Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1880-07-09
THE CASH SHANNON DUEL.

THE CASH SHANNON DUEL.
Cash Alleged to have Forced tho Combat by
Repeated Insults-He Disappears After
KILLING His Antagonist.
Camien Is. C..) Correspondence New York
When reached here found the whole
in morning, lamenting the
sudden loss Of Mr.. William NJ. Shannon.
who had been slain in a duel. The death
Of no other man could have produced such
general CONSERVATION, such universal sOr-
row. Colonel w. NJ. Shannon was a quiet
and loving father, a frank and generous
friend, pure and public-spirited citizen.
lie was the sole support of a family Of
more than twenty dependent children and
grandchildren, all of whom are now cast
OH the world. Thus his antagonist has
not only killed the father but beggared the
children. As soon as intelligence
Of the fatal encounter between n
Colonel f. B. &. Cash and Colonel
W. NJ. Shannon reached Columbia,
boarded the first train for Camden, deter
mined to ascertain the particulars Of the
affair. l reached here last night. lsought
MIR. W. +. Johnson, who acted as the sec
ond for Colonel Shannon, but utterly failed
in my attempts to make him disclose any
thing. succeeded in gathering an au-
thcntic history Of the whole affair from
trustworthy sources. 1t is impossible to
ascertain the immediate cause OF the duel.
Some years ago Cash challenged Captain
W. l.. Depass, the colleague of ShannOnin
case pending ut court. The challenge
was promptly accepted, but the whole
party were arrested before reaching the
dueliny ground and placed under heavy
bonds. Several other efforts were made
by the same parties to meet, but all were
frustrated by the authorities, who were
determined to prevent the hostile meeting.
Cash, however, seemed bent upon fighting
some one and turned his attention to
Shannon, who was known to he peaceful
man.
Cash heaped insult after insult upon him
and threatened, if he did not fight, to go
to his house and hOrsewhip him. Shannon
was SO wrought up by these repeated af-
fronts that he determined to bring the
bully to terms and sent him peremptory
challenge. Cash was only too glad to ac-
cept it. The preliminaries were conducted
very secretly. Not even the most intimate
friends Of Col Shannon suspected what was
going on. None save the seconds, surgeon
and a few trusted friends knew of the i'm
pending combat. On Monday afternoon
4 little before two O'clOck, the two parties
by preconcerted plans, met at Dubrose
Bridge, point in Darlington county, some
twenty miles from Camden. The ground
chosen had been the scene Of two duels last
year and was somewhat famous ON that
account. The country around presents a
barren appearance and renders it most
favorable spot for secret meetings, being
f.,rr Ovol <ol
MIR. w. E. johnson, the second of Colonel
Shannon, and w. B. Sanders Cash's Sec
ond asked the principals if they were ready.
Just at two o'clock both responded ''Yes."
The derringerS were taken from their
cases, fifteen PAGES were measured off, a
bucket of water was brought and the boxes
of cartridges and surgical instruments
were placed on the ground. The princi-
pals shook hands with their seconds and
the dread moment was at hand. Every
thing was still as death. The two cool,
determined men faced each other with pis-
tolls. A look of eagerness and desperation
was depicted on the face of one, while an
expression of severity and sadness shone
on the face of the other. Each had been
heard to remark some minutes before that
he felt sure Of killing his adversary. It
was apparent, however, that Cash had
greatly the advantage of Shannon. He
was a tall, slim man, a professional duclist
and an unerring shot. His foe was burly,
cOrpulent man, who had never fought be-
fore, and was unaccustomed to handling a
pistol. The pistols were cooked and both
were ready. The word "One'' is given,
and almost simultaneously the sharp re-
port of ShannOn's pistol is heard. The
ball falls short of its mark, and plows the
ground ut Cash's feet. The word 1.-TWO"
breaks the silence. and another shot is
heard.
The fatal bullet has done its work
Shannon let's fall his weapon he reels,
swings around and falls heavily to the
ground. The leaden messenger has pene-
trated his heart and he drops dead before
the smoke has cleared away. His surgeon
hastens to the PROSTATE form. 1t is too
late. Overcome with grief some of his
friends wiring their hands and burst out in
loud lamentations. They bear his lifeless
body to waiting carriage. In the mean
time the slayer has withdrawn from the
field. He did not even cast pitying
glance at his victim, but he mounted his
horse and rode away. As soon as the news
reached a crowd of Shannon's friends,
who were about mile off, they resolved
to set out in pursuit of Cash and avenge
their friends death. But the idea was
abandoned and they repaired to the fatal
field and bore the remains of Colonel
Shannon home. They reached Camden
about nine o'clock at night, the news of
the fatal combat having preceded them
several hours. When Intelligence of the
death of Colonel Shannon reached Camden
It spread rapidly and the whole populace
became wildly indignant, and threatening
dire vengeance OH the head of the slayer,
and had Cash made his appearance on the
streets it is certain that he would never
have gone away 4 live man. The colOred
people were highly incensed because their
best friend had been killed. They would
have lynched Cash could he have been
found. When the remains arrived at
Camden large crowds Of eager spectators
turned out to greet them with walls.
The funeral took place yesterday after
noon. 1t was by far the largest ever known
in Camden. Business was entirely sus-
pended, and nearly all the inhabitants,
white and black, followed the cOrtege to
the grave. Yesterday afternoon the cOrO-
her held an inquest, but the jury did not
render their verdict until to-day, at twelve
o'clock. The verdict was that the deceased
came to his death by the hand of Cash.
This afternoon a warrant was issued for
the arrest Of Cash, but it is doubtful
whether he can be found. If he should be
caught he will have to stand his trial for
murder. Active steps are being taken to
have Cash apprehended and brought to
justice. Judge Kershaw declares that the
law must he enforced at all hazards. To-