The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1873-06-12

| From tho Baltimore American, June : !
Strangely enough, tho murder Of Mans
Held j. WalwUtth 10y his son recalls tn o
| story of Abraham Llncoln's duel. Tho
mother Of Frank Walworth is the dsugh-
ter of Col. John j. Hardin, who saved
Mr.. Lincoln from the rcmurse which would
nave oyer.hadowed his life II he had killed
Gen. Shields. Cot Hardin WAS a
prominen, Whig:politicIan, ard was es-
teemed the bravest man Ia Illinois He
was killed al the battle Of Buena Nists
snl IN his death fairy earned the distinc-
tlOn which his admiring friends had given
him whllo living. Mr. Lincoln was bis TO-.
Innate friend, and both men were gifted
with large sense Of humor, which they
turn t. good account.
Inc hostile meeting between Mr..
Lincoln and Gen. Shields was brought
about in tins way: A witty young lad
wrote a communication for one of the
Springfield pspers In which there were
several passages which the general was
pleased to consider e. personally offensive
lie was tcsty lrshman, Who had great
deal Of troublesome dignity, and ctulI
never appreciate n Joke at his own ex-
pcnse Ne forthwith went TO the news.
paper Office and demanded the
name Of the correspondent
and, this being refused he gave
the editor three days in which TO make up
his mind either 10 refer him TO the writer
or take whipping himself. The poor
man WAS in great distress. lie did not
Ike to DO guilty OF the ungallsnt act Of be-
traying his lady correspondent, and he did
no. care 10 hayea Gsht with Gen. Shields,
who was much stronger man. In this
dilemma he went TO Mr.. Lincoln and told
him of his trouble. The lawyer took the
matter into consideration, but he could
think OF no s.rategem or relief for his
friend. At last be said to him when
shield, comes around with his club tell
him Abe Lincoln wrote that letter" Tho
editor acted upon the suggestion, and when
the irate politician appeared, ready to
carry his threat into execution, he was po-
,itely requested TO call upon Abraham Lin
coin tof -atistaction.
TINS put new face on the matter.
hen. .Snie.d, kaes better than to come
foohng about Mr. Lincoln with his cane
He was at that time great, long-armed.
muscular fellow, good-natured, bat reso-
lutte, and when the occasion demanded he
could deal such blows with hs fists as
ting was his pastims. Ifhe had been at
tackled by Gen. Shields, and had sup.
posed that it would add ANYTHING to the
humor OF the fight, be would have bent
his spsIlant over hi. knee and
administered punishment after the man.
ner of conscientious mother, Blu, after
all hi: threatening aud bluster Gen.
Shields could not back out without sub
Lot .a1f 80 k. - e 4.
townsmen, 90 he concluded 10 challenge
Mr. Lincoln. The challenge was accepted,
but to the great dismay of the challenger
Abraham named long swords ne the
weapons. lie had no skill in the use OF
the sgord, but with his tremendous reach
cf arm ard great muscular strength be
would have cut off Gen. Shields head be-.
tore he got himself into position for one OF
his scientific thrusts.
The time and place of meeting was
agreed upon. Mr.. Lincoln went 10 the
ground early with his second, aud there
being some bushes 10 the plat selected,
he set TO work to closr them away
with hstchet While he WAS engaged at
this other gentlemen came on the field,
and they were so struck with the ludic.
rous scene that they could not refrain from
laughter. Just then Col. Hardin np-
peared, and, approaching the humorous
situation hs appealed to both gentlemen
not to make fools Of themselves with such
effect that they went home without fight
inc. Mr.. Lincoln often said sfterwsrd
that his participation in this affair was
the meanest act Of his life.
Col. Hardin, although n peacemsker
on this occasion. was q man OF great cour-
age and most chivslrous bearing At the
breaking out Of the Mexican war he was
put in command OF the First Illinois oil
unteers, and died on the battlefield Of
Bucna Vista, AS vi -asdy stated.