The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1875-11-11
THE FIELD OF HONOR.
Dueling al WeehawkeD, N. j., in the Olden
Time.


DueIing at Weehawken, N. j., in the Olden
The extraordinary series of duels
which for so many years gave Weehawken
an evil celebrity, began in 1899. In that
year a rumor had spread through this
State that the Holland Land Company
had cancelled bond for 800, 900 against
Aaron Burr, III 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 III apparent sup
port of the rumor mentioned had been
made by John B. Church, the brother
iD-law Of Alexander Hamilton, which
were reported to Col. Burr. He chal-
Ienged Church, and the challenge was
accepted. The partiesmet at Weekawken
on Monday evening, Sept. 2, about sum
set. It was Burr's first duel, and the
first OF the combats which afterward
made 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-
.vcipals had been placed in position ten
paces apart, when Burr observed his
second trying to finish the loading of his
pistol. lie was making laborious efforts
to 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. /" It is
not driven home" he said to his Sec
ond.
81 know it, said the Judge, wiping
the perspiration from his brow 81 for
got to grease the leather. But see, your
man is ready. Don't keep him waiting
Just take crack as it is, and I'll grease
tine next.
The word was then given and both the
YCombatants fred. Mr.. Church was I'M
harmed, but the ball from his pistol
PASSED through Burr's coat. The pis-
usSfR were about to be reloaded for an
other slot, when Mr.. Church made an
apology acceptable to the seconds the
principals shook hands, and all returned
to the city.
In 1901, the continued political ami
mosities of the time seem to have been
the real occasion of two successive en-
counters, one CT which had a fatal re-
sult. 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 chat year he had delivered public
Grafton which attracted much favorable
attention. He was 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
-<sLover's Vows The afterpiece was a
pantomime, The account of what fol-
lowed In the boxes is the narration of
Mr.. Lawrence, and was published in the
american Citizen and AdVOcGte of
Nov. 81 at the time
In an adjoining box were Philip Ham
Iton, 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
anenced some sarcastic remarks, which
compelled Eacker to step into the lobby
for the purpose of demonstrating with
them. AS he passed out he said cit was
abominable to be thus publicly insulted
by set of rascals. An alteration In
the lobby ensued, and an assault seemed
imminent, but it was prevented by
others. Eacker desired to avoid brawl
IN the theater, and proposed retiring to
some private place, which they did. The
interview was without any amicable re-
suit, and Eacker returned to his party
at the theater. telling his opponents he