The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1873-07-03
Lincoln and Shields.

Strangely enough, the murder Of
Mansfield I. Waiworih by his son re-
calls the story Of Abraham Lincoln's
duel. The mother OF Frank Wal
worth is the daug hter Of Col. John ;.
Hardin, who saved Mr.. Lincoln from
the remorse which would have over
shadowed his life if he had killed Gen.
Shields. Colonel Hardin, was prom
inent Wing politician, and was es-
teened ''the bravest man in illinois,"
He was killed at the pattle OF Buena
Vista, and in his death fairly earned
the distinction which has admiring
friends had given him while living.
Mr.. Lincoln WAS his intimate friend,
and both men were gifted with a
large sense Of humor which they turn
ed to good account.
The hostile meeting between Mr..
Lincoln and Gen. Shields was brought
about in this way: A witty young la
dy wrote y communication for one of
the Springfield papers, in which there
were several passages which the Gen
eral was pleased to consider as person.
ally offensive. He was testy Irish
man, who had great deal of trouble,
same dignity, and could not appreci-
ate joke at mis- own expense. He
forthwith went to the newspaper OFF,
ce and demanded the name Of the cor
respondent, and this being refused, he
gave the editor three days in which to
make up his mind, either to refer him
to the writer or to take whipping
himself The poor man was greatly
distressed. He did not like TO be gull
ty OF the ungallant act OF betrayiny
his lady correspondent, and he did |
not care to have a fight with General I
Shields, who was much stronger /
man. In this dilemma he came to
Mr.. Lincoln and told him his trouble. |
The lawyer took the matter into con-
sideration, but he could think of no
stratagem for til" relief nf Ills freud. /,
At last he said u him: When Shield, !
comes around with his club tell him
that Abe Lincoln wrote that letter. :"
The editor acted upon the suggestion,
and when the il lie politician appear
ell ready to carry his threat into cxecu-
ton. he was politely requested to call
upon Abraham Lincoln for satisfac-
ton. This pui /. rev face on the
matter. Gen. Shields knew better |
than to come fo"iing about Mr.. Lin
coin with his cane. He was at that
time u great, long-armed, muscular
fellow, good natured, but rasolute, and
when the occasion demanded he could |
deal such blows with his fists as made
his antagonists think that railsplitting
was his pastime. If he had been at
tacted by General Shields, and had
that it would add anything
to the humor Of the fight, he would I
have bent his assaaiiant over his knee
manner Of conscientious mothers.
But after all his threatening and blus-
ter, General Shields could not back
out without subjecting himself 20 the
ridicule OF his towsmen, so he conclu
ded to challenge Mr.. Lincoln.-The
challenge was accepted, but to the
great dismay Of the challenger, Abra-
ham named long words as the wea-
pons. He had no skill in the use of
the sword, but with his muscular
strength he could have cut off Cen
eral Shields head before he got him.
self into position for one Of his scienti-
fic thrusts.
The time and place of meeting WAS
agreed upon. Mr.. Lincoln went to
ground early with his second, and
there being some bushes in the plat
selected for the fight, he set to work
to clear them away with q hatchet.
While he was engaged at this the 9TH
er gentleman came on the field, aud
they were 80 struck with the ludicrous
scene that they could not refrain from
laughter. Just then Col. Hardin APP
peared, and appreciating the humor-
GUS situation he appealed to both par
ties 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 peace
maker on this occasion, was man of
great courage and most chivalrous
bearing. At the breaking out Of the
Mexican war he was put in command
Of the First Illinois Volunteers, and
died on the battle field of Bnens Vista,
as already stated. Baltimore Ameri-
can.