The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-02-21
FAMOUS SOUTHERN DURLs.
Fi@hIiaE on Iisrsebasa -PrsBti-s ana Toe
Marshall a PeTsenat HrmtBlsrrRce,


FishIiaE on Hsr.rbaeA- -PrsHti-. ana Tsm
Marshall a PeTsonat HemtuiscrRee.
Over the signature Of B. some one
sends the following letter 20 the New
York Sun The S,nt has recently pub
lished some interesting "reminiscences OF
noted duels in the South, but the record
is by NO means exhausted A long resi-
dence ia the South and West has made
me familiar with the history of many of
these encounters. One Of the most sing
ular, which happened at New Orleans,
was fought between IA gentleman recent
~ before the public, IN "a suit 30 main
tain or recover his commission and
emolumonts in the United States army,
Capt Schomberg, and Mr.. Chevalier.
The combat took place at the race track
near New Orleans, on horseback, with
sabres. Schemberg's horse, fine am.
NAL, was killed. and, | believe, suit was
brought by the owner 10 recover dam
ages. No other harm was done.
The duel between the great orator,
Sergeant ). Prentiss, OF Mississippi, aud
eN-Guv. Henry ). Foote, occurred near
Nickshurg. A large crowd was present,
and after one OI two harmless shots had
been exchanged, Prentiss, with his in
imltable good humoT, called out 10 some
who were perched on a tree
near by, Take care, boys; the gov.
ernor Is firing very Wild to-day" Foote
WAS finally wounded Prentiss was one
Of the coolest aud bravest, as well as
the most magnanimous men / ever met.
lie was one Of the counsel for the de-
Tense IN the celebrated Wilkinson and
Murdaugh trial for munier in kentucky.
The case was removed 81 Harrodsburg
Oh account Of the prejudice against the
accused at Louisville, where the killing
occurred. When Prentiss arrived al the
Calf House ON his way 30 the court,
some one warned him ni the bitter feel
ing existing against his clients, remark
ing nj the same time. They will be
hunting you, Mr. Prentiss, II they find
ont you are ia the city. "Ah 60 said
lac, reaching over the counter for his
travelling bag and taking out a pair of
pistols, which he placed in his pockets.
" Well, ] am i hunter myself when there
Is game aruuud No one molested him.
however
The celebrated Thomas r. Marshall.
M Kentucky, fought several dueis; that
with Col. James Watson Webb ~ famil-
lar 20 mus.i northern readers. Tom once
told the winter that If Webb hal not
stood cr,Ps-legged and disc0nceriei his
aim. he would have killed him: that he
had meant 10 have another fight with
him. bnt the colonel. unfortunately.
took the pledge 80 Gov. Seward. An
other oi Toms ,luels was with John
Rowan. Of Kentucky. a crack shot, but
one of the most amiabie and gentlemanly
OF the old fire eaters. Tom received
. bullet IL the leg. and. A. Rowan. who
iih not wish 90 all him, walked mp 10
express his regret. Marahall. lying ON
the ground, exclaimed: =" Mr. Rowan,
Won shoot fellow and then apologize
Tor il with more grace than any man in
Kentucky"
With one OF these Kentucky Affairs,
which occurred in 1876. WAS unfor-
Connected, and the course IL
took may illustrate the state Of feeling
un the subject at that time. The princi-
pals wen, DIR. T uf Harrolsburg,
and Counselor H, brothers in-lAW.
The cause Of offence was family affair.
/ resi- led IN Lexington at the time, and
Was induced 10 interfere. in the Interest
OF ps,ce. on behalf Of DIR. T., who was
a ~ ranger 10 me. After several DAYS
dis sussion on the part Of the doctor s
fn ends. aud canvassing as well as
c iuld the views Of the other party,
found an amicable adjustment impossi-
bic. and having gone ID far, there was
nothing lef; for me but 20 carry chAl-
lcnge. The elder brother 81 the doctor,
himself an emiuent lawyer, the brother
in-law Of the latter, and even the vener-
able mother-the last two sirict men,
bcrs Of the church-were consulted by
me, but the feeling among them all was
that their relative had been grossly in
suited, and must vindicate his honor in
the usual manner The meeting was
appointed 10 take place nc retired spot
IN Boyle county, but was prevented by
tho authorities. and | remember well we
had scamper 20 get beyond their iuris.
dictiun and avoid arrest.
In the meantime / received 4 request
from a reverend gentleman, whose death
/ saw noticed last year, 90 withdraw the
challenge for an accommodation which
he hoped 10 bring about / gladly agreed
n comply provided the opposite party
consented 20 che Arrangement without
prejudice 20 my friend; but the over.
ture was plumply rejected by them.
The meeting took place the next morn
ing at a wild. romantic apot on Dicks
river. The law officers were on the hill
above us. but an old boatman and his
sons, whom we were compelled TO take
into our confidence. and vino had the
kentuckians instructive love Of fair
fight" kept them at bay. The weapons
were the old-fashioned duelling pistols,
those used by the opposite party being
a pair belonging 20 Henry Clay. Coun-
selor H. fell. mortally wounded. 3; the
first fire, aud, as there was but one boat
to cross the river. the constables wait
ing for us ON the side we occupied, and
OILY kept back by wholesome fear Of
our friends, the boatmen. we were COM
PEELED 10 wait until the wounded man
had been transported across. never
saw a man suffer more mental agony
than the doctor did during the time,
having been informed Of the result He
had not wished 90 kill his opponent,
only TO infict a wound such As might
end the affair. We both left the State,
going in different directions, he to Mis-
sour aud 10 Louisiana.
From what | subsequently, learned of
his history. this affair wrought the most
singular change in the character of DIR.
r. Prior to the fight | had found
him amiable. inofieusive, and averse to
bloodshed, though truly brave: but
afterward heard that he was frequent
ly engaged in desperate encounters, in
one Of which, ! believe, he was killed.
This duel created considerable excite
ment OF the time, and the Louisville
Journal having published an accoun,
derogatory to DIR. T. Mr.. Geo. ID.
Prentice, the editor, was called ON to
correct IL, which he did.