Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1878-04-04
FAMOUS SOUTHERN DUELS.
FIGHTING ON HoRSEBACk-PRENIi
AND TosI. MARsHAIL-A personal
REMINIsC CENCE.


The Sun has recently published
some interesting reminiscence OF
noted duels in the South, but the
record is by no means exhausted.
Far it be from me to say that any OF
them are apocryphal. although the ac-
count of the young Mississippian,
contained in last Sundays edition,
bears singular resemblance to the
affair related of an English officer
with Il noted Bonapartist bravo, which
is said to have occurred al Cafe Foy
during the occupation of Paris by the
allies in 1814-l5. A long residence
in the South and Wesf has made me
familiar with the history Of many of
these encounters. One of the most
singular, which happened at New
Orleans, was fought between a gen
tleman recently before the public in
Il suit to maintain or recover his COM
mission and emoluments in the Unit
ed States Army, Captain Schemberg,
and Mr.. Chevalicr. The combat
took place at the race track near
New Orleans, on horseback, with
sahrcs. SchemberS's horse, IL fine
animal, was killed, and | believe suit
WAS brought by his owner to recover
damages. No other harm was done.
The duel between the great orator,
Sergcat S. Prcntiss, OF Mississippi,
and ex-Gov. Henry 5. Foote, occur
red near Nicllsburg. \ large crowd
was present, and after one or two
harmless shots had been exchanged,
! Prenliss. with his inimitablc humOr.
! called out To some Youngsters who
were pcrched in a tree near by,
Take care, boys; the Governor is
firing very wild to-day" Foote was
fin: lily wounded.
Prentiss was one of the coolest
and hravtst, as We'll as the most mag
nanimOus men | ever met. lie was
| one Of the counsel for the defence in
! the celebrated Wilkinson and Nur-
! daugh trial for murder in Kentucky.
/ The case was removed to Harrois-
burg, on account Of the prejudice
aginst the accused at Louisville,
where the killing occurred. When
! Prentiss arrived at the Gait House on
his way to the court, some one warn
ed him of the hitter feeling against
his clients, remarking at the same
time: They will he hunting you
Air. PrentisS, if they lind out Won are
| in the city" "Ah :" said he, reach
ing over the counter for his travelling
bag, and taking ont pair Of pistols
which he placed in his pockets.
/ 'Ncll, ! am Il hunter myself when
game is around" No one molestea
him, however.
The celebrated Thomas +. Mar
shall, OF Kentucky, fought several
dut!s; that with Col. James Watson
Webb is familiar to most Northern
readers. Tom once told the writer
that If Webb had not stood cross-leg.
gcd md liscountered his aim hc would
have killed him that he had meant
to have another fight with him, but
tho Colonel unfortunately took the
3lcdgc to Coy. Seward. Another of
Tom = duels was with John Rowan.
nr kentucky, Il crack shot, hut one
of the most amiahle AMI gentleinanly
ofthc Old "lire catecs.' Tom receiv-
ed bullet in the leg, and as Rowan.
who did not wish TO kill him, walked
mp to express his regret, Marshall,
living on the ground, exclaimed, .tBy
-. Mr.. Rowan, YOU shoot a
fellow and apologize for it with more
grace than any man in kentueky.''s
With one ofthese Kentucky affairs,
which occurred in I945, was unfor
tunately connected, and AZ the course
1t took may illustrate the state of
feeling ON the subject at the time.
The principals were DIR. Z, oil
Harrodsburs, aud Counsellor III
hroihcr-i -in-law. The cause of nflanse
was ial..ily affair. | resided in
Lexington at The time, AMI was. in-
duced to interfere, in the interest OF
peace, on behalfOf Dir. T., who was
a stranger To me. After several aays' |
discussion on the part of the Doctors
friends, ana cahvassing as could ,h,
views "f the other party, | found an
am'c''hle adjustment impossible, and
gone So Tar, there was nothing left
for Inc but 10 carry challenge. The
elder brother of the doctor, himself an
eminent lawyer, the hrother-in-law of
the latter, and even the yen.rahl,. |
mGther-the last two strict members
of the church--were consulted by me.
but the feeling among them all was
their relative had been grossly insult
ed and must vindicate his honor in
the usual manner. The was appoint-
ted to take place at retired spot in
Boyle county, hut was prevented by
authorities, end remember well we
had scamper to get beyond their
jurisdiction and avoid arrest.
In the meantime / received a r..
quest from a reverend gentleman.
whose death l saw noticed last wear.
to withdraw the challenge for an ac.
'eommodation which he hoped to
brsnr about. / pfaflIv Abroad q, -