Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1871-10-25
CLEARFIELD, PA, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1871.


til tho affair is finally settled, such
party shall bc regarded as disgraced."
The seconds then retired to load tho
pistols. Mr.. Maclay afterwards told
mo nc then suggested to Mr.. Kennedy
the propriety Of an effort to effect a
reconciliation. Mr.. Kennedy said
"Ihat is impossible 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 until the parties
have at least exchanged shot" Ma
clay and Kennedy drew near TO us,
and Maclay said {: "Whcn the word
fire is given, you are to fire as quick
as you can. If either delay while one
of us count threo and say stop that
one shall for that time lose his fire n
snap to be counted q fro"
The seconds tossed up to determine
which should give the word. Mr..
Maclay won The pistols were hand
cd to US and discharged so simultane
ously that but one report was heard.
Neither ball took effect. The pistols
were again handed to tho seconds aud
they retired few PAGES. At this
point Mr. Maclay assured me after.
wards he used every honorable argu.
ment 10 move Mr.. Kennedy to present
Il proposition Of settlement This he
did without effect lie then raised his
voice and said: "You had better con.
suit your principal, and | will do the
same Maclay's first words to me
were "Kennedy Is a scoundrcI he
is determined to have you shot" j
said, "You know the terms VIC 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 gono far
enough. and may be amica6ly and
honorably adjusted" Hc proposed
that Mr.. Stewart should apologize for
his attack, and thcn Mr.. Binns should
declare that the publication was not
made for the purpose Of wounding the
feelings Of Mr.. s., but because he be-
licvcd it to be true, and that it was
matter proper for public information.
Mr.. Stewart then said "lf God has
given me more strength than other
men, | do not think | ought to abuse
il. | never struck man in my life
that | was not sorry for it," This
was not held sufficient apology. After
a pause Mr.. s., made the required
apology, and ! made the declaration
my friend had proposed. The parties
shook hands and at u tavern in the
neighborhood they and their friends
breaklasted together. Mr. S., and |
continued friends until his death,
many years afterward. When he was
elected to the Assembly from Lycon-
ing county, some years after, he voted
for me, then editor OF tho Democratic
Press, rs u director OF the Pennsylva-
MIA Bank. MAJOR Maclay was then
about twcniy-cight years Of age, and
man Of much promise He was n
son of the Hon. Samuel Maelny, then
United States Senator from Pcnnsyl.
vania. He died soon after this aifuir
found on my return that it was
Joseph Prieslly, Esq, who had the
warrant issued for my arrest. lie
saw me leave with small mahogany
case in which he knew Judge Cooper
kept his pistols and suspected what
was about to take place. Mr.. Stewart
in note TO me expressed surprise
that the rumor had got afoat, as
neither he nor Mr. Kennedy had com
municatod with any one about it, aud
| felt sure We had kept the matter sc
crct.
This duel put an end TO anything
like personal rudencss by any mem.
bers of the Federal party so long as |
remained in Northumberland, and
doubtless had its effect after my re.
moral to Philadelphia"
This duel was fought near where
Allen used to live beyond the marsh.
Had its termination been fatal, its
exuct locality would no boubt be fixed
But the actors and all their coompeers
have descended to the silent grave,
and tradition has not preserved the
exact spot.
Lawshe's tavern was n little south
of the present railroad bridge, oppo.
site Lcwisburg, and was kept by John
Lawsho, grandfather Of A. NJ. Lawshe,
of Lewisburg.
Andrew Kennedy was the father of
the late Andrew Kennedy so long
clerk for the Commissioners of Union
county, who died last year. Stewart
has descendants yet in Chester and
Lycoming county. Binns removed
to Philadelphia in 1907, edited the
Democratic Press many years, was also
nm alderman His manual, "Binns'
Justice, may be found in any lawyer 8
office, and is the best publication of
the kind for the use intcndcd--a JUS
tees manual. He died subsequent
to 1854, but the exact date | cannot
now ascertain,