The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1871-11-10

forwarded with any note that might
come.
Major Maclay soon arrived and after
giving him full statement of all that
had occurred, ne went to Northumber-
land to settle the time and place. While
we talked the constable raped at the
door and inquired if / was in the
house. lie was told I had gone up the
road.
On Mr.. Maclay's return he told me
the meeting was to be at seven O'Clock
the next morning, at the end of fence
behind Lawshe's house, opposite Derrs.
town, where we had agreed to sleep
that night. We We're on the ground at
seven o'clock, just in the gray of the
morning. In few minutes we saw
down tho lane. After mutual saluta-
lions, Mr.. Muclly proposed that we
should cross the swamp and retire to a
more private place, where the ground
was perfectly clear. Having arrived
on the ground, Mr.. Kennedy proposed
that the parties should settle the dis
tanee, &c. To this | objected, that be.
ing tho duty of the seconds, and not of
the principals. Messrs. Maclay and
Kennedy then retired and after some
conversation, stepped eight spaces and
placed Mr.. Stewart and myself at the
extreme ends of the line. Mr.. Maclay
then said: "Gentlemen, you will un-
derstand that it is agreed between Mr..
Kennedy and myself that if either of
the parties shall leave his ground until
the affair is finally settled, such party
shall be regarded as disgraced." The
seconds then retired to load the pistols.
Mr.. Maclay afterwards told me he then
suggested to Mr.. Kennedy the proprie.
ty of an effort to effect reconciliation.
Mr.. Kennedy said: "That is impossi.
Bile unless Mr.. Binns apologized for the
language used in his message to Mr..
Stewart. "For my part" he added, 81
think nothing should be attempted un-
til the parties have at least exchanged a
shot" Maclay and Kennedy drew
near to us, and Maclay said: "When
the word fire is given, you are to fire as
quick as you can. II either delay while
one of US count three aud stop, that one
shall for that time lose his fire; snap
to he counted fire."
The seconds tossed up to determine g
which should give the word. Mr.. Ma
clay won. The pistols were handed to
US and discharged 50 simultaneously
that but one report was heard. Nei ther
ball took effect. The pistols were again
handed to the seconds and they retire d
few PAGES. 1T this point Mr.. Maclay
assured inc afterwards he used every
honorable argument to move Mr.. Ken
nedy to present proposition of settle.
ment. This he did without effect. lie
then raised his voice and said: "You
had better consult your principal, and
| will do the same" Maclay'5 first
words to me We're: "Kennedy is a
scOundrel; he is determined to have
you shot" l said, "You know the
terms we agreed upon and we will carry
them out" The pistols were again
handed to Us. After short pause Mr..
Maclay came between us and said
Gentlemen, | think this business has
now gone far enough, and may be ami
cably and honorably adjusted" lie
proposed that Mr.. Stewart should apol-
ogize FOR his attack, and then Mr.. Binns
should declare that the publication was
not made for the purpose Of wounding
the feelings Of Mr.. Stewart, but because
he believed il to be true, and that it
was matter proper for public informa.
ton.
Mr.. Stewart then said: "If God has
given me more strength than other
mon, | do not think ought to abuse
it. never struch n man in my life
that was not sorry for it," This was
not held sufficient apology. After a
pause Mr.. Stewart made the required
apology, and | made the declaration
my friend had proposed. The parties
shook hands and at a tavern in the
ncighborhood they and their friends
akfas,ed together. Mr.. Stewart and
/ continued friends until his death,
many years aftcrward. When he was
elected to the Assembly from Lycom-
ing county somo years after, he voted
for me, then editor of the Democratic
Press" as a director of tho Pennsylva-
MIA Bank. Major Macay Was then
about twenty-eight years of age, and q
man of much promise. He was son
of the Hon. Samuel Maclay, then Unit
ed States Senator from Pennsylvania
He died soon after this affair.
found on my return that it was Jos
eph Priestly, Esq, who had the war
rant Issued for my arrest. He saw ms
leave with small mahogany case ir
which he knew Judge Cooper kept hi
pistols and suspected what was about Il
take place. Mr., Stewart in n note t.
me expressed surprise that the rumo
had got anCat, as neither he nor Mr.
Kennedy had communicated with any
one about it, and l felt sure we haC
kept the matter secret.
The duel put an end to anything liz,
personal rudeness by any members 0
the Federal party so long as remainet
in Northumberland, and doubtless ha,
its effect after my wal to Phladel
phia."
This duel was fought near wher
Allen used to live beyond the marsh
Had its termination been fatal, its eX
act locality would no doubt be fixed
But the actors and all their compeer
have descended to the silent grave, an
} tradition has not preserved the spot.
Lawshe's tavern was little south {
the present railroad bridge, opposit
Lewisburg and was kept by John Law
she, grandfather Of A. NJ. Lawshe,
Lewisburg.
Andrew Kennedy, was the father
the late Andrew Kennedy so long cler
for the commissioners of Union count,
who died last year. Stewart has d