The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-01-15
Abraham LiieOln's Duel.

OaiitS~ OAtCld@, tien Olstte -Auu4t'i' nv"
residing in Missouri, to receive the bills
OF the State Bank in payment of taxes,
said bills being worth in specie only
about fifty cents on a dollar. This
measure provoked universal denuncia-
tion, and Mr.. Lincoln, then compare
lively unknown lawyer, wrote commu-
nication on the subject, which was pub
lished in the Sangamon Journal, the
Whig organ at Springfield, over the
signature of "Rebecca," dated Lost
Township, Sept ?, 1912. 1t was in the
! form Of dialogue between "Aunt Re
| becca" and her Democratic neighbor, in
which she handled the officers of the
State savagely for their order refusing
the State Bank money, and was particu-
larly severe on Shields, calling him a
liar and fool, dull as cake of tai
low" Shields was a bachelor, and very
vain, and his appearance at a fair in the
city was caricatured, his demeanor criti-
cised, and he denounced as "conceited
Ounce"
The article soon became the talk Of
the town, and the excitable IFishman
fairly foamed with rage, He proceeded
at once to the editor of the Journal,
Simeon Francis, demanded the name of
the author of the offensive communica-
ton, and that of Mr.. Lincoln was given
him. Lincoln was at that time attend
ing court at fremont, TaZewell county,
but thither Shields hastened, accompan-
led by his "friend." Gen. Whitesides,
and Immediately on his arrival sent a
note to Lincoln stating that his name
had been given to him as the author of
an insulting article signed "Rebecca," >"
and requiring "a full, positive, and alb
solute retraction of all offensive allusion
to him personally, and an ample apology
for the insults conveyed"
1t so happened that two friends of Mr..
Lincoln, Dr. Merriman and William
Butler, learned of Shields departure for
fremont and his object, and mounting
their horses rode all night, and commu
nicated with Mr.. Lincoln before Mr..
Shields did; so he was in measure pre-
pared for the hostile note. The same
evening he replied, refusing to offer any
explanation, on the ground that Shields
assumed tie fact of the authorship Of
the article in question, and while not
pointing out any particular part to
which he objected, demanded general
retraction, accompanying the same with
threats and menace in case of refusal. One
or two other notes were exchanged.
Then Shields sent final rejoinder, de-
signaling Gen. Whitesides as the friend
selected t. arrange for the meeting, at
which the satisfaction he demanded
should be rendered Mr.. Lincoln
promptly responded, and named DR..
Merriman as his friend.
Further proceedings were, however,
adjourned to Springfield: bnt the fact
that hostile meeting between the two
parties was imminent soon became known
and in order to avoid arrest, Mr.. Lin
coin suddenly retired to Jacksonville,
leaving with Mr.. Butler paper ex-
pressing his willingness to say to Gen.
Shields:
81 did write the Lost Township let
ter, but had no participation in any
form in any other article alluding to
you. l had no intention of injurIng
your personal or private character or
standing as a man or gentleman, and l
did not then think that the article
could produce or has produced that eff
feet against you, and had I anticipated
such an effect should have forborne to
write it."
If this was not satisfactory he laid
down the following preliminaries for the
fight:
1. Weapons-Cavalry broadswords of
the largest size, precisely equal in all
respects, and such as are now used by
the cavalry company at Jacksonville.
2. Position-A plank ten feet long
and from nine to twelve inches broad, to
be firmly fixed on edge on the ground
as the line between US, which neither is
to pass his foot over on forfeit of his life.
Next, a line drawn on the ground on
either side of said plank and parallel
with it, each at the distance of the
length of the sword and three feet ad-
ditional from the plank, and the retreF t.
ing of his own accord over such line by
either party during the fight shall be
deemed a surrender of the contest.
s. Time-On Thursday evening, at
five o'clock, if agreeable; but in no case
TO be deferred longer than Friday even
ing at five o'clock.
4. Place-Within three miles of AL
ton, on the opposite side of the river,
the particular spot to be agreed upon by
you. Any details coming within the
foregoing rules you are at liberty to
make at your discretion; but you in no
case to swerve from these rules or pass
beyond the limits.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
Shields friends declined to discuss the
terms of settlement until they should
meet in Missouri. All parties now lef
for Alton. Lincoln's friends met him
at Jacksonville, where the weapons were
procured, and surgeon-Dr. A. L.
Bledsoe-joined the party. When
Shields and his party arrived all crossed
into Missouri, ard the work of laying
off the ground was commenced.
Fortunately, at this junction, Col. J.
J. Hardin and DIR. r. w. English, warm
personal friends of both parties, arrived
on the scene, having come all the way
from Springfield with the sole purpose
of bringing about an accommodation,
and Immediately presented the follow
ing proposition:
40 Messrs. Whitesides and MeITimdn:
"Let the whole difficulty be submit
ted to four or more gentlemen of your
own choosing, who shall consider the af-
fair and report thereupon for your con.
! sideration.