The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1878-05-30
A TYPICAL HOSTILE MEETING.


straight from Crittenden's blue eyes
through his heart.
A TYPICAL HOSTILE MEETING.
An exception to this rule was fur
nished in the famous Graves Cilley duel.
which take to be the typical duel. 1t
contains more of the elements of the fine
folly Of chivalry than any affair on rec
ord. In it we see the splendid courage,
the naughty reserve, the impetuous
anger, the ridiculous hair-splitting, the
tense adherence to certain form OF
speech, and the discarding of all equity,
the disregard of con1radeship, the con-
tempt of all compromise. Cilley's cpl
taph should have been: "Killed
through technicality."
We all remember that Watson Webb
was about to challenge Congressman
Cilley for supposed allusion Cilley had
made to him in debate. Congressman
Graves carried Editor Webb's note. Gil
ley declined to receive it. Then Graves
wrote Ci]ley note in which he asked
him to state in writing whether he had
not said that, in refusing to accept
Webb's note, he meant NO disre-
spect to me; that you could not consent
to get into difficulties with conductors of
public journals for what you might say
in debate, and that your objections to re-
ceiving Webb's note were not because of
any personal objection to him as a gen.
tleman." It appears that Mr.. Cilley
had taken the grounds detailed in
Graves note. But he declined to put
them in writing. His reply was that, 81
declined to receive Col. Webb's note
because I did not care to be drawn into
controversy with him. I neither af-
firmed or denied anything concerning
his character as gentleman, but I did
say that I intended by the refusal no
disrespect to you" Graves, upon re-
ceipt of this, wrote note demanding
that Cilley disclaim any exception to
Webb as a gentleman, saying in terms:
II inquire whether you decline to re-
ceive his communication on the ground
of any personal objection to him as a
gentleman or man of honor. I shall
expect categorical answer" Cilley re-
piled: 81 regret that my note of yes
terday was unsatisfactory to you; but I
cannot admit your right to PROFOUND the
question to which you demand categor-
teal answer, and I, therefore, decline
any further response toit." Graves then
responded, saying: "As you refused to
receive note which I bore you from
Col. Webb, and have refused to decline
on ground which would exonerate me
from all responsibility in the affair, I ann
bound to ask that satisfaction" etc. On
this provocation the parties met. After
the first fire a reconciliation was at
tempted. After consultation Cilley
authorized to say: "That he meant
no disrespect to Mr.. Graves in declin-
ing to receive Col. Webb's note; he
entertained for him then, and does now,
the highest respect and kindest feelings;
that he declined to receive Webb's note
because he chose not to be drawn into
controversy with him." He refused to
disclaim any disrespect for Col. Webb,
because ''he did not choose to be drawn
into an expression of opinion concerning
him." At that shots were again ex-
changed. Cilley's second then claimed
that the matter should be closed here.
He claimed that his friend had demon
strated his courage; that he had ex-
pressed respect for Mr.. Graves, and that
the quarrel should end. Mr.. Wise
Graves second) replied that Mr.. Cilley
had already in the written correspond
ence disclaimed disrespectto Mr.. Graves,
but that he (Graves) felt bound to pro-
tect the honor of his friend (Col. Webb).
Mr.. Cilley was requested to say that he
did not mean to reflect on Webb's char
acter in declining his note. He replied,
in terms, "that he declined to receive
Col. Webb's note because he did not
choose to be drawn into controversy
with him." The parties then took posi-
ton for the third shot. They were
fighting with rifles, eighty yards apart.
At the fire Cilley fell and expired in g
! few moments. IS .....
A curious story is told Of this duel as
follows: Webb, enraged and humiliat-
ed beyond expression at Cilley's refusal
to fight him, determined 10 force fight.
On the morning that Graves and Cilley
were to fight, he went with three friends
to Cilley's room for the purpose of fight
ing him with pistols on tho spot, 81
forcing him to promise Webb a meeting,
Finding Cilley absent, they supposed
he had gone to Bladensburg, the usua,
dueling ground. They hurried hither
Their programme was that, upon reach
ing the ground, Webb should approach
Cilley and demand the quarrel, anG
should give Cilley notice that, if he
pointed his rifle at Graves, he webb
would shoot him on the spot. IT Cilley
refused, Webb was to cover him with
his pistol and shoot him the instant ht
raised his rifle toward Graves. Of course
at this, or before this, Webb and his
friends would be attacked by Graves
and his second, who would be bound tx
protect Cilley. In this event they were
to take care of themselves as best they
could. If the duel had been appointed
at Bladensburg it is probable that ter
rible butchery would have followed.
aa The Nez Perces.
Chief Joseph and his tribe of Ne,