The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1881-10-20
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The Code.

The Code.
lRIDDLEBERGER SENDS TWO CHALLENGES IN
ONE DAy--oNE PARTY FoRGRTs AMMUNI
TIoN-FouR SHOTS EXCHANGED AT TEN
PAGES, BUT NO DAMAGE DONE.
Two challenges grew out Of the alleged Will
son confession The afternoon of the day on
which the Wilson confession, published else.
where, appeared in the Wing, a bitter article
was printed in the editorial columns Of the
State After quoting the purport of Wilson'S
confession, and following it up with the letters
of Messrs. Mcdowell, Liggatt and Goodwin
as to how the confession was obtained Tho
/ States article then went on to say: "Who is 1t
| that contrives this cunning scheme and tries
to carry it to success regardless of respect for
either himself or for his fellew-men? It is q
chronic candidate to whom anything, however
foul, is always fair
Again, this Riddleberger appears before
the country, not as a candidate for any office,
| from State Senator IN Virginia to Sergeant at
Arms of the Senate of the United States, but
as a confidence man. trading in the false and
ncoherent mutterings of drunken fellow.
| This bogus confession, drawn out with drink
and money, that confidence man would have
us believe The man is blind in his boldness.
A seconds thought might have reminded him
| that the name of Riddleberger is worthless as
an endorsement of any statement" and after
commenting upon Riddleberger's political
course, closing as follows:
ut is also reported that this mans advice to
Blair was to say that he never wrote the let
tiers that he did write, to- stick to this, and, il
needs be, to swear to it. Beneath contempt,
10 cfo hat
H. H. Riddleberger."
CAPTAIN wIsEs CARD.
In the second edition of the State Captain
George d. Wise published a card which. after
quoting the part of the confession in which
his name was used, closed as follows.
Il shall not condescend to notice Wilson.
the correspondent, friend, and hireling of Ma
hone, Blair & Co., further than to declare. that
the statements above given are miserable lies
OF the whole cloth; but avail myself Of this
opportunity to denounce H. H. Riddleberger.
who concocted these ISLANDERS, and the person
or persons who directed or sanctioned their
publication, as base liars and slanderers'
CHALLENGES.
1t is understood that Captain Wises card
was carried to the State office about O'Clock,
and that he Immediately left the city, inform.
ing friend where he could be found if sought.
Thai afternoon both Mr. Beirne and Captain
Wise were challenged, and both promptly &C.
cepted
Mr.. Beirne was to meet Mr. Riddleberger
about u a. m, yesterday on the road between
this city and Ashland, and later Mr.. Riddle
berger was to meet Captain Wise near Atlees
station, which is on the Chesapeake and Ohio
railroad, nine miles from Richmond
At the appointed hour Mr. Beirne and party
met Capt. Riddleberger and party on the pike
about six miles from Ashland. Mr.. Belrne be- |
ing the challenged party, of course had to
furnish the weapons. No fight occurred, how
ever, because the supply, or may be the quality
OF the pistol caps, prevented such from taking |
place. Beirnes second Mr. William RYAN, Of |
the State staff, asked that the matter be post
poned awhile until he could make the neces- |
sary arrangements. Riddlebergers second
Col Robert Richardson, could not agree to |
wait beyond a certain hour as Capt. Riddle |
berger had to fill the engagement made to
meet M. Wise at place some miles distant. 7
SO Riddleberger's party left for aspot about
two miles from Atlee's Station, near the Chesa-
peake and Ohio railway, where they were to
meet Wise and his party at 4 o'clock Beirpe
and his party remained on the ground short
while after the other party left, but subsequent
~ went over to Atlee's evidently to have the
meeting with Riddleberger after Wise and Rid
dleberger had settled their difficulty. Before
this was done Police Justice Richardson and
Officer Matthews, of the First police precinct,
armed with warrant issued by Justice Tins
ley, arrested Messrs. Beirne and Ryan, and
they We're placed under 1000 bond to keep
the peace.
Justice Richardson having an inkling that
there would be duel fought near Atlee's that
afternoon, went out to stop the fight if posi-
bic. Beirne's party was greatly surprised
when the officers of the law came upon them
and found them waiting their turn at the Code
of Honor. But for their arrest there was
every reason to believe that Belrne and Rid
dleberger would have fought after the Wise
fight was over
The time appoined for Wise and Riddle
berger to meet was o'clock Saturday after
noon and the place one mile from Atlee's Sta
ton Riddleberger and party reached the spot
after tedious journey over rough country
road some time before the appointed hour,
They waited among the trees awhile until
O'clock, when Wise and his party arrived.
Both parties being on the ground. it was de-
cided not to wait until 4 o'clock, and accord
ingy few minutes before that hour the usual
ten PAGES were laid off and the principals
stepped forward.
Col. A. W. JONES' it is said, acted as second
tor Capt Riddieberger, and Richard Dunlop,
ESQ.,, for Mr.. Wise. Regular dueling pistols
were used
After everything was arranged the command
to fire was given. Both triggers were pressed
almost simultaneously, but only one loud re-
port rang out upon the quiet woods. Wise's
pistol snapped, and the ball from Riddleber-
gers pistol barely missed its mark
Another round was had This time both
weapons went off together and the balls from
each went whizzing through the air close to
the heads OF those who sent them on their
rapid journey.
Still another round was agreed upon, and
the principals again stood erect, firmly clinch-
ing the deadly weapons in their right hands
awaiting the command to fire. Clear and dis
tinct the word was given. This time the ball
from Riddleberger's pistol passed through
Wise's hat brim, and that from Wise's pistol
cut hole through Riddleberger's coat tail
Still another round was ordered, and again
the same command repeated.
On the fourth round both balls missed, and
without taking another shot both parties
agreed upon settlement, which was amicable
and satisfactory to- all concerned.
The place where the duel was fought was in
the midst OF thick clump of beautiful trees
away from the sight OF everybody, about two
miles from Atlee's Station. in Hanover county.
and about nine miles from Richmond.
ALI the parties arrived in Richmond about
dark Saturday night. About two hours after
Capt. Riddleberger reached the CITY he ad-
dressed crowd Of about 1900 persons at the
Readjuster mass-meeting near Ford's Hotel
and was enthusiastically received By the vast
assemblage
Subsequently warrant was served upon
him by Capt. James p. Peasants. of the First
police precinct, charging him with about to
fight duel.
Bre INVENTORIES MAP OF VIRGINIA FOR /