The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1875-11-12
THE FIELD OF HONOR.
uDue,ins at Weehawken, n. j., in the Older
Time.

uDuelins at Weehawken, n. j., i'm the Older
Time.
The extraordinary series of duels
which Tor so many years gave Weehawken
an evil celebrity, began III 1899. In that
year a rumor had spread through this
State that the Holland Land Company
had cancelled bond for $4,000 against
Aaron Burr, in consideration of certain
Legislative services. Burr was promi-
nent awyer, had been United States
Senator for six years, and was an aspirant
for the Presidency at the approaching
election. He had become the target of
a host OF personal and political enemies.
Some free comments in apparent sup
port of the rumor mentioned had been
made by John B. Church, the brother
in-law of Alexander Hamilton, which
were reported to Col. Burr. He chal-
lenged Church, and the challenge was
accepted. The parties met at Weekawken
on Monday evening, Sept. ?, about sun
set. 1t was Burrs first duel, and the
first of the combats which afterward
male that narrow shelf among the cliffs
a dark and bloody ground.
Church's second was Mr.. Hammond,
of New York. Judge Burke, of South
Carolina, acted for Burr. Before reach
ing the ground, Burr explained to his
second that the balls had been cast too
small for his pistols, and that he had
provided chamois leather and grease
with which to make them fit The prin-
cipals had been placed in position ten
PAGES apart, when Burr observed his
second trying to finish the loading of his
pistol. He was making laborious efforts
10 drive the ramrod in with stone. FL
nally, having apparently finished, he
handed the pistol to his waiting prin-
cipal.
Burr, with great GOODNESS, then drew
the hammer and felt for the ball cit is
not driven home," he said to his Sec
ond.
g know it," said the Judge, wiping
The perspiration from his brow 81 for
get 10 grease the leather. But see, your
m&n is ready. Don't keep him waiting.
Just take crack as it is, and I'll grease
the next.
The word was then given and both the
,combatants fired. Mr.. Church was un-
harmed, but the ball from his pistol
passed through Burr's coat. The PTS
tolls were about to be reloaded for an
other slot, when Mr.. Church made an
apology acceptable to the seconds I; the
principals shook hands, and all returned
TO the city.
In 1901, the continued political ami
nosities Of the time seem to have been
the real occasion of two successive en-
counters, one Of which had a fatal re-
suit Mr.. George Eacker, native of
PaIatine, New York, was a promising
young lawyer, q years of age, practicing
IN this city and on the Fourth of July
of that year lac had delivered public
oration which attracted much favorable
attention. He was a political friend OF
Col. Burr. On Friday evening, Nov.
20, he had visited the Park Theater in
company with Miss Livingston and his
friend Mr.. Lawrence. Cooper was on
the stage in the part of Frederick, in
Lovers Vows" The afterpiece was n
panto mime. The account of what fol-
lowed in the boxes is the narration of
Mr.. Lawrence, and was published III the
american citizen and AdU0cdte of
Nov. q at the time.
in an adjoining box were Philip Ham
slton, eldest son of the statesman, and
Mr.. Price, son OF Stephen Price, the
lessee of the theater. They made some
audible and offensive remarks about
Hackers former Grafton, which he heard
but avoided noticing. Soon afterward
The young men entered his box and com
menced some sarcastic remarks, which
compelled Eacker to step into the lobby
Tor the purpose OF demonstrating with
them As he passed out he said cit was
abomlnable to be thus publicly insulted
by set of rascals." An alteration in
the lobby ensued, and an assault seemed
imminent, but 1t was prevented by
others. Eacker desired to avoid brawl
IN the tneater, and proposed retiring to
some private place, which they did. The
interview was without any amicable re-
suit, and Eacker returned to his party
ut the theater, telling his opponents he