The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1873-06-20
ALMOST A DUEL.
An Incident I'm the Life OF Abraham Lin
colin and the Grandfather OF Frank
Wnlxvorth, the Murderer.

An Incident in the Life OF Abraham Lin
coin and the Grandfather Of Frank
Wmlwsrth, the Murderer.
Strangely enough the murder of Mans
field Il. Walworth by his son recalls the
story of Abraham Lincoln's duel. The
mother of Frank Walworth is the daugh-
ter of Col. John j. Hardin, who saved
Mr. Lincoln from the remorse which
would have overshadowed his life if he
had killed Gen. Shields. Col Hardin
was prominent Wing politician, and
was esteemed "the bravest man in
Illinois" He was killed at the battle
of Buena Vista, and in his dealt. fairly
earned the distinction which his admir-
ing friends had given him while living.
NJ. Lincoln was his intimate friend, and
both men were gifted with a large sense
of humor which they turned to good
account.
The hostile meeting between Mr..
Lincoln and Gen. Shields was brought
about in this way A witty young lady
wrote a communication for one of the
Springfield papers, in which there were
several passages which the General was
pleased to consider as personally otfen-
sive. He forthwith went 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
refer him to the writer or to take whip
ping himself The poor man was great
" distressed. He did not like to be
guilty of the ungallant act OF betraying
his lady correspondent, and he did not
care to have fight with Gen. Shields,
who was a 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 re-
lief of his friend At last he said to
him: "When Shields comes around
with his club tell him that Abe Lincoln
wrote that letter." The editor acted
upon the suggestion, and when the irate
politician appeared ready to carry his
threat into execution, he was polietely
requested to call upon Abraham Lin
coin for satisfaction
This put new face on 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 res
olute, 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 it would add anything to
the humor of the fight, he would have
bent his assailant over his knee and adj
ministered punishment after the man.
ner of conscientious mothers. But after
oil
Shields could not back out without sub
iecting himself to the ridicule of his
townsmen, so he concluded to challenge
Mr.. Lincoln. The challenge was ac-
cepted, but to the great dismay OF the
challenger, Abraham named long swords
as the weapons. He had no skill in the
use of the sword, but with his tremen-
dious reach of arm and great muscular
strength he would have cut off Gen.
Shields head before he got himself in
position for one of his scientific thrusts.
The time and place of meeting were
agreed upon. Mr.. Lincoln went to the
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 Ratchet. While he
was engaged at this other gentleman
came on the field, and they were so
struck with the ludicrous scene that
they could not refrain from laughter.
Just then Col. Hardin appeared. and
approaching the humorous situation, he
appealed to both parties not to make
tools 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 baltimore
Anleric0n.