The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-03-28
SOME NEN YORK DURLs.
The Meeting between De WA Ciinton
and JohH S~aTtwoHG Almost IneF~dihle
MaFkumAnHhip Of Capt. MaFttn srgtt.

@mfhmmuu@hip OF &npts AAnftn rr~t'
IL is "a notable fact that the mos
determined duel of which have any re
cord, says writer IN the PhilAdelphi
Times, was fought IA New York State
and very near the metropolis Of tina
name. The meeting was between DE
Witt Clinton and John Swartwout il
1902. Ii appears probable that II th,
dispute in which this duel originate,
had taken It's natural course the mos
famous duel IN any history-that between
Hamilton aud would have beer
omitted. Clinton and Burr had yer,
fierce and truculent political dispute
which finally became personal. Befor
II had fairly come 10 an issue, JohI
Swartwuut became involved in IL, takin,
Burr's place. He challenged Clinton
who accepted. On the field Clinton re
marked THAT he wished he had ia,
principal (Burr) before him. II hi
wish had been gratitied there is li,tl,
doubt that his fatal precision Of sho
would have put Burr where lie eoul,
not have killed Hamilton three year
later. Mr.. Swartwout insisted that b,
should have an apology, and preparet
one that he insisted Mr.. Clinton shoull
sign. Mr.. Clinton, of course, declined
and the parties went 10 the field.
Mr.. N. s. Smith. who was Swartwout'
second, says The gentlemen took posi-
tions and fired without effect At Mr.
Riker's request, ] asked Mr.. SwartwOu
If he was satisfied He replied =" al
not aud the third shot WAS e1changeC
without injury. then asked Mr.. Swat
won't, " Are you satisfied, sir ?" He re
piled, II am not. Neither shall b,
until the apology is made which hav'
demanded. Until then We must pro
ceed. / then presented a paper Il
Mr.. Riker for Mr.. Cllnt0n's signature
containing the apology demanded, OBJ
serving that this paper must be signel
or We would proceed. Mr.. Clinton de
clared he would sign no paper ON th,
subject that he had no animoslty q
Mr.. SwartWuut, and would willingly
shake hands and agree 20 meet ON the
score Of former friendship. Mr.. SwArt
aout insisted on the signature Of tho
apology, and Mr.. Clinton declining
they stood at their posts and fired 1
fourth shot Mr.. Swartvout was wound
si IN the left leg. about five inches be
low the knee. Being asked II he wAi
satisfied, Mr.. SwaTiwoui replied : "It
Is useless 10 repeat the question ; my
determination is fixed, and / beg w,
may proceed. Mr.. Clinton repcatst
that be had no animosity against Mr.
SWartwout was sorry for what haC
passed proposed 90 advance, shak,
hands, and bury the past IN Oblivion.
During this conversation, the surgeon
kneeling at his side, extracted the hAl
from Mr. Swartwout's leg. The hftl
shot being hred. Mr.. SwArtwout re
ceived ball in the left leg, about tivt
inches above the ankle. Still, however
standing At his post perfectly composed
At the request Of Mr.. Riker, asked
" Are you satisfied ?" He forcibly an
swered : "No. sir | am not. Pro
ceed. Mr.. Clinton then quit his post
declining the combat. and declared b,
would fire no more. Mr.. SWartwout eI
pressed himself surprised that Mr.. Clin
;Dn would neither apologize nor give th'
satisfaction required, aud, addressing
me, said What shall do, m
friend ?" / answered Mr.. Clinton
declines making the apology required
refuses taking his position, and poai
lively declares he viii fight no more
his second appearing n acquiesce in th'
disposition 81 his principal, there i
nothing further for you 10 do now bu
10 have your wounds dressed" Tn,
surgeons attending dressed his wounds
and the gentlemen returned in thel
respective hargcs % the city.
One of the most videly-known men o
any time is Capt Martin Scott. MArtil
Scott WAS. from his earlier days, n re
markably hne pistol and rife shot
While plowing in the field one day he n
ceivei "a letter which enclosed him hi
commission as ensign in the UniteS
States army. He had never applied 70
this position, and 10 the day Of his dealt
never knew how II came % be tendere,
10 him. He accepted it, however, an,
was soon famous throughout the who'll
army as the best shot Of his day. Upol
the authority of Col. II. B. Marcy
United States army. / viii give a sampl,
Of this shooting. A playing card, will
spot about the size Of n dime, wa
tackled upon tree scveuty-five yard
distant Capt. Scott then took n muz
Ele-loRding squirrel rife and propose,
10 see how quickly he could load an,
fire three times He began, and in on,
minute and twenty seconds had loadeS
aud fred three times. OF course thi
was very quick work, allowing hardl,
any time for aiming. The firing wa
almost instantaneous. When Col. Marc,
went 10 examine the target he found on,
hole exactly iu the center Of the bull
eve. He remarked, however, that thu
other two shots had missed the targe
entirely. Capt. Smith snlAed, calleC
for an axe. split the log, and found thu
three balls imbedded in the single hole
These shots were all off-hAnd. Col
Marcy SAYS that he has seen officers whC
vouched for the truth of the following
having seen Capt Scott do il: HI
would take two potatoes, and throwing
them into the air successfully, wuulC
put pistol ball through both OF then
as they crossed in the air, one going NJ
and the other coming down.
The first duel in which Capt. Scott wa
engaged was under the following cir
cumstances He was stationed on th'
frontier, at a military post Of Council
Bluff. The officers were, the most o
them, fond Of social glass, and addict
ed TO card playing, and they considered
a man who abstained entirely from hk,
Indulgences as wanting the prope
spirit. Capt. Scott never drank n glas
OF liquor and never PLAYED game oi
cards. aud while ho was very liberal il
his intercourse with his brother officers
he was exceedingly parsimonious in hi'
own personal expenses. The officer
around him took umbrage at this, anC
gradually withdrew from all intercours'
with him, until he was absolutely pu
into coventry by all save three OF hi
associates in arms. He submitted for
long time 10 the insults and persecu
tions and then held In council Of war Will
his three friends 10 determine what wa
best to be done. They told him tha
only two alternatives were left him-on'
was 10 throw up his commission and th'
other was 20 challenge the first mar
that should insult him. He readil,
chose the latter course, and his determi
nation became known throughout thepos
His skill as a marksman and his un
doubted nerve protected him for goo,
while, no one caring to needlessly risl
an encounter with hun.
At length, however, an officer from
neighboring post, who was celebrated
shot, and bad brought down his man il
about half dozen duels, was sent for
He took the first opportunity TO insul
Capt. Scott. The insult was given a
mess table, and challenge immediately
followed. In telling of the duel after
r. a - L A.