Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-08-30
A FATAL DUEL.
Hostile Meeting Between
MeSsrS. e. L. Freeman
and +. l.. Hamlin.
The Latter MOrtalIy Wounded
and Dies Within an Hour.
A Touching Death Scene---Ful
Particulars of the Tragedy.
From the Memphis Avalanohe, Aug. q.

From the Memphis Avalanche, Aug. q.
The community was shocked at an
early hour yesterday with the announce
ment that Mr.. Ed. L. Hamlin, a well
known and highly respected young law
yer of this city had come to his death in
a duel with Mr. Ed. T. Freeman, another
well known and highly respectable young
citizen. The news spread like wildtre
through the city, and all day long it was
the theme of conversation at street
corners, in hotels in counting rooms, and
in all sorts of places, public and private.
Like Prince Arthur's death, the tragic
occurrence was common in the peoples
mouths, and when they spoke Of it it was
with blanched cheeks, bated breath and
saddened cOuntenances. Never were our
people more horror stricken, and never
were they more impressed with the bar
barism of ''the code" But, whatever
the horror of the public, it can bear no
comparison with the frantic grief of the
mother over the tragic fate of her loved
first born, or the more stolid or equally
as poignant sorrow of the father and
brother. Who is there that can
describe the sorrow of that family
circle thus rudely sundered All the
blood code has plunged many joyous
families into the lowest depths of grief
and despair. And for what Let the
widowed wife, the orphaned children, the
the mother bereft of son, the sister made
brotherless- ay, let all concerned answer.
What has it all availed But let US draw
a vail over this; it is too sacred, too sad
subject for the public gaze.
CAUSE OF THE TROUBLE.
The difference between the young men
which was of private character,
has been the subject of talk about town
for some DAYS. 1t is no breach of privacy
to say that lady was the innocent cause
of the misunderstanding, if such it may
be called. Several days ago, one of our
contemporaries announced that the affair
had been amicably settled, and such was be-
ieved to be the case, by all but few
knowing ones, until yesterday morning,
when the AUdLdnche announced that
duel had been arranged to come off be-
tween two parties, in a neighbOring State
at sunrise. Influential citizens, friends of
both parties, had lahore for days to
bring the affair to an adjustment satisfac-
tory to all concerned, but in vain. Blood
was the only atOnement for real or fancied
wrong, and blood has been shed with dire
full result. Several days ago a meeting of
the parties concerned was held across the
river, in Arkansas, and from this fact
doubtless sprung the report of settlement,
when in fact it was only for the purpose
of correspondence with view to more
hostile meeting The parties returned to
the city, and, as indicated, the closing
scene of the drama came off yesterday
morning, in the State of Mississippi, just
across the State line, when the bright sun
had just appeared across the horizon and
the world was hardly astir-when the
grass was heavy with the dew, and birds
twittered among the trees.
THE FIGHT.
The choice of positions was won on
behalf of Mr. Freeman, but from the
character ofthe grounditprovedt to be of no
advantage, the sun coming to the side OF
and between the foemen. Two saplings
were cut down and trsnsplanted after the
ground had been staked off, soas to afford
shelter to each. The word was won by
Mr.. Scales on behalf of Mr.. Hamlin. The
gentlemen then took their respective posi-
tons. Each seemed perfectly cool and
self-possessed; not muscle moved; never
was there a sign of culver when the
words, "Are you ready, gentlemen
were pronounced. Each answered firmly
and audibly. Yes" The distance was
fifteen PAGES and the weapons were for
midable looking dueling pistols, long and
with smooth bore. After q pause the
words Fire" Gone" were pro
nouuced, when two sharp, loud reports in
Quick succession were heard, and two
columns of smoke rolled upward, Obscur'
ing for moment or two the prlnclpa
actors in the tragedy.
Our reporter and his friends sprsng for
ward. Half way between the carriages
and the ground they meet Mr.. Freeman
and his seconds moving rapidly in the
direction of the carriages. As they
passed, one of the party, as if speaking
to our reporter, and referring to MIR
Hamlin, remarked that he was already
dead, or something to that effect. The
reporter pressed forward TO the ground
and found Mr.. Hamlin supported IN 6
standing position by Doctors ID. ID. Sand
ers and Erskine.
The first shot was Mr.. Freeman's; Mr.
Hamlin's followed Immediately. The
latter felt his wound ere he discharged
his pistol. After discharging it he ex
claimed, pressing his hand to his side, 9
am hit" and then, looking toward his ad
verssry: sFreemsn, l never said augh
against you or injured you in all my life.
After supporting him awhile, the doc