The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1876-05-04
rur prrr,.o !, vruaosr.

IN searching the old manuscripts and
newspapers of Vermont. for historical
( purposes, incidents have been enooupi.
cred which, though hardly admissible Ia
detail ID an offsial history ef tho State,
viii nevertheless iaierest many Feadrrs
/ ln thpse days. Among these iH duel
attempted more than eighty years ago,
I by two eminent Vcrmonters, an account
Of which was given 10 tho newspapers Of
thst day, but has no, been perpctuaied
by tradition. In lts time Il was an ex.
citing event; bat tbe attempted tragedy
had 80 much Of The ludierous 10 rs fail
urc. that the parties and their friends
doubtless professed 10 forget Il,
liza Allen was probably the most euter-
pfisinp, energetic and industrious Of The
public men OF Vermont IN bis day, hold
ibg many important offices at the same
Time councillor, State Treasurer agoat
70 Congress, aud surveyor goneral-and
wilha engaged IN large public aud prl-
yaie enterprises, His public work, con-
sideting the multiplicity Of his employ.
meuts, was done surprisingly wen, and
vet not perfectly well. His fate was that
of all others who undertook too much,
aud bis last days were flied with conse.
quent misiortunes aud trials, which
goaded him almost 10 insanity, aud un-
doubtedly hastened bis death. For some
years before aud also after he lefl the
Office Of State Treasurer, be urged upon
the legislature the necessity OF settling
his account, but this business was long
delayed, and so long that Allen himself
had forgotten some things necessary 10
explain his accounts 10 the satisfaction |
of others, In 1891 Isaac Tiehenor was
appointed to exami ne the accounts, who, |
in l792, reported an apparent balance
against Allen, and Allen claimed about |
the same amount in his favor. Moreover |
Allen proposed TO enter suit in the
United States Circuit Court against the
State, and Tichenor was appointed 10
defend the State. In 1898 Tichenor ~.
ported that, through Darius Chapman, he
had prevented the entry OF the snt. =
Allen then asked an act for the purpose
OF making q final settlement, when Itch
enor was requested to attend and show
cause, If any, why this act should not
pass. lie complied, and, after much
the bin was dismissed. This
was on the 3lst Of October, and on that
day occurred the collision between Allen
and Tichenor, which resulted in chal-
lenge.
The following is from tho Farmers
Library of November 4, 1898;
We hear from Windsor, that on Friday
last, in consequence of some msunder-
standing between Major-General Ira
Allen and Major-General Isaac Tichenor,
the former sent the latter challenge to n
duel, which was readily accepted. And
on Saturday morning at six o'clock, they
appeared according to agreement, on the
east bank Of the Connecticut River, just
opposite TO Windsor, in order to ex-
change few shots. Their rules were
made, the ground was measured, they Il
placed themselves back TO back, marched
Off and wheeled al the word; at this in
slant a number of spectators who had
Just then arrived rushed between them
and seized their arms; they then return
cd, after having given satisfactory proof
Of their undsunted frmness and cour-
age.
A friend of Tichenor was dissatisfied
with so much OF the above account as
relates 10 the challenge, and stated, in
he Library Of December 2, that Tiehenor
provoked the challenge, and told Allen
le was ready to give him any satisfaction
40 wished for, when, where, and in
manner be pleased, aud at the
.ame time cautioning him against using
! long gun; this was previous to General
alan's sending GenI Tichenor a line TO
meet him over the river. This particular
Exception serves as proof of The rest Of
he account Whether the alluson TO
ong gun was studied insult, implying (,
hat Allen was accustomed to the COLO
luial long.bow, or a hint that Tichenor
was the best shot-probaby the best in
Vermont-may be guessed. Had the
lght gone on, Allen doubtless would
rave fallen, and Tichenor would have
,een branded as murderer, instead Of
becoming for years an exceedingly popu-
ar Governor Of Vermont