The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-06-09

coin was Saved from q Duel with &c n
eral Shields by Colonel John j. Hardin,
the Father or the Mother OF Young Wall
worth.
From the Baltimore American June ~.
Strangely enough the murder OF Mansfield r.
Walworth by his son recalls the story OF Abraham
Lincolns duel. The mother OF Frank Walworth is
the daughter OF Colonel John j. Hardin, who
saved Mr.. Lincoln from the remorse which would
have overshadowed his lie If he had killed General
Shields Colonel Hardin was prominent wing
politician, and was esteemed ''the bravest man in
lllin0is.n He was Killed at the battle Of Buena
VISTA and In his death fairly earned the distinction
which his admring friends had given him while
living. Mr.. Lincoln was his intimate friend and
both men were gifted with large sense OF humor,
which they turned TO good account
The hostile meeting between Mr.. Lincoln and
General Shields was brought about In rhs way: A
OF the Springfield papers, IN which there were
several passages which the General was pleased
10 consider as personally offensive. lie was
testy lrishman, who had a great deal OF trouble
some dignity, and could never appreciate u joke
at his own expense He forthwith went to the
correspondent, and, this being refused he gave
the editor three days IN winch TO make up his
mind, either to refer him TO the writer or 10 take
q whipping himself The poor man was greatly
distressed. He did not like TO be guilty Of the
nngallant act OF betraying his lady correspond
ent and he did not care to have tight with
General Shields, who was'a much stronger man:
In this dilemma lie came to Mr. Lincoln and told
him of his trouble. The lawyer took the matter
into consideration, but he could think or no
stratagem Tor the relief OF his friend At last he
said to him, "When Shields comes around with his
club tell him that Abe Lincoln wrote that letter."
The editor acted upon the suggestion, and when
the irate politician appeared, ready TO carry his
threat into execution he was politely requested to
call upon Abraham Lincoln Tor satisfaction.
This put new face on the matter. General
Shields knew better than 10 come footing about
Mr.. Lincoln with his cane. He was at that time
a great, longarmed, muscular fellow, good
natured, but resolute, and when the occasion
demanded he could deal such blows with his
splitting was his pastime. II he had been
attacked by General Shields, and had supposed
that 1t would add anything to the hHmOr OF the
fight, he would have bent his assailant over his
ner OF conscientious mothers. But after all his
threatening and buster General Shields could not
back out without subiecting himself TO the ridicue
OF his townsmen, so he concluded TO challenge MI.
Lincoln. The challenge was accepted, but to the
great dismay OF the challenger Abraham named
long swords as the weapons. He had no SIKH IN
the use OF the sword, but with his tremendous
reach of arm and great muscular strength he would
have cut or General Shields head before he got
himself into position for one OF has scientific
thrusts.
The time and place OF meeting were agreed upon.
Mr.. Lincoln went to the ground early with his
second, and there being some bushes IN the plat
selected Tor the fight, he set to work TO clear them
away with q Ratchet. While he was engaged at
this other gentlemen came on the field. ana they
were so struck with the ludicrous scene that they
could not refrain from laughter. Just then Colonel
Hardin appeared, and, approaching the humorous
situation he appealed to both parties not to make
fools OF themselves with such effect that they went
home without fighting. Mr.. Lincoln often said
afterwards that his participation in this affair was
the meanest act OF his life.
Colonel Hardin, although neacenlaker on this
occasion, was n man OIL great courage and most
chivalrous bearing. At the breaking ont OF the
Mexican war he was put In command OF the First
Illinois Volunteers and died on the battlefield o
Buena Vista, as already stated.