Chariton courier. (Keytesville, Chariton County, Mo.) 1878-current, 1878-10-26

| anU appropriate comparison, Rentle-
men, would be to associate the name OF
James irwin with that of the stealthy.
iight-fingered pickpocket, who robs you
while not knowing that you
are robbed" The effect was blasting
and painfully withering, and which no
effort of the genius and eloquence OF
Randall Hunt could obliterate. Prem
tiss had skinned the alligator!
The result was, that young Henry
Clay Irwin, the oldest son of Mr.. Irwin,
high=toned and spirited young man,
only ~ years old, sent by the hands of
his second, Mt Robett Johnson, of
Kentucky, peremptory challenge to
Prentiss. The friends of Mr.. Prentiss,
Balie Peyton, then United States Dis
trict-Attorney, and the late Alex. C..
Bullitt, editor of the Ptcayune, advised
him to decliiie the challenge on the
ground that he was not responsible for
language used professionally, and that
Mr.. James Irwin only had the right to
demand satisfaction, which was done to
save young irwin, as they felt the duel
would prove fatal to him. But Prem
tiss 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 street fight. That he ad-
mired the spirit of the gallant boy, and
appreciated his noble feelings, and
there being no alternative he was COM
PEELED to give him satisfaction. The
challenge was consequently accepted,
and time given to Mr.: Prentiss to ar
range his affairs. In the meanwhile,
Gen. Huston was called in consultation.
He advised that if it was possible to eff
feet reconciliation, it should be done,
as the result in any alternative would
prove disastrous to the families of both
parties, the aunt of young Irwin being
the wife of John Bell, of Ten
nessee, who was the great
friend of Prentiss. General Hus-
ton suggested that d. G.. Harney
and G: F. Noise be selected to act as
tmtires, and accompany the parties to
the grotnds. The principals and sec
onds met at Pass Christian in Februafy,
184S. The weapons chosen were pis-
tolls, at 10 PAGES. 1t was then proposed
to Mr. Irwin's seconds that Harney and
Noise be called in as umpires before The
principals were placed, which was final
ly agreed to, subject to be accepted or
rejected. Eftcr consultation, Harney
dlu nlOiso uIcW up tuc lOiiOWLug
The difficulty between Mr.. Irwin and Mr..
Prentiss having been referred to us by their
respective friends, we are Of the opinion
that Mr.. Prentiss travelled out of the record
in the use of the offensive expression COM
planned of, which it is therefore the duty of
Mr.. Prentiss cheerfully, frankly and fully to
retract.
This was accepted by the friends OF
the combatants, and PreEtiss according
ly, with his characteristic, cordial and
magnanimousfeeling made the amende
honorable to the great joy of the friends
and families of both parties. For sew
eral days, however, telegraphic rumors
filed the country that hostile meeting
had taken place; and that Prentiss was
killed: Mi. Clay afterward wrote Prem
tiss letter of thanks and gratitude for
his noble conduct.
The sequal to this happy reconcilia-
ton finally ended in q terrible tragedy.
Young Irwin being of sensitive, high
toned nature, could not easily banish
from his mind the stain that he con-
ceived had been fixed upon his fathers
honor. Notwithstanding the fullest re-
traction that Prentiss had made, and
besides writing a note to Robert John
son honoring and approaching the gal.
lantry of young Irwin, and again max
ing the most generous concessions,
Young Irwin writhed under the sting OF
condemnation which he felt public opin-
ion had pronounced against his father.
In vain he struggled to free himself
from this hideous phantom which
haunted him day and night. Resorting
to dissipation to drive away its memo.
ries, he indulged to excess, and in his
delirium, after being up all night, he re-
tired to his room at the st. Charles
Hotel, about 4 o'clock in the morning,
when soon aftera pistol shot was heard,
and the proud spirit of young Henry
Clay Irwin was found to have taken its
flight to another world.-Sma. C. Reid,
IN Louisville Courier journal.