The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1879-04-24

command, rang out clear and sharp, bu
each man stood erect untouched, yet un
compromising. The next round, howcv
er, ended the fight, for Mitchell fell dea,
upon the ground. This WAS in 1921
Gus kenian, of NIilledgcville, and tn
elder Augustus S. Clayton shortly after
ward exchanged two bloodicss shots n
the same place.
FOT FIVE SECONDS
1t was about this time, or shortl,
thereafter, ihat Gcncarl Blair, of Cam
den, noted character of Carolina, large
tall manly and brave. having demandct
satisfaction Of Mr.. Tom Evans, also O
Camden, wounded the latter in the shoul
der. The parties met this time very nea
the ferry, aud Evans fired immedatel,
at the word. Blair took fine aim, n,
two" three" -four" Five" were SCUM
ded, fred accurately, hitting Eyans, who
had missed him, in the arm. While the
latter was down and bleeding, General
Blair approached him unG said he was
glad that the wound WAS no worse, and
Evans, after thanking the General, stated
that he was glad to have been able to
give him satisfaction. Evans ultimately
recovered, and used to say that while
standing with his own empty pistol in
hand. waiting to receive his assailant's
ball, the count seemed to last five years
instead Of five seconds.
REGRET AND REMORSE.
II was not long after this that Hamil-
ton Wigfall, of Edgefield, was killed by
Cogdcll, Of Charleston. The fight is said
to have resulted from college quarrel ;
rifles were used to settle tho matter at
Cambcllton, and Wigfall received his
death wound at first fire. Both were
young men, and the affair was dccply re.
GREETED by all, and by no one moro deem
ly than Cogdell himself. 1t was often
the case as in this one, that the surviving
principal of q fatal duel was rcgrctful
1t sometimes happened though, that his
remOrse was temporary. Recognizing tho
fact that their adversarics had enjoyed
equal opportunities, tlcmatter, disturbing
them at first, did rot continue with mucii
depth or intensity. a veteran observer
of ducls remarked to the writer :ne 9TH
er day that the successful uuelist would
III some instances, be SO perturbcd as to
be unable to enjoy the reception which
their friends might give them at the con
clusion of the fight. A case was rccol-
lectcd in which the haggard face of
dead enemy's widow haunted the other
party ever after. The recollection of the
fight had ceased to be of much moment
until he chanced to meet the lonely
companion of his fallen foe, and all the
bitter memories of the feud came troop
ing back hoary and frightful from pris-
oned past.
NEW WARRIORS AND YOUNG HOOD.
a very strong effort was made in 1923
to prevent the hostile meeting of two
aged citizens of Hancock county, Ga
Hamilton and Mitchell. They fought,
however, and one of iflcm was wounded
in the mouth. Subsequently,, Randolph
of Charleston, was challenged and woun-
ded in the thigh by Samucls, of Edgeiield.
sa.muels, it appeaia, had been Il friend of
Wigfall, who had been killed, and Ran
dolph, made some remarks about the duel.
Some years later Burton, of Newberry, IL
large, stout man, fought Purtlow, of Alb
bevillc, near Sand Barr Ferry-thc wca-
pons being muskets. Burton fell dan
gerously wounded, and his death
is said to have been occasioned as much
by the great shock received in falling rs
from his wound. 1t was in 1922 that
Hebon, Of Nlilledgcville, was killed
by Howar,, of Baldwin county.
The difficulty resulted from Howard re-
fusing to give Hebon's partner his hand
in the dance. The lady in question had
refused to dance with Howard, hence
this slight from him, which Hcbon re-
sented, challenging Howard to meet him
near Augusta. They fought, and Hebon,
rs stated, was killed. 1t was not long
now before Henry G. Nixton and Hop.
kins, of Camden, South Carolina, met
in hostile mien on account of some news
paper publication. The combatants were
provided with two pistols apice-one in
each hand and the plan was to mannu-
vrc until one or the other was shot
down. These cruel tactics, however,
were not needed, for Nixton fell Mt the
first fire, shot through the heart.
THE DEAD PAST.
1t has not been the intention of the
writer to rake over these old feuds or to
revive bitter memories Of a troubled past.
AS far as possible, the cause of the guar
rcls have been omitted, and the partic-
ulars of these hostile meetings-ncccs-
sari!y meagre at this late day-have
alone been given. Hot blood may have
aroused, but it pulsed in noble veins and
TO whatever doubtful deeds it may have
instigated, did not clot in craven arte-
rics wounds may have been opened, but
not to the assassin's blow lives may have
been taken, but tender memories sleep
in sweeter beds than on the field of honor
wrongs may have been done, but they
have been righted by higher statutes
than by the code of men. This account
OF "unwritten strife" is published simply
as 1t falls from the lips of venerable
man who has witnessed every fight here
recounted; and the narratives are not
Used to rear stilted moral or adorn SEN
sational story augusta Chronicle and
C0nsfifutionuiist.