The New York herald., 1873-10-20
Conveying a Challenge to Fowler, Of Bris-
FOL, Tenn, in 1870.
THE DUELLo CORRESPONDENCE.
Clarks0n and Hughes Posted
but No Battle.
Another Nomination Expected by the
Administration Party.


The following special correspondence to the
HERALD has just been received at this Bureau
nom the borders OF Tennessee
BRISTOL, Tenn, Oct. 10, 1878.
The present political campaign In Virginia is
virtually ended, that Is to say, as far as Colonel
Robert w. Hughes, the radical candidate for Gov
ernor, is concerned. The announcement from this
point may seem very strange 1t will be remem-
bered that at the time OF his nomination at Lynch
burg an attempt was made by his conservative op.
ponents to prove him disfranchsed by the
fact OF his having fought q duel In
North Carolina with william Cameron,
OF the Petersburg Inder, in which Cameron was
wounded and came near losing his life. After con-
siderable argument this question was dropped, as
it appeared that the duel occurred before the adop
tion OF the constitution which specifically prohib.
tied duelling. The fact OF this agitation seemed to
have squeched all mention Of a subsequent affair
or honor In which Colonel Hughes acted as a
second for the friend who had filed
similar position for him in the Cameron duel.
This fact was substantially known among the oppo-
nents OF Hughes early in the campaign, but for
various reasons the conservatives OF Virginia
failed to make them public. Your correspondent
left Washington for this point on Thursday night
and arrived here yesterday morning to procure all
the facts respecting Hughes ineligibility. The
town OF Bristol is partly in Virginia and partly in
Tennessee, and has often been the scene Of despe-
rate conflicts.
MR.. ELBERr FOWLER
is young man Of much prominence in Bristol, the
editor OF the Bristol Neaos. anewspaper OF sprignt
liness, and he is himself very bold in his declara-
tlons. From the correspondence which is here.
with sent, it can be readily seen how
he aroused the ire of Colonel Clarkson,
and how Colonel Robert w. Hughes was
involved as the conveyor Of challenge to
fight a duel. Colonel Clarkson Is a man well known
as duelst, or rather as a man in favor OF dueing
mode for settling difficulties, and he has been
engaged in several AFFAIRS OF honor, most promi-
nent among which may be mentioned the duel be-
tween Colonel Hughes and MIR. Cameron, in which
he acted as second. He has killed one man and
chastised several Others On my arrival in Bristol
l found Mr.. Fowler absent, and upon inquiry
learned Of the publication OF the full correspondence
bearing upon the subject by him. After some
trouble succeeded in obtaining copy OF the cor
respondence, which took place in 1870. The Bristol
Nears occupies the onlce OF an ordinary country
newspaper and when Its proprietor could not sbe
found l searched the town for the s'next best
man." who represents Mr.. Fowler, and on making
known the purpose OF my visit to Bristol he won
dered that the loyal virginians had not discovered
Mr.. Hughes weak point long ago.
at is true, then,n asked, "that Colonel Hughes
was really the bearer OF a bona tide challenge,
which, under the Virginia Stale constitution,
debars him from holding office in the event Of his
election as Governorf'
The answer which the rural gentleman made,
but who requested his name should not be men,
toned, as ne had nothing whatever to do with the
matter, was to this eject
Necs Of July %, 1870. which contains all the nfor.
nation you DESIRE"
In the paper OF the date mentioned found the
entire correspondence which was faithfully copied,
and the wonder is that the administration has
allowed itself to be SO badly imposed upon as to
permit an ineligible nominee to disanect the
republican party in Virginia. The nrst point to be
settled is was Colonel Hughes actually disfran-
chised9
THE STATE PROHIBITION.
The following is the article of the constitution
which Affects the case in point:-
SECTION 3-ARTIcLE s.-Electire Franchise and
citizen Of this states has, since the adj adoption OF
this constitution, fought q duel with q deadly
weapon, sent or accepted a challenge to fight q
the boundaries OF this State, or knowingly con-
veyed challenge, or aided or assisted In any man.
ner in fighting duel, shall be allowed to vote or
hold any office OF honor, pront or trust under this
constitution.
Pursuant to this provision OF the organic law the
General Assembly OF tue State OF Virginia, at its
session OF 1s69-7o, passed an act, which was ap-
proved providing as to the offence, in the words OF
the constitution, that any citizen Of Virginia who,
after the twenty-sixth day OF January, 1870, COM
mtted this offence, should be liable to all the pains
and penalties named by the constitution. on the
fifteenth day or July 1870 after the constitution
had been adopted and officially promulgated, the
following article appeared in the Bristol NeDs:-
THE INSULT.
Dr. PETER ]. HALE:
1t will be seen from the letter OF General jack
son, which appears elsewhere, that DR.. Peter J..
Hale alias Dr.. Peter s. Hale, is simply swindler.
He has been about Bristol great deal lately, and
brought to US letter OF introduction from Colonel
Thomas l. Flournoy, which, like those presented
to Others was forgery. He claims TO be nephew
OF General Jubal A. Early and halls from Frank
In County He IS said by those who know him to
easily expained when we learn that he is a rela-
tive OF Saltworks whiskey-ring Garrison.
On the publication OF this paragraph Colonel John
N Clarkson, who is the party alluded TO at the end
OF the article, got grievousy indignant. He is the
uncle OF DR.. Peter y Hale and could not permit
such an alluson to 60 unnoticed. Colonel Clark
son was o colonel in the confederate army during
the war, figured prominently in Western Virginia
as cavalry commander, and has always had the
reputation OF being nigh toned gentleman. ms
offended honor was aroused. Satisfaction must be
had and TO that end, under the code dneuo, he ad-
dressed the following letter TO Mr.. Fowler, which
is the beginning OF a correspondence which, as al
ready stated must end Colonel Hughes aspirations
for Gubernatorial honors in "Old virginny:''-
THE ..HoNoR" CORRESPONDENTS.
SrR-My friend, Colonel X. W. Hughes, win confer
with you on the subject OF your insulting allusion
to me in your paper OF this date and Is authorized
10 act lor me In this aflar. Respectfully,
JOHN N. CLARKS0N.
JULY 10, 1870.
To Mr.. FOWLER.
DOESN'T UNDERSTAND 1T.
BRISTOL Tenn, July 10, 1870.
Colonel JNo N. CLARKsoN:-
Your note Of this date has been handed me by
Colonel n. w. Hughes, and in reply have TO re-
quest you to state for which OF the Fowers II was
Intended and state the Objectionable language re-
ferred 10 with your desire In regard to the same.
This note win be handed TO you by my friend NJ. l..
BIackiey, to whom you can deliver your reply. Re-
specuully, ELbEhr FoWLEh
cLAkKsoN WANTS SATISFACTION.