The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1877-03-23
THE CODE In '36.
Account OF a Famous Duel Between Two
Southerners, Fought I'm the Presence of
5000 Spectators.

Mr.. N. N. Jones, of Normal, Ill.,,
well-known stock raiser and farmer, the
early part of whose career was spen
chiefly in the South, and whose adven
turous disposition led him into witness
ing many stirring scenes, tells this story
of one of the most noted duels of the
century:
"Dnring the winter of 1886 / was
stopping ia Vicksburg, Miss. Early
one morning n report was circulated
through the town that a duel was to be
fought 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,
l obtained passage in small row-boat
and went over. The boatsmen 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 5000 On landing
1 joined a group of persons, among
whom was one dressed in white suit,
cut in military style. He was apparent
ly about % years of age, was about five
feet in height, and weighed about 100
pounds. He was handsome little gen.
tleman, and was surrounded by friends.
| soon learned that he was one of the
two who were to exchange rife-shots at
thirty steps that his name was Menafee
| ca brother of Dick Menafee, member
of Congress from Kentucky, much noted
for his eloquence), and a Vicksburg
merchant OF high standing. The white
suit, L learned, was chosen because it
was thought to be not as easy to draw a
bead on white as on a dark color. The
bosom of his coat had the appearance of
being padded. He appeared to be q
little nervous, and took little brandy
now and then, possibly to quiet his
nerves or fortify his courage.
:" In about half-hour two men were
seen coming up the bank of the river.
They proved to be Col. Alexander X.
McClung, lawyer of Jackson, Miss,
and his second. McClung had acquired
some notoriety as n duelist, having, as
report said, already killed his fifth man.
He was a Kentuckian by birth and edrl-
cation, as also was his opponent, Mena-
fee. He was about ten years older than
the latter, and in appearance he very
much resembled Abraham Lincoln,
though he was not quite as large n man.
He soon afterwards acquired notoriety
for bravery during the war with Mexico.
He volunteered and led the forlorn hope
at the storming of the Bishops Palace at
Monterey, and after the war was sent by
President Taylor as Minister to Brazil.
On his return home from there he died
| read in newspaper n short time after
wards that he said before he died that
he had but one desire to live to satisfy,
and that was TO fight duel with JEFF
Davis. He said that he had challenged
him twice already that he was bad
man, and would bring trouble on this
country some day if he Gved-which has,
as we all know, proved true.
"The seconds, after throwing heads
and tails awhile for positions, and who
the distance-thirty yards-placed their
men facing each other, neither of them
speaking to the other. McClung took
from his pocket large bowie-knife and
q horse -pistol-there were no six-shoot-
ers made at that time-and gave them to
his second he then unbuttoned his vest
and shirt, and showed to his opponent
that there was nothing to prevent his
bullet from an entrance to his heart.
Menafee did not follow his example.
The rifles were now handed to the prin-
cipals by their seconds. One of the
seconds took position halfway be-
tween the duelists, and about twelve
feet out of the direct line in which the
deadly balls were expected to pass. He
then said Gentlemen, are you ready?'
Each one answered and said, All
ready He then said, 'One, two, fire,
stopi' At the word two Menafee
fired. 1 think McClung did not fire, as
/ heard but one report, and saw the lat
ter club his gun, throw it some distance
| from him, and say to his second, Damn
you, you didn't cock it right The
second probably had neglected to set the
triggers.
"No one being damaged, preparation
went on for another round, and in about
thirty minutes they took their positions
again the second said as before, 'One,
two, fire, stopp At the word two,
Menafee, after the report, reeled part
way round and fell, being wounded in
! the head. Hundreds immediately sur
rounded the PROSTATE man.
McClung to all appearance was per-
fectly cool. / went to where he was
standing, in about five minutes. His
second came running from where Mena-
fee lay and said to him, You have killed
him 7 McClung then said, Give me
my pistol and bowie-knife, and damn
them, let them come on = evidently ex-
pecting to he mobbed by Menafee's
friends. 1 was told afterward by one
who was there that brother of Mena-
fees did start to go TO McClung, but was
stopped by friend, who told him his
brother had become conscious and said
he would fight again as soon as he was
able. Poor fellow, he lived but two
days. McClung and his friend left the
ground Immediately.
McClung, who had received beat
ing with n billiard cue from Menafee,
was the challenging party, Menafee ac-
cepting the challenge. Having the right
to choose the place of meeting and arms
to fight, also the distance, Menafee chose
To fight mt his own home, with rifles, at
thirty steps. 1t was said that he had
practiced with his rifle until he could hit
a silver dollar at every shot. He did not
shoot in the second encounter, and, very