The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1877-03-24

height, and weighed about 100 pounds
He was handsome little gentleman,
and was surrounded by friends. soon
learned that he was one of the two who
were to exchange rifle shots at thirty
steps; that his name was Menafee Ga
| brother Of Dick Menafee, member of
Congress from Kentucky, much noted for
his eloquence), and Vicksburg mer-
chant of high standing The white
suit, | learned, was chosen because it
was thought to be net as easy to draw
bead on white as on a dark color The
bosom of his coat had the appearance of
being padded. He appeared to be lit
| tie nervous, and took little brandy
now and then, possibly to quiet his
nerves or fortify his courage.
In about half an hour two men were
seen coming up the bank of the river.
They proved to be Col. McClurg, law
| yer of Jackson, Miss, and his second.
McClurg had acquired some notoriety as
a duelist, having, as report said, already
killed his fifth man. He was "a Ken
tuckian by birth and education, as also
was his opponent, Menafee. 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 man. He soon after
ward acquired notoriety for bravery dur
ing the war with Mexico. He volun-
teered and led the forlorn hope at the
stOrming of the Bishops Palace at Mon
terey, and, after the war, was sent by
President Taylor as Minister to Brazil.
On his return home from there he died.
| read in a newspaper short time after
ward 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 lived-which has, as we all
know, proved true.
The seconds, after throwing "heads
and tails" awhile for positions, and who
should give the word, ETC., stepped off
the distance, thirty PAGES, placed their
men facing each other, neither of them
speaking to the other. McClurg took
from his pocket large bowieknife and
-pistol-there were no six-shoot-
ers made at that time-and gave them to
his second; ne 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 sec
onds took position halfway between
the duelsts, 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: Cali ready"
He then said: One, two, fire, stopr AT
the word two, Menafee fired. | think
McClurg did not fire, as | heard but one
report, and saw the latter club his gun,
throw it some distance from him, and
say to his second, You didn't cock it
rightn The second probably had neg
lected to set the triggers.
No one being damaged, preparations
went on for another round, and in about
thirty minutes they took their positions
again; the second said as before: Zone,
two, fire, stop" 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.
McClurg, to all appearances, 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." McClurg then said: "Give
me my pistol and bowie.knife, and let
them come onm evidently expecting to
be mobbed by Menafee's friends. | was
told afterward by one who was there
that a brother of Menafee did start to 90
to McClurg, but was stopped by
friend, who told him his brother had be-
come conscious and said he would fight
again as soon as he was able. Poor
fellow, he lived but two days. McClurg
and his friends left the ground immedi-
ately.
McClurg, who had received a beating
with a billiard-cue from Menafee, was
the challenging party; Menafee &C
cepted the challenge. Having the right
to chose the place of meeting and arms
to fight, also the distance, Menafee
choose to fight at his own home, with
rifles, at thirty steps. 1t was said that
he had practiced with his rifle until he
could hit silver dollar at every shot.
He did not shoot in the second encount-
er, and, very luckily, in his fall his gun
was not discharged. Had it been, I'M
doubtedly some of the spectators would
have been wounded or killed, as there
YVES wall of men several tiers deep on
each side, and only few feet from the
direct line of the bullets passage, and
what few trees there were close around
were also full of spectators. The Sheriff
OF the county was present, but did not
make any attempt to prevent the duel
from taking place. He was, however,
prompt in doing his duty to prevent
liquor being sold on the ground unlaw-
fully. A man who had brought over the
river quantity for sale was prevented
from selling it, unless he would pay to
the Sheriff fifty dollars, that being the
price for a license. This was the first
and last duel | ever witnessed ! could
scarcel y realize that what saw was a
reality | was disguised a; the sight,
and resolved that | never would see an
other.-Cor. Chicago Tribune.