Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1870-10-25
tFrora the Richmond Wing, October 10. ]
The Walker-Barbour Difficulty.

1t was known yesterday that Mr.. James
Barbour had challenged Major james W.
Walker, delegate from Madison, and that
Major Walker had declined for reasons here
after given. We subjoin the statements of
the friends of both parties. The State Jour
nal of last evening publishes the following
account of the affair, obtained from friends
| of Mr.. Barbour.
1t appears that in July last an article was
published in the Enquirer rejecting upon
Major Walker and others. This article was
supposed to have been written by Mr.. Bar
| hour. the sole responsible editor. About
three months have elapsed since the supposed
| offensive article was written, aud during that
period, says Mr. BIS friends, Mr.. Barbour was
residing at his home in Culpeper county,
while Major Walker resided in the adjoining
county of Madison. MI BIS friends say that
Major W. has had several opportunities of
meeting Mr.. B. if be had chosen to do so.-
| We stated differently yesterday, and make the
| correction cheerfully. In August, Mr.. B.
! spent about week at Madison courthouse
,beiug engaged in suit for damages, which
created considerable attention throughout the
counties adjoining.
Mr. Barbour came to Richmond Tuesday
last. At eleven o'clock Friday night he re.
cevcd a despatch from friend at Oulpeper
courthouse, informing him that one OF his
children would probably die before morning
MIR. B. was then in bed quite i'll. He imme
diately made preparations to leave by the
morning train.
| Having some business on the way, he
walked instead of riding to the depot, where
| he arrived some time before the departure of
the train. There he became engaged in a
conversation with member of the Legisla-
| i e. -
| Subsequently Mr.. B. walked up and down
the platform, and passed within ten PAGES of
Major W. Mr.. B. then went into the car
and seated himself by friend. Major W..
entered another car Immediately ahead of Mr..
b., rode about twenty-five miles up the road,
and then went into the car where Mr.. B. had
first entered, and took seat short distance
in front of Mr.. B. ..t -.,- -.
lust as the train neared the station this
side of Hewlett's. Major Walker approached
Mr.. b. and stated TO Mr. 3. that the article in
the Enquirer of-date had been thought by
some of his friends to be offensive he, how
ever did not think so. Mr. b. placed his
hand in his pocket, declined to give any ex-
PLANTATION, remarking to Major W. that the
platform at GordoDsville was the proper place
for an alteration, if he sought one. Major
/, w. repeated his demands for an explanation,
and Mr.. B. refused to accede.
Major w. retired to his seat, and remained
there until the train approached Hewlett's sta
ton. Mr.. B. was quietly listening to anec-
dotes told by friend, when Major W. sud-
denly advanced upon him, and struck him in
the face with his clenched fist Mr.. B. being
in a position which prevented him from using
his hands, kicked Major w. in the face, and
then arose, placing his right hand on his pock-
ct. Major w. seized Mr. BIS arms, when
Mr.. B. spat in his face. and during the strug-
gle to free his pistol arm, the passengers in
terfered and separated them. Major W. then
retired to another car and left the train at
Hewlett's.
Mr. B. proceeded on his journey, and upon
arriving home, found his child dead. He re-
mained to the funeral, and returned to Rich>
mond by the first train.
Yesterday afternoon, Mr.. Barbour through
his friend, Colonel John s. Mosby, sent the
following note to Major Walker:
RICHMOND, October 10, 1870.
"INdjor j. ". Waller:
"SIR-Waiving all question about my
right to regard your conduct in any other
light, choose to demand of you, for your as.
sault on me on Saturday, the satisfaction
which gentleman has right to demand.
any friend, Colonel Mosby, will make the
necessary arrangements. Yours, etc,
"JAs. BARBOUR
The communication was handed to Major
Walker at o'clock last night. Col Mosby
was informed that he would receive an answer
by II o'clock. At the appointed hour Col
! W. f. Cameron, editor of the Petersburg
Inder, informed Col Mosby, that an answer
to Mr.. BIS note would not be delivered unti
8 o'clock this morning. At that time lette,
was handed to Col. Mosby by Mr.. McCaull q
member Of the house of Delegates, from Maio,
Walker, in which he stated that to accept 8
challenge would deprive him of his rights a.