Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-08-26
FATAL DUEL.
Meeting Of Mr.. Z. L. Hamlin and Maj.
Ed. Freeman at Sunrise
This Morning.
Hamlin Falls, MORALLY Wounded,
at the First Fire.

For several days rumor has prevailed
Of duel pending between two we'll
known and highly respectable young
men of this city-Major Ed. Freeman
and Mr, L. L. Hamlin--the former a
book-keeper with Brooks & Co., on Front
street, and the latter a lawyer by profess
sion. The origin of the affair cannot be
ascertained exactly, though it had refer
erence to purely private matters. Vari-
GUS rumors prevail on this point, but we
prefer to give none at present.
1t seems that Major Freeman chal-
lenged Mr.. Hamlin week or ten days
ago, and that they crossed the river once
to the Arkansas side, but were
prevented from fighting by the inter
vention of mutual friends. Yet the diff
fully was not settled, and last evening
it was whispered around that the doel
would be fought this morning at sunrise.
The place, however, was kept a profound
secret from the inquisitive public.
This morning, at an early hour, the
news spread that MIR. Hamlin was slight
slywounded.4 This was followed by re-
port that he was dangerously wounded,
and half an hour later the truth came
out that he was dead. They went out
some time last night, it seems, on the
Mississippi and Tennessee railroad, to a
point on Nonconnah creek, about nine
miles from the city, and at the identical
spot where Greenlaw killed Taylor
few years ago.
The weapons used were regular duel
ling pistols. They fought according to
the etiquette of the code, and at the first
fire Hamlin fell mortally wounded. The
ball entered his right side, passed through
his liver and came out at the left side.
He was carried to the house of Mr..
Joiner (of Joiner, Lemon & Gale) near
by, and died on the way, fifteen minutes
after he was shot. On inquiry, it was
difficult to ascertain the full particulars,
as few or none of the parties on the
ground had returned or were to be seen.
Major Freemans seconds, we learn,
were Mr.. Charley Woodbridge, Major W.
H. Rhea and Capt, Taylor. Hamlin's
seconds were Major Sanders, of Tunica
county, Mississippi and D. B. Scales. of
Memphis.
Major Freeman is native Of Virginia,
and came here at the close of the war.
He has always appeared quiet, polite
gentleman, went in the best society, and,
we should say, has many friends.
Mr.. Hamlin was the son of Col. W. B.
Hamlin, AN old and prominent citizen and
business man. He was on Gen. Marcus
j. Wright's staff when we first met him,
during the war. Subsequently he at
tended Cambridge College year or two,
came home and began the practice OF
law. For some time he was the partner
of Judge Henry G. Smith, but of late has
practiced his profession without part
ner. He, too, was an estimable young
man, had numerous friends, and perhaps
not an enemy in the world. He was
about 25 years of age.
FURTHER.
Major Freeman went to Horn Lake
last Wednesday and did not return until
this morning. His surgeon was DR., j.
H. Erskine. FfF
Mr.. Hamlins surgeon was DR.. ID. d
Sanders, an uncle of one of the seconds.
This party went out last night. Only a
few persons were on the ground. Both
parties acted with perfect GOODNESS
A meeting of the bar is called at
Humes & Posten's office, to take action
on Mr.. Hamlin's death, this afternoon.
The funeral will take place tomorrow
afternoon at three clock, from Grace
Church, on fernando street. The de-
ceased was, if we mistake not, a mem
Der of that church.