Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1877-01-27
A DUEL OF LONG AGO.
THE MAY-cocHRANE MEETING IN VIRGINIA
IN 1874.
From the New York World 18th.

From the New York World l2th.l
The May Bennett difficulty andreport-
ed. duel have revived the recollection OF
fatal meeting thirty-two years ago be
tween Julian May, an uncle of the for
mer, and Joseph Cochrane. / have OBJ
tanned history of the affair from an
eye witness. There were three brothers
living here named Cochrane, remarka-
bly, handsome, fine looking men. The
youngest, Joe, who was nineteen years of
age, upbraided Julian May, aged twenty
two, for i'll treating his oldest brother.
The language used by young Cochrane
produced challenge, and the parties
met in Virginia near the Chain Bridge,
on the morning OF February l6, is44.-
Our Informant was present at the re-.
quest of the eldest Mr.. Cochrane, and
rode fine horse of the latter to
the meeting. He reached the spot
about sunrise. Two parties, their
seconds and surgeons were on the
ground. The managers seem TO have
had no experience in The matters, SO this
gentleman had the cause of the meeting
reduced to writing he then had the
challenge suspended in order to open
the way for an apology. Mays second
was Mr.. Pooler,a nephew by marriage
Of Judge Wayne, late of the Supreme
Court Cochrane's was Mr.. Ash. Mr..
Pooler, my informant says, would not
listen to any proposition, nor does it ap.
pear that Mr. Ash was authorized TO
make any. The toss was won by Pool
er, who of course placed his principal
with his back to the rising sun. My
informant noticed a tall "rag weed
few yards iu front of and in line with
Cochrane, aud called to Ash to cut it
down. Ash replied that he would not.
This gentleman said that he would. Ash
replied that Pooler would have a right
to shoot him. The seconds consulted
and decided that the principals had Ia
ken position with the weed standing,
and it must remain, though it did afford
May aid IN making line shot My in
formant then drew bis knife, and Pool
er drew his pistol. He cut it down,
without the latter, however, shooting.
He then asked A.h if he was going to
let Cochrsne fight with his hat on. lie
replied be thought it was best, as it
shaded his eyes from the sun. The word
was given, aud Cochrane tell with bul-
let through the brain.
Just then the cry Of constables was
raised Julian May mounted . horse
and fed, never returning to this section
of the country again. Cochrane was
borne to a farm-h house, where ne died
in few hours, and my informant gal
loping furiously, carried the sad news
10 his two brothers, who were anxious
ly waiting the issue of the meeting.
The horse he rode died when he reach
ed his masters door. The youth Of the
parties, the tragic end OF handsome,
promising young man, the folly of the |
meeting, and the stupidity Of the sec-
onds in permitting it, occasioned much
animadyersion. The grand jury inves.
tigated the case; nothing came Of it by |
way of prosecution, but there came near
being challenge from the foreman Of |
the grand jury to one Of the panel for
words growing out Of the discussion Of
. presentment of all concerned.
The only notice ! ind of the event
in the Madisonian Of that date, John
Tyler's organ, is:
\ dusl was fought this mosuisg ~ith