Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-03-01
THE CODE IN 's6.

ACCOUNT OA " FAMOUS WuNN DfNWeFu
Two OUtheTners-FOuRht In the
Presence Of Three ThOusand spec.
tntOrH- DfslhncR Thirty races (;
Weapons, Hhtr.Trigger Rines-An
Eye witness Relaten How Colonel
ncCInng Killed Young Henaiee.
Special Correspondence Chicago Tribune.l
BLOOMINGTON, ILL, Feb. PA
few days ago there appeared in the
columns Of the Tribune an article
relating the history of I" Fighting
Fitzgerald, Of Ireland, his bullet
proof shirt, and his last duel,Y the
reading of which recalled to my
mind a story of a duel related by
Mr.. N. N. Jones, of Normal, a well
known stock raiser and farmer, the
early part of whose career was spent
chiefly in the South, and whose ad
venturous disposition led him into
witnessing many of the stirring
scenes. At my request Mr.. Jones
again told the story Of one of the
most noted duels of the century,
His narration was as follows.
During the winter of 1886 / was
stopping in Vicksburg, Mississippi,
Early one morning a report was
circulated through the town that a
duel was to b asiought on the other
side of the river, which is in the
State of Louisiana, and in which
vicinity, at that time, no one lived
Following the example Of others, ]
obtained a passage in a small row
boat, and went over. The boatmen
did a lively business that day. Some
persons estimated the number OF
men and boys that were present,
and who witnessed the duel, as high
as three thousand. On landing
joined a group Of persons, among
whom was one dressed in a white
suit, cut in military style. He was
apparently about twenty-five years
Of age, was about five feet in hight
and weight about one hundred
pounds. He was a handsome little
gentleman, and was surrounded by
friends. ] soon learned that lie wat
one of the two who were to ex,
change rihe-shots at thirty steps
| that his name was Menafee, "a
brother Of Dick Menafee, a mem
Der of congress from Kentucky
much noted for his eloquence, anC
la Vicksburg merchant of higll
standing. The wlite suit, ! learned
was chosen because it was thought
to be not as easy to draw bead OF
white as on dark color. The bo
som of his coat had the appearance
of being padded, lie appeared tc
be a little nervous, and took a littlt
brandy now and then, possibly L
quiet bis nerves or fortify his cour
age.
sin about a half hour two meI
were seen coming up the bank o
the river. They proved to be Col
McOlung, a lawyer of Jackson
Miss, and his second. McClunG
had acquired some notoriety as |
duelist, having, as report said, al
ready killed his fifth man. He wa
a Kentuekian by birth and educa
ton, as also was his opponent
Menaiee. lie was about ten year
older than the latter, and in appear
ance he very much resemblet
Abraham Lincoln, though he wa
not quite as large man. He sool
afterward acquired notoriety TO
bravery during the war with Mex
leo. lie volunteered and led tn,
forlorn hope at the storming Of tb!
Bishops Palace Gt Monterey, anC
after the war was sent by Presi
dent Taylor as Minister 10 Brazil
On his return home from there h
died.
"The seconds, after throwini
heads and tails awhile for posi-
tions, and who should give TIL
word, etc, stepped of the distanc
thirty yards-placed their me-
facing each other, neither Of then
speaking to the other MoOlunI
took from his pocket q large bowie
knife and a horse pistol-ther
| we're no six-shooters made at tha
time--and gave them to his second
he then unbuttoned his vest an,
: shirt, and showed to his opponen
MIA ..... H.. l.. =.