The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1871-11-10
Miscellaneous.
TIE DUEL BETWEEN JOHN BINNS AND
SAMUEL STEWART.
From Linn's Annals of Buffalo Valley.

ilNiii LINN : Aunh6 Oh BullllO Nalley.
This duel was fought just beyond the
marsh opposite hewisburg and is his
torical, having been the last one fought
on the soil of Pennsylvania, and having
special influence in the passage Of the
act of the 3lst of March, 1906, imposing
imprisonment with fine upon all par
ties having anything to do with the in
stigation of affairs of this kind.
Tunison Coryell, Esq, of William.
sport, who when boy was intim ate in
the Maclay family, recollected the date
and some OF the details of the affair,
but am indebted to Mrs. Antes Sny.
der, of Pottstown, for copy Of John
Binns' autobiography, which gives Mr..
Binns' version of the affair. The file
of "Kennedy's Gazette' is wanting for
that year, and l could find no cotem.
porary account of it. Binns' account
was written in 1854, after the lapse OF
nearly half century.
He says: On Saturday, November 5,
1905, while l was in the public ball
alley at Sunhury with a bat in my
hand, tossing ball against the wall,
waiting for Major Charles Maclay to
play game, a very tall, stout stranger
came TO mo and said, "My name is Sam
Stewart, Of Lycoming county; your
name, I understand is John Binns, and
you are editor Of the Republican Ar
gus" I replied | was. 81 wish to
know" said he, "who is the author of
the letters published in that paper sign
ed 'One of thc People," "For what
purpose" said T.. He replied: "There
are remarks in ore of them which re-
fleet on my character, and must know
the author" 7 declined telling him,
but said if there was anything untrue
it should he corrected. He was stand.
ing on my lcft and instantly threw his
left across my breast, and with it held
| both my arms tight above the elbows,
and at the same time threw his right
arm across the back Of my head, vio
lontly pushing his forofinger into tho
corner of my wight eye, evidently with
the intent TO tear It out of my head.
| struck him over tho shins with all my
strength, when he let go his hold, seiz
ed me about the waist and endcavored
to throw me down. We were separated
by Major Maciay and others who came
into the alley. In his effort to gougC
out my eye he left a scar which will ac
company me to my grave.
The ball alley was attached to Harry
Shafcr's hotel. went in and wrote {
note.
SUNGURY, Nov. 9, 1905.
After threatening me like bravo
you have attacked me like rutlian
Some satisfaction ought to be rendered
for such conduct. If you have the spiri
and courage TO meet me as gentleman
and will appoint time and place, anc
meet me with pistols, accompanied b!
q friend, what has passed shall be over
looked by JOHN BINNs.
Samuel Stetcort, Esq.
To this note Mr.. Stewart returned
verbal ans yer that he was going 9th
city, but that he would be back in tw
or three weeks.
On the 18th of December note wa
handed 10 me by Mr.. Andrew KennC
dy, printer of the Northumberland
Gazette:"
NoRTHUM BERLAND. Dec. 10, 1905.
When l received your challenge
was on my way to the city, and had
not in my power to meet you, Blu
now l am here, ready to see you. Yo
will therefore mention the time an
place, and you will have it in you
power to try my spirits that you s
much doubted. 1t must be immediate
ly. Let me hear from you.
SAMUEL STEWART.
replied by note that as soon as
could get Major Maclay here i shoul
be ready, that had sent an express
: Buffalo valley for him and expect hi
that evening, and the meeting could
= in the morning.
$ On the evening Of the 18th frlen
informed me that application had bee
3 g made to a magistrate for warrant
, arrest to bind me over TO keep IL
peace. / immediately wrote note:
SATURDAY MORNING,
Sir: i have just heard that applic
tion has been made to magistrate
prevent our meeting, write to r.
i quest that you will instantly appoir
some other place. saw DerrstOWn, Mi