
for moment Or two the principal actors In the
| gedy
Our reporter and his friends sprang forward Hair
way between the carriages and the ground they
| Mr. Freeman and his seconds moving rapidly ia the
direction Of the carriages AZ they passed one OF
the party as II speaking to reporter, and refer r.
| ring 10 Mr. HamIin remarked that he was already
pressed forward 10 the ground, and ound Mr.. Ham
I'm supported In q standing position by Drs b. D.
| Sanders and Erskine
FIRST SHOT
| was Mr. Freeman's; Mr. Bamln's followed imme-
date!y The latter leIt his wound he discharged
his pistol. After dlscnargin2 1t he exclaimed press
ing his hand to his sl,le al am hit,n and then look
ing towards his adversary, Freeman. never said
| aught against you or injured you In ali my lle'
| After supporting MIN awhile tue doctors laid him
! gently on his back and proceeded 10 examine his
wound. Dr. Ersklne held his pulse. After a briel
examination DR.. saunders remarSed:-
! ED, are You badly burt
Said Mr. Hamin, as It killing wound doctorp'
lit Is serious wound. Ed" replied DIR. Saunders
''and can give you encouragement
II fred too high, didnt /, doctorg asked the DIV.
! Ing man. -
| "Are you In pain. Ed ?" asked one OF the group,
| ION, no, am not IN pain" he said, but feel
| such a strange sensation here,' placing his hand
| ON ms SIDE, the wound meanwhile having been ban
| daged.
| Strong men stood around, men who had dared
| death Oh many battle Held. Tney wept ike GILL.
| dren.
some hurried words to DR.. Saunders by the dying
| man.
Say nothing to my poor mother" said Hamlin
| "but tell my father was born 9 gentleman and died
| u gentleman was all that was heard.
! pause The wounded mans eyes began 10 tn rn
CLASSY. he was losing consciousness. " was plain
| the sands OF life were running out fast
| SAID Mr.. Scales, his second, bending over him
| "DOn't you know me. Ed -
| There was no response.
HE Will never know you again, Scales" said Dr..
| Saunders, very gravely.
The little group again shed tears. II was sad