The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1873-10-04

/ 10 llTt III ltIl OT NV tlNt pNN'T.
When he had approached within
thirty PAGES Of McClung great was the
, surprise of the spectators to observe Nc
Clung slowly raise his pistol, take delib-
crate aim, and fire. Their surprise
was still greater when theys Allen
totter and fall. He had been shot in
the mouth. the ball passing through
the neck, and severing the carotid AR
| terry. lie died in II few moments This
was the most remarkable shot ever
made with pistols. The distance was
measured and found to be illl thirty
yards. -, ~
McClung had severai- other i1lIlcul-
ties, but in several affairs he ,sotAd not
consent to the terms, andps meetings
took place. At last he was involved
in an affair with brotirr hentucklah,
young Menifee, very popular ana
promising gentleman, brother OF Men
ifce, the brilliant representative in
Congress from KeDtucky, whose career
attracted so much attention thirty
years ago, whose carly death III the
very bloom Of his reputation, was so
deeply mourned in Kentucky, and
whose genius and virtues were so elo-
quently eulogized and so faithfully
described by Thomas Il. Marshal,
cousin of McClung, in one of the most
beautiful funeral orations ever deliv-
cred.
Tie origin of the affair between Me-
Clung and Mcnilec was-aH, indeed,
was the case with most of McClung's
aifairs--quite trivial. But there were
pride, rivalry, the instigation of third
partics-thosc troublesome intcrmed-
d!ers who live upon the excitement of
such allairs-and the desire to create
eensation among people strangely
cnamored of that sortof fame which is
won in Il successful duel. These, more
than any grudge or ll-feeling growing
out of the immediate cause ofthc quar-
rel, provoked and produced the issue
which could only be determined 10y a
meeting. the details of which must be
OF the most striking and decisive
character.
The rificis the Kcntuckian's weapon.
Mcnifec was reputed to be All excellent
marksman. 1t was not known whether
McClung was expert in the use OF the
weapon or not, but he cheerfully ac-
cepted it, and the meeting WAS arraDg-
ed to take place on the old duelling
ground, opposite Nicks sburg. No dis
guise or secrcsy was observed i'll the
matter, The duel was then the COM
mon Inv Of Mississippi, end meetings
took place daily. or course, this af-
fair attracted much attention. Meni
fee was greatly beloved in Nicksbnrg
by large circle of friends and admir-
ers, and McClung was feared and re-
garded with awe by nearly everybody.
An immense cOncOurSe assembled to
witness the duel. Carriages came from
a distance for the gentlemen, planters,
to swell tho crowd. VislshUrg emp
tied its whole motley population Into
the field whore the meeting was
arranged to take place. The par
ties were punctual; each was supported
by several friends, veterans of the du-
clio. Each had Wager or short rifle,
Mcnfee one of the United States rifles,
and McClung shorter rifle, manutac-
tured by famous gunsmith of Natchez,
Miss. The distance was sixty yards. |
With difficulty the crowd was forced
back IN make room for the combat
Never were two brayar nr cooler men |
opposed on the field OF mortal combat, |
The chivalry of Kentucky-chiralry |
misled and perverted, no doubt, by a
vicious public opinion-was there rep
resented.
Both were men in the flower of
manhood both elegant and dignitied
in carriage anti pr9p0rtions. An unu-
sual grace and precision mafhGl all |
their action. The eyes of q vast null |
titude were fixed upon them; they
knew and felt that they were the cyno- /
sures of every one, and that their bear
ing should he worthy of the "old /
bloody ground' that had produced
them.
The positions were taken, and the
rifles were placed in the combatants
hands.
"Are you ready" was called out in
a strong, loud VOICE, "Ready," firmly |
responded both. A slight pause ol-
sued. "Fire--one- two" Here |
Menifee's rifle exploded and the bullet |
whistled by the head OF McCiung, and |
lodged in tree which appeared to be
on an exact line with the body of the |
latter.
But, to the surprise of everybody, |
McUiung, instead of firing his piece,
shook, it, as if trying to break it,
and, with fierce oath, hurled it q
distance of twenty feet away. The
gun lit upon a pile of soft sand and
stuck, muzzlc down, several feet into
ii.
What was the meaning of this Curl
Gus action? thought all. The seconds
soon learned 1.-THE gun had hung fire.
They rescued it, removed the sand
from its mH7zle and reloaded it. After
an interval of ten minutes, tho COM,
batants resumed their positions and the
crowd gathered around them again.
During the interlude, many bets had
been wagercd on the result of the duel.
Menifee had the odds, as all those
present wore acquainted with his pro-
ficiency, and he was more liked than
McClung. The sympathy of the null
titudc was decidedly with him.
The word was again given. This
time, McClung's piece was more faith
full. Before Menifee's finger lad
pressed the trigger of his rifle, that of
McClung had vihrated, and the ball
striking the cock af Menifees gun
hurled the piece of it deep into the
brain of the unfortunate young man,
who fell instantly, and breathed
his last before he could he removed.
McClung raised himself TO his full
height and peering through the smoke,
saw his antagonist fall. linen he ur0p-
ped upon his knees and tcnderly press
ing his rifle to his bosom, kissed IT af-
fectionately, as lover would his mis-
tress, or q mother her child. 1t is said
that he also uttered a prayer of thank
fulness TO God for protecting him in
that emergency. A deep groan arose
from the multitude when the gallant
young Kentcckian was seen TO fall.
His body was followed homeward by n
long AMI sorrowful procession. When
his funeral took place the next day,
this iiyictim Of honari was buried
amid such tokens of public grief az
usually mark the last honors paid TO
some deceased patriot, or distinguish
ed soldier slain in good and noble
cause,
This was the last fatal duel in which
was engaged. lie had many
quarfcis and was frequedtly challenged,
but some difficulty in the arrangement
of the terms prevented meetings. The
good fortune which had attended him
In all hia affairs Oaya him a charmed