Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1873-07-17

STATEMENT OF AN WITNESS.

From a well known gentleman, who was
present among the spectators, we hear the
following narration of the tragic affair:
Learning through a private telegram
addressed to me at Mississippi City, that
the duel was to take place, / concluded TO
intercept the train and, ifpossible, accom-
pany the party. With this object left Mis-
sssippi City on the morning train, and
met the other on this side of the Rigolets,
the usual meeting place.
The vicinity Of Montgomery station is
a broad stretch oflow, level land, sparsely
populated, and filled with pine trees, not,
however, so thickly as 10 obstruct the
view. There is but one habitation in the
neighborhood, onestory, implanted
frame building TO the left of the road, look
ing toward Mobile. This and this sta
ton house. a small, similar building to
the others along the route, were the only
edifices of any character in the vicinage.
When the train stopped, twelve or fif-
teen persons descended. Upon their land
ing, 1t was intimated quietly by one of the
seconds that according To the terms of the
agreement no one but those Immediately
interested should be admitted to the
ground, and of course in obedience to this
bueRestiOH IidJoiIt1 itIiaiHca duiSiy ds
the station-house.
The party brought with them two color
ed servants, who carried two sets OF
double-barreled guns, the ammunition,
and other accoutrements.
They moved To spot between eighty
and one hundred yards distant from the
station, and about twenty yards to the
right Of the road, that is, on the side near
h,nL sc hah lxx
a mile and half away. The site chosen
is an ordinary strip of piney woods land,
with little or no peculiar characteristics.
Upon a toss Judge Cooley won the
word and choice of position, and
very shortly afterward Col. Rhett was
placed by his second with his back
TO the railroad, and, as seemed TO me,
near pine tree. Judge Cooley was plac-
ed forty yards distant, with his back to
the bay, and facing Col. Rhett Two OF
the seconds then occupied positions fac
ing each other, and equidistant between
the two contestants, but outside OF the line
Of fire. The other seconds, think. took
positions near their principals, but l was
so deeply interested in watching the
others that did not particularly observe
them.
The two gentlemen stood gazing at each
other with the breeches Of their shot
guns drawn up to the shoulder, and the
muzzles pointed to the ground, while DIR.
Bruins, in clear and audible voice, read
the articles Of agreement which had been
previously signed by the seconds. The
doctor took some little time in explaining
clearly what was required Of each, and
seemingly was very DESTROYS that no pos
sible mistake should occur.
So excited did become that / did not
catch the exact words used, but my i'm
preston is the doctor cried, "Are you
ready?" Fire" "One, two, three, halt"
At the words "Are you ready" both
weapons were slightly elevated; at the
word fire" they were brought to a level,
and between the words zone" and "halt,"
both weapons were discharged.
Judge Cooley, think, fired at the word
"one," but Colonel Rhctt's weapon was
seemingly little hard on the trigger, and
was discharged between the words zone"
and "two."
Neither party being hurt, the friends of
Colonel Rhett demanded another shot
which was promptly accorded, and the
seconds at once reloaded the pieces.
At the second discharge the same form
ula was repeated, and both guns were
simultaneously discharged.
With convulsive turn to the left, Judge
Cooley fell.
The friends and spectators, who in the
meantime had remained at the station,