Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-07-11
THE FATAL DUEL.
Details of a Tragedy That Robbed Wife
and Children of Their Protector.
ICincinnati Commercial.


cincinnati Commercial
CAMDEN, s. c., July THE duel between
Col. w. Shannon and Col. E. B. G. Cash
fought near Camden last Monday afternoon,
resulting in the instant death of the former
has cast gloom over the entire community.
The immediate cause of the duel cannot be
ascertained, owing to the reticence of all who
know anything about it. 1t is known, how
ever, that Cash forced it upon Shannon.
Cash is reported to be most dangerous
character, who is never contented unles en-
gagged in fighting. He is professional duel
lst and an unerring marksman with pistol.
Col. Shannon, on the other hand, was q
quiet, inoffensive gentleman, totally averse
to duelinG and unaccustomed to the use of
pistols.
Some time ago Cash challenged Capt. w.
L. Depass, a prominent lawyer, who was en-
gagged with Shannon in a suit against Cash.
The challenge was Immediately accepted,
but the parties were arrested before reaching
the field of honor. Cash was determined to
force either Depass or Shannon to fight, and
turned his attention to the latter. He heaped
insult after insult upon him, till at last, in
sheer desperation, Shannon sent Cash a per-
emptory challenge. Cash waa 1nly too glad
to accept the challenge. The preliminaries
were conducted SO quietly and secretly that
only few intimate friends knew hostile
meeting was to take place.
BY preconcerted arrangement the princi-
pals, their seconds and surgeons, with few
trusted friends, met Monday afternoon at 2
o'clock at a point twenty miles from here
called Dubose Bridge. The place chosen
wassadmirably adapted for such meeting
being far removed from any frequented roads
All being in readiness, fifteen PAGES having
been measured off and the pistols placed in
the hands of the combatants, one of the
seconds asked:
"Are you ready?"
eyes," was the answer of the two men,
who faced each other without manifestine
the slightest agitation or fear. Cash wore
an eager, malignant look, his eyes emitting
sparks of rage. Shannon's expression de-
noted sadness and serenity. Each one had
been heard to remark a few minutes before
that he was certain to kill his antagonist.
AS the word one was given Shannon fred,
missing his mark, his ball burying itself at
the foot of his adversary.
The word two was given, and Cash drew
bead on his foe and pulled the trigger.
His leaden messenger did its work instan-
taneously. The arm was torn and the bullet
penetrated the heart of Shannon.
A bolt of lightning could not have caused
death more suddenly. He dropped his
weapon, reeled, whirled around and fell
dead. The surgeon fastened to the pros
trate form, but was too late. Cash seeing
what he had done incontinently left the field
without even casting parting look at his
victim.
AS soon as the news OF the fatal combat
reached Camden, the intensest indignation
was shown by the whole community. The
colored people were loud in their lamenta-
tions, for they had lost one of their best
faiends. IL Cash had shown himself in
Camden he would certainly have been lynch
cd by tie outraged people.
Ihe remains of Col. Shannon reached
mere at 9o'clock on Monday night, and the
funeral took place yesterday afternoon. Ii
was 10y far the largest funeral eper known in
camden. Business was suspended and hun.
tlreds found 1t impossible to gain admittance
to the church. Nearly all the inhabitants,
white and black, followed the cortege to the
grave. The Coloner summoned jury
and an inquest was held this
afternoon. A verdict was rendered
charging Cash with the murder of Shannon.
warrant of arrest was Immediately issued
apd crnstables are now on the track OF
Cash. Ii he should be arrested, he will be
tiled for murder.
The people are determined that the Law
shall be strictly enforced, and all persons
connected with the duel brought to justice.
The Anti i-Duelino association varv for.
midabls body of the best citizens of Cam
den, will exert themselves to the utmost to
secure Cash's conviction for murder. No
expense or money will be spared to enforce
the law.
The unanimous verdict ia that the due
was the most inexcusable and causeless ever
known in South Carolina. It is black D 10
on this community, which IS already in bad
repute, owing to the frequency of duels in
this county of late. The plot can only be
removed by the prompt punishment of prin-
cipals and seconds.