The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1878-11-15

young man, only twenty-five years
, old; d;sent by the hands of his second,
Mr.. Robert johnson, OF Kentucky,
a peremptory challenge to Prentiss
The friends of Mr.. Prentiss, Balie
Peyton, then United States district
attorney, and the late Alex. G.
Bullilt, editor of the Picdyune, ad.
vised him to decline the challenge,
on the ground that he was not re-
sponsible for language used profes-
Sionally, and that Mr.. Jas. Irwin on
ly had the right to demand satlsfac.
ton, which was done to save young
Irwin, as they felt the duel would
prove fatal to him. But Prentiss
said the challenge stated that
young Irwin's father was unable to
attend to such matters, and if he
declined it would only lead to n
street fight. That he admired the
spirit of the gallant boy, and ap-
preciated his noble feelings, and
there being no alternative he was
compelled to give him satisfaction.
The challenge was consequently
accepted, and time given to Mr..
Prentiss to arrange his affairs. In
the meanwhile, Gen. Huston was
called in consultation. He advised
that if il was possible to effect a
reconciliation, it should be done, as
the result in any alternative would
prove fatally disastrous to the fam.
lilies of both parties, the aunt Of
young Irwin being the wife of JOhu
Bell, OF Tennessee, who was the
great trienna of Prentiss. General
Huston suggested that B. G. Har-
ney and &. f. Noise be selected to
act as umpires, and accompany the
parties to the grounds. The prin-
cipals and seconds met at Pass
Christian in February, 1S4S. The
weapons chosen were pistols, at ten
PAGES. 1t was then proposed to
Mr.. Irwin's seconds that Harney
and Noise be called in as umpres
before the principals were placed,
which was finally agreed to, sub
ject to be accepted or rejected.
After consultation, Harvey and
Noise drew up the following:
"The difficulty between Mr.. Ir
win and Mr.. Prentiss having been
referred to us by their respective
friends, we are Of the opinion that
Mr.. Preutiss travelled out of the re
cord in the use OF the offensive ex-
preston complained of, which it is,
the duty of Mr.. Preutiss
cheerfully, frankly aud fully to re-
tract"
This was accepted by the friends
Of the combatants, and PrentisS
accordingly, with his characteristic
cordial and magnanimous feelings,
made the amende honorable, to the
great JOY of the friends and tami-
lies of both parties. For several
days, however, telegraphic rumorS
iilled the country that a hostile
meeting had taken place, and that
Prentiss was killed. Mr.. Clay after.
ward wrote PrentiSS letter of
hanks and gratitude for his noble
conduct.
The sequel to this happy recon,
;iiation finally ended in "a terrible
ragedy. Young Irwin being of
sensitive, higltOned nature, could
lot easily bauish from his mind the
tain that he conceived had been
lxed npon his fathers honor. Not
the fullest retraction
hat PrentSs had made, with eX-
'ressions of the deepest regret,
nd besides writing "A note to Robt.
ohnson honoring and approaching
he gallantry of young Irwin, and
gain making the most generous
oncession, yOung Irwin wrthed
nder the sting OF condemnation
ihich he felt public opinion had ,
rOnOunced against his father. In
ain he struggled to free himself
rom this hideous phantom which
aunted day and night. Resortiug
, diSSi patton to drive its memories, {
e INDUCED to excess, aud in his ,
elirium after being up all night, ,
g retired to his room at the st. i
harles hotel, about 4 o'clock in the
corning, when soon after u pistol
not was heard, and the proud spir- f,
Of young Henry Clay Irwin was {
,und TO have taken its flight to t
DOther world. j