The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1875-11-12

Within the hour he resolved a message |
from young Price, requesting HIM 70 ap'
point time and place for meeunB.
In the meantime young Hamilton had
hurried off to consult Messrs. David ..
Jones and John II. Church about the at
fair. With them message was prepared
recurring from Eacker an explanation of
the offensive expressions he had used.
He received it that night, and merelyre-
plied that after he had finished the af
fair with Price he would be ready to
receive any communication from Ham
ilton.
On Sunday, Nov. %, at noon, Eacker
and Price met at Weekawken. Mr..
Lawrence and James Lynch were the
without harm, and then the seconds in
terposed. The principals, however,
desired another shot, and agreed that
after that the affair would be settled.
The fourth shot being without effect, a
reconciliation followed, and Price re-
marked that Eacker was sucha damned
lath of fellow that he might shoot all
day without hitting him..
o On being informed of the issue of this
meeting, that same afternoon Hamilton
sent communication to Eacker. In
consequence of this the parties were Mt
Weehawken on the next afternoon about
o'clock. Cooper, the actor was the
second of Eacker, and David S. jones
acted for Hamilton.
Everything being ready, the word was
given. There was no report from either
side. The principals stood prepared,
but without firing. Eacker had re-
solved to wait for Hamilton's fire. Ham
ilton reserved his shot, it was said, by
command of his father.
At length, Eacker took n careful aim
and fired. 1t was but second before
Hamilton. The latter, it was said, fired
in the air. Hamilton fell, shot through
the body. He was removed to the city,
and died early the next morning. In
1904 Eacker died of consumption, and
was buried in st. Pauls Churchyard,
where his headstone may now be seen.
In December following, two striplings
of twenty met on the same ground, after
dark, and fired at each other without in
jury The affair was so trivial that it is
unnecessary to mention their names.
One of the most notable duels on rec
ord was that between Dewitt Clinton
and John Swartwout on July 81, 1902.
Clinton was ranged with Hamilton in
politics, and Swartwout was one of the
tirmest friends of Burr. Mr.. Clinton,
IN an unguarded moment, had used GER
tain expressions relative to Mr.. Swart-
won't, which drew from the latter de-
mand for reparation. Col. William s.
Smith delivered the missive, and ex-
planned that the offensive epithets were
"liar, scoundrcl and villain !" Mr..
Clinton recollected applying the first
Two, but refused apology, writing to Mr..
Swartwout that he thought they were
deserved, because the latter had imputed
unworthy motives to him in the Burr
controversy. At the same time he sent
for Mr.. Richard Riker to act as his
friend.
Mr.. Riker consulted with Colonel
Smith, and they proposed n settlement
by mutual Withdrawals of offensive
words. Mr. Swartwout, however, re-
quired written apology, and this Mr..
Clinton peremptorily refused. The sec
onds then prepared for meeting, and
arranged code of ten articles, contain
ing the most minute provisions to be
observed ia the affair. Mr.. Clinton, on
his part, had mentally resolved to intro
duce another item in the proceedings,
which he did, as will be seen.
On Saturday, July 81, at 5 p. M, the
parties reached Weehawken, accompa-
MED by two surgeons, Drs. John II.
Douglass and Isaac Ledyard. Each of
the seconds afterward gave his version
OF the scene, of which the following is
the substance:
The parties being ready, Col. Smith
distinctly gave the word, and they both
fired without effect. Mr.. Clinton then
varied the proceedings by requesting his
second to ask whether his opponent was
satisfied; stating that he bore him no
resentment, and would be willing to
meet him again i'll friendship. Mr..
Swartwout was not satisfied, and the
pistols were again loaded. A second
time they We're fired without result, and
MIR. Chnton's question and offer were
repeated, and again rejected.
For the third time the pistols were
prepared and delivered. Col. Smith
gave the word. Here Mr.. Riker says he
observed that Mr.. Swartwout faced
round before the word, which drew Ri
ker's remonstrance. Swartwout fired
DCiOlC OllhtOll, anu IuS luOltI Wis SilOl
through the coat. Again the previous
offer was made and refused, unless ac-
companied by an apology, which, in
writing was then presented TO Mr. Gin
ton for his signature. He read it and
returned it, saying he would fire all night
rather than ask pardon.
The principals now, with noticeable
GOODNESS, stood ready for the fourth shot.
AT the word they fired with more DELHI
Grafton in their aim, Mr.. Clinton being a
moment after his opponent. Swartwout
received ball in his leg, just below the
knee, but he stood firm, though pale.
His surgeon hastehed to him, and, while
the seconds were busy with the pistols,
DIR. Douglass quietly extracted the ball
from the other side of his leg, contrary
to an article of the code.
Mr.. Riker, for the fourth time, repeat
ed Mr.. Clinton's question, care you
satisfied 2" Mr.. Swartwout, standing
erect, said, ~ am not. 1t is useless to
repeat the question.
"Then," said Mr.. Clinton, 81 beg
II /. Al. n