The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1873-07-23
HOW ABRAHAM LINC0I,N AND GENE.
RAJ SHIELDS DIDN'T FIGHT A DUEL.

Strange en0ugh,th murder OF Mans
field 7. Walworth by his son recalls
the story of Abraham Lincoln's duel.
The mother of Frank Walworth is the
daughter of John j. Hardin, who saved
Mr.. Lincoln from the remorse that
would have overshadowed his life if he
had killed General Shields. Colonel
Hardin was prominent Wing poll
tician, and was esteemed "the bravest
man in Illinois," He was killed at
the battle of Buena Vista, and in his
death fairly earned the title his ad-
miring 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
turned to good account.
The hostile meeting between Mr..
Lincoln and General 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 chose to consider
as personally offensive. He was testy
Irishman, who had q great deal of of
fensive dignity, and could never ap-
preciate a joke at his own expense. He
forthwith went to the newspaper Office
and demanded the name of the CORES
pondent, 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 take a whipping himself.
The poor man was greatly distressed.
He did not like to be guilty of the un.
gallant act of betraying his lady cor
respondent, and he did not care to
have fight with General Shields, who
was a much stronger man. In this di-
lemma he came to Mr.. Lincoln and
told him of his trouble. The lawyer
took the matter into consideration,
but he could think of ne stratagem for
the relief 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
politely requested to call upon Abra-
ham Lincoln for satisfaction.
This put now face on the matter.
General Shields knew better than to
come fooliRg about Mr. Lincoln with
his cane. He was at that time great
long armed, muscular fellow, good
natured but resolute, and when the oc-
casion demanded he could deal such
blows with his fists as made his antag-
onist think that rail.splitting was his
pastime. If he had been attacked by
General Shields, and had supposed
that it would add anything to the hu-
NOR of the fight, he would have bent
his assailalt over his knee and admin
istered punishment after the manner
of conscientious mothers. But after
all his threatening and bluster, Gene
raj Shields could not back out without
subjecting himself to the ridicule of his
townsmen, so he concluded to chal-
lenge Mr.. Lincoln. The challenge was
accepted, but to the great dismay of
the challenger Abraham named long
swords as the weapons. Heshad no
skill in the use of the sword, but with
his tremendous reach of arm and great
muscular strength he would have CUT
off General Shields head before he got
himself into position for one of his sci
entific 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 Sc
lected for the fight, he set to work to
clear them away with his hatchet.
While he was engaged at this the other
gentlemen came on the field, and they
were so struck with the ludicrous scene
} that they could not refrain from laugh
ter. Just then Colonel Hardin ap-
peared, and appreciating the humorous
situation, he appealed to both parties
not to make fools of themselves with
such effect that they went home with
out 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 a man Sl
great courage and chivalrous bearing
At the breaking out Of the Mexican
war he was put in command of the
First Illinois Volunteers, and died on
} the battlefield of Buena Vista, as al,
! ready stated.
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