The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1875-03-30
The CODE.
A Duel in Missouri in Early Times.
Two Shots and Then the Drinks
Set I'm.

A Duel in Missouri in Early Tfnacs"'
Two Shots and Then the Drinks
Were Set Up.
The Sedalia (Nissouri) Bdzoo relates
the following good story:
Twenty years ago the diiapidatcd old
burgh' known as Georgetown was one OF
the most thriving villages in Central Mis-
souri,. 1t contained as jolly set Of souls
as ever lived, always ready for q fight,
fun or foot race. Taxes ehen we're about
one-tifth of one per cent, and good whls-
KY could be bought for thirty-hvc cents
per gallon.
All the hard work was done by the me-
grocs. while the s'white trash killed time
playing cards. horse racing, perpetrating
all kinds Of practical Jokes, and drinking
the aforesaid cheap whisky. 1t was no
disgrace then to 20 on weeks spree, as
the best people in the country frequently
did.
Colonel Samuel A. Lowe, now Of St.
Louis, was then the County and Circuit
Clerk and ex-ofticio Recorder, and even
then had time to spare, which he devoted
to the worship Of Bacchus. Then, as
now, Sam was little insulting when in
his cups, and on one occasion insulted
citizen Of the place, high-strung Virgin
ian, who now lives il Sedalia, and follows
the same business he was then engaged
in.
''The 'sF. F. W pocketed the insult
for the time being, but it soon came his
turn to get drunk, and then he called
Samuel to account. Samuel wanted to
apologize, but this would not wipe out
the Insult with the Virginlan. He want
ed to settle it according to the code Of
honor. This gave a show for fun, and
the bystanders took Sam out and told
him he must accept the challenge. But
he was not as bloodthirsty then as he has
been since getting command of regiment
of st. Louis MALTA, and associating with
such dare-devils as Joe Colcorc.
He revoltcd at the very idea Of killing
man, and was more greatly moved at
the idea Of being killed. After lengthy
conversation, and being assured it would
only end in fun, he agreed to accept, and
designated his second, d fine looking
young doctor, who now resides in st.
Louis and is engaged in the life insurance
business. ''Oid Virginia. chose his friend:
and the terms were soon agreed upon.
The parties we're to fight with the old
fashioned horse pistol. loaded with ball;
were to meet at u point on Muddy Creek,
to be selected by the seconds. They were
to place their backs together, and at a
signal we're to march eight steps to the
front and wheel and fire. Hour Of meet
ing, 10 o'clock the morning after the ac
ceptance.
The news was soon heralded over the
town of the coming duel, and all kinds Of
spcculations were made as to the result
This kind Of sport was something new
and pleasant, and the saloons did an cx.
ira amount Of business that night, and
many beds were untouched by persons
who were afraid they would ovcrsleep
themselves and miss the sport.
At last the morning came. and the
whole Of the male population were on the
q,ti uioe The line Of march was taken
up, and the procession wendell its way TO-
wa.:d the romantic spot known as Cedar
B,aff.
The Virginian had sobered off consid
erably, and began to rclent of his rash
ness. Having arrived on the ground cho'
sen by the seconds, he readily agreed to
settle the difficulty with one shot each
Frequent ibatiols were INDUCED in, and
bSth Of the principals showed they
were the worse by liquor. The excite
iment ran at fever heat when the duelists
were placed in position, back to back, and
the eight PAGES were stepped off. The
seconds acted in the double capacity o
bottle holders, and each gave his man
drink, when hands were shaken and fare
wells exchanged. The word. Forward
march!'' was given, when each of tn
principals marched directly to the front
eight PAGES, and wheeled as the wvr'
Sire was given. Each man shot, bu
not at his adversary. as there was a.
eight-foot hill between them, the second
having chosen the top of ridge or ''bac
bone,' and each man had marched out &
; sight of the other. The crowd we're nc
long in seeing the ''pint,' when a lou
hurrah went up, and the Virginian ''se
up'' many a gallon Of old rye over hi
duel. The principals were the best
friends before night, and went togeth@
on jolly 81 rec.