The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1877-11-14
A TERRIBLE ENCOUNTER.
The Political Meeting that Ended In Horrt.
fying Combat Between an ex.Unitod
States Minister and n Mail Agent. '.''

The Political Me etins that Ended In a Horri.
fyinr Combat Between an ex-Unitcd
states Minister and n Mail Agent. '.'
A writer in q Western paper, giving
some "reminiscences Of Cassius NJ. Clay,
once United States Minister to Russia,
tells the following story Of an appalling
incident in his career Mr.. Clay's duel
with Robert Wickiffe, Jr., grew out OF
some remarks made by the latter in q
public speech when they were running
for the Legislature IN Fayette county, Ky.
They fought on Mr.. Clay's challenge,
near Louisville, May Is, 1S41, shots be-
ing exchanged without effect, owing, MIR.
Clay has always held fsince both were
dead shots), to the inferior quality OF the
powder employed. His seconds. one OF
whom was Albert Sidney Johnston, re-
fused to countenanoe Olay's demand for
another fire, and the duel ended thus,
but without reconciliation, Three
years later, when Garrett Davis was run
ming (in the Wing interest) against
,Wickliffe for Congress, Mr.. Clay warmly
opposed Wicklihe, and followed him
through the canvass, making habit OF
publicly contradicting Wicklife when he
spoke. Wicklihe declared that he did
not notice these interruptions because he
thought Clay wanted to fasten another
Quarrel on him. Clay declares that
Wicklife's friends conspired to provoke
him into q brawl at Russell q Cave, where
q political meeting was to be held, Au-
gust /, 1874, q mail agent, Samuel NJ.
Brown, being summoned to Kentucky 70
do the work. B" The meeting was held ;
Wicklife spoke, and Clay interrupted
his statement with a denial, pulling g
paper from his pocket and announcing
that he was prepared to prove his words.
Brown then called him q liar and sIuck
ct him with an umbrella, Clay retoring
with the butt-end of his whip. Suspect
ing concerted attack. Mr." Clay at
tempted to draw his; knife, but was
seized and dragged q distance Of fifteen
feet. Releasing himself he heard Brown
cry out, "Clear the way" and line was
immediately opened between them,
Brown with a cooked pistol in his hand
taking deliberate aim at him. CLAY ad-
vanced upon him with his knife. Brown
waited until they were.within four feet
of each other, and fred. The bullet
struck the silver mounting on the scab-
bard of Clay's knife, directly over his
heart. He was staggered by the shot,
but reached Brown, and dealt him ter
rible blow directly on the top of'ihis
head, laying the skull open and exposing
the brain. The friends of Brown again
seized Clay, and caught his arms Just
above the elbows, which interfered With
his handling his weapon, but in spite OF
it he continued hacking away at Browns
head and face, inficting horrible injuries.
he cut out one Of his eyes, split his nose,
cut off an ear and sliced his face in q
dozen places, 80 disfguring him that bis
most intimate friends subsequently failed
to recognize him. CLAY himself was
struck with chairs, canes and fists by
outsiders to make him ,desist, but with
out effect, owing to his prodigious
strength, until finally il was found
necessary to throw Brown over an adioin-
ing fence to prevent his being killed out
right. The last blow Clay aimed at him
struck the top Of the fence, and the
mark remained. there for many q year:
When the combat was over Clay raised
his bloody knife aloft and cried out: II
reiterate my statement, and defy any one
in this crowd to dispute it." No one,
however, CARED to challenge the accuracy
of his information under the, ciroum-
stances. For the offense of mayhem
Mr.. Clay Was subsequently, put on bis
trial, but Browns evidence Was 30
straightforward and truthful that it &C
Quilted him. Mr.. Clay, impressed with
his adversary's manliness, sought re-
conciliation, = 1t Brown rejected all his
overtures. In October, 1845, Brown
was killed in q fearful steamboat ex-
plosion his son afterwards. was an
officer under Clay in the Mexican war
and his warm friend. -... ~ ,..'.. =. =. d.