Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1873-07-04
Abarnam Lincoln's Duel.
A FORGOTTEN INCIDENT RECALLED

Strangely enough the murder OF
Mansfield S. Walworth by his son re-
calls the story of Abraham Lincoln's
duel. The mother of Frank Walworth
is the daughter of Col. John j. Hardin,
who saved Mr.. Lincoln from the remorse
which would have overshadow his life ii
he had killed Gen. Shields. Col. Hardin
was prominent whig politician, and
was esteemed the "bravest man in Hi
nois." He was killed at the battle of
Buena Vista, and in his death fairly
earned the distinction which his admir-
ing 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 togood ac-
count.
The hostile meeting of Mr.. Lincoln
and Gen. Shields was brought about this
way: A witty young lady wrote COM
munication for one of the Springfield
papers, in which there were several pas.
sages which the General was pleased to
consider as personally offensive. He
was testy Irishman, who had great
deal of troublesome dignity, and could
never appreciate a joke at his own ex-
pense. He went forthwith to the news
paper office and demanded the name Of
the correspondent, and, this being re-
fused, he gave the editor three days in
which to make up his mind, either to re-
fer him to the writer or to take whip
ping himself The poor man was great
ly distressed. He did not like to be guilty
of the ungallant act of betraying his
lady contributor, and he did not care to
have fight with Gen. Shields, who was
much stronger man. In this dilemma,
he came to Mr.. Lincoln and told him
of his trouble. The lawyer took the
matter into consideration, but he could
think of no stratagem for the relief of
his friend. At last he said to him,
When Shields comes around with his
club, tell him that Abe Lincoln wrote
the 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 for satisfac-
| ton.
This put new face upon the matter.
Gen. Shields knew better than to come
fooling about Mr.. Lincoln with his cane.
He was at that time great, long-armed
muscular fellow, good natured, but reso-
lutte, and when the occasion demanded
he could deal such blows with his fists
as made his antagonists think that rail-
splitting was his pastime. If he had
been attacked by Gen. Shields, and had
supposed that 1t would add anything to
the humor of the fight, he would have
bent his assailant over his knee and ad.
ministered punishment after the manner
of conscientious mothers. But after all
his threatening and bluster Gen. Shields
could not back out without subiecting
himself to the ridicule of his townsmen
SO he concluded to challenge Mr.. Lincoln
The challenge was accepted, but to the
great dismay of the challenger, Abra-
ham named long swords as the weapons
| He had no skill in the use of the sword
but with his tremendous reach of arm
and great muscular strength he would
have cut off Gen. Shields head before
he got himself into position for one Of
his scientific thrusts.
hO oihiO GNU paw VI lbOObibS WCic
agreed upon. Mr.. Lincoln went to the
ground early with his second, and there
being some bushes IN the plot selected
| for the fight, he set to work to clear them
away with a hatchet. While he was en-
gagged at this, other gentlemen came to
the field, and they were SO struck with
the ludicrous scene that they could not
refrain from laughter. Just then Col
Hardin appeared. and appreciating 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
in this affair was the meanest act of his
life.
Col. Hardin, although a peacemaker
on this occasion, was man of great
courage and chivalrous bearing. At the
breaking out of the Mexican war he was
put in command of the 1st Illinois vol
unteers, and died on the battlefield of
Buena Vista, as already stated