Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1878-03-21
Some New York Duelists,
PHILADELPHIA Times. I

Philadelphia Times.
1t is a noted fact that the most determined
duel of which have any record was fought
in New York State, and very near the metro
polls of that name. The meeting was be-
tween De Witt Clinton and John Swartwout
in 1902. 1t appears probable that if the dis
pute in which this duel originated had taken
any history-that between Hamilton and
Burr-would have been omitted. Clinton
and Burr had very fierce and truculent DO
litical dispute, which finally became personal.
Before it had fairly come to an issue, John
swartwout became involved in It, taking
Burr's place. He challenged Clinton, who
accepted. On the field Clinton remarked
that he wished he had the principal (Burr)
before him." If his wish had been eratified
there is little doubt that his fatal precision of
shot would have put Burr where he could not
have killed Hamilton three years later. Mr..
SwartwOut insisted that he should have an
apology, and prepared one that he insisted
MIR. Clinton should sign. Mr.. Clinton, of
course. declined. and the parties went to the
field.
Mr.. n. $. Smith, who was Swartwout's
second, says: The gentlemen took positions
and fired without effect. At MIR. Riker's re-
quest, I asked Mr.. Swartwout if he was sat-
lstied. He answering in the negative, the
second shot was fired without effect. Iagain
asked Mr.. Swartwout if he was satisfied.
He replied, ~ am not" and the third shot
was exchanged without injury I then asked
Mr.. Swartwout, care you satisfied, STRIP He
replied, 81 am not. Neither shall I be until
the apology is made which have demanded.
Until then we must proceed then pre-
sented q paper to Mr.. Riker for MIR.
Clnton's signature, containing the apology
demanded, observing that this paper must be
signed or we would proceed. Mr.. Clinton
declared he would sign no paper on the SUBJ
ject; that he had no animosity to Mr.. Swart-
won't, and would willingly shake hands and
agree to meet on the score of former friend
ship. Mr.. Swartwout insisted on the sigma
ture to the apology, and Mr.. Clinton declin-
ing, they stood at their posts and fred a
fourth shot. Mr.. Swartwout was wounded
in the left leg, about five inches below the
knee. Being asked if he was satisfied, Mr..
| Swartwout replied: ''It is useless to
repeat the question; my determination is
fixed, and beg we may proceed" Mr..
Clinton repeated that he had no
animostity against Mr.. Swartwout; was sorry
for what had passed; proposed to advance,
shake hands, and bury the past in oblivion.
During this conversation the surgeon, kneel-
ing at his side, extracted the ball from Mr..
Swartwout's leg. The fifth shot being fred,
Mr.. Swartwout received ball in the left leg
about five inches above the ankle. Still,
however, standing at his post perfectly COM
posed. At the request of Mr.. Riker, I asked:
care you satisfied p He forcibly answered:
''No, Sir am not. Proceed" Mr.. Gin
ton then quit his post, declining the combat,
and declared that he would fire no more.
MIR. Swartwout expressed himself surprised
that MIR. Clinton would neither apologize nor
give the satisfaction required, and, addressing
me, said: "What shall do, my friend p
l answered 'Mr. Clinton declines making
the apology required, refuses taking his
position, and positively declares he will fight
no-more his second appearing to acquiesce
In the disposition of his principal, there is
nothing further for you to do now but to
have your wounds dressed" The surgeons
attending dressed his wounds, and the gen.
tlemen returned to their respective barges to
the city.
One of the most widely known men of any
time is Captain Martin Scott. Martin Scott
was from his earliest days remarkably fine
pistol and rifle shot. While blowing in the
field one day he received letter which en-
closed him his commission. as ensign in the
United States army. He had never applied
for the position, and to the day of his death
never knew how it came to he rendered to
linn. He accepted it, however, and was
soon famous throughout the whole army as
the best shot of his day. Upon the authority
of Col. Il. B. Marcy, United States army, I
will give a sample of this shooting. A play
ing card, with spot about the size of dime,
was tackled upon tree seventy-fve yards
distant. Capt. Scott then took a muzzle
loading squirrel rifle, and proposed to see
how quickly he could load and fire three
times. He began, and in ono minute and
twenty seconds had loaded and fred three
times. OF course this was very quick work,
allowing hardly any time for aiming. The
firing was almost instantaneous. When Col.
Marcy went to examine the target he
found one hole exactly in the centre of
the bulls eye. He remarked, however, that
the other two shots had missed the target
entirely. Capt. Smith smiled, called for an
axe, split the log, and found the three balls
imbedded in the single hole. These shots
were Ill of-hand. Col. Marcy says he has
seen officers who vouched for the truth of
the following, having seen Capt. Scott do it
He would take two potatoes, md throwing
them IN the air successfully, would put .
pistol ball through both Of them, as they
CROSSED in the air, the one going up and one
coming down. I'd E.s=l,: z5sa < EE5ss E
The first duel in which Capt. Scott was
engaged, was under the following circum-
stances: He was stationed on the frontier
ct the military post Of Council Bluffs. The
officers were, the most Of them, fond Of q
social glaas, and addicted to card playing,
and they considered : man who abstained