Morris tribune., 1881-09-08

Arc the forerunners of q world of flowers
Sarah Drudney
HOW COL. SHANNON WAS KILLED.
Cruelty of the Dueling Code.-A Cold
BloO,ieti Relation by Col. Cash of the Way
He Killed Col. Shannon.
From the Cincinnati Gazette, Aug. %.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 21.-Col. Cash, Of
South Carolina, has published defense OF
his action in the matter OF the duel in which
he killed Col. Shannon. His cool descrip-
ton of the duel, as we'll as many other mat
ters which he introduces, throws IN in:
teresting light over certain phases of thai
civilization which includes the code, and
| indulges in somewhat curious defenses
of it.
Col. Cash opens his pamphlet as follows,
with partial description of his duel:
| At the solicitation of Col. William Shan.
non, distinguished lawyer of Camden
and prominent citizen of South Carolina
I met that gentleman at Dubois Bridge
Darlington county, S. c., on the 5th o]
July, 1880. for the purpose of settling q
a personal difficulty that had arisen between
| us. We fought in the usual manner OF
dueling. The fight was fair and equal
and there has been no complaint c1l the
part of his friends that sought or obtain
ed any advantage over him. He fell at my
fire, and 1 can honestly say that 1 don't
| believe q Drawer man ever bit the dust. He
went down with his colors flying and front
ing the foe. He died upon the ramparts
of his enemy, and with smile upon his
Co. H. ID
troubles with Col. Shannon began 1 have
frequently heard him spoken of as a self
willed, imperious. and intolerant man, who
was often brought into difficulties with his
associates. Of that I know nothing. For
25 OF 80 years he was to me the genial,
cultivated gentleman, with whom it was a
pleasure to meet. We were of the same
age, and when young resembled each other
so much that one was often taken for the
other, and when we did meet enjoyed these
mistakes. I was fond of him, and the
feeling seemed reciprocal. God forbid
that should now seek to cast reproach up
on his memory. Most honorably has he
settled his account with me, and we have
passed receipts as to the affairs of this
world.
From that eventful 5th of July I have
OCSu au oUJCCt VI IuS
alton and most relentless persecution.
invent that was at all likely to fit the pub
lie ear has been freely published by a
clamorous press to my detriment. I have
been represented as pounding down my
victim, availing myself of long sought
opportunity, as being in perfect
practice and capable of performing mira
cles with pistol, I have been assaulted
by one of the most unscrupulous and cor
rupt public men who ever disgraced Amer
lea. His attacks upon me have been pub
lished in nearly all the papers of the state,
and when 1 sought permission to reply
was forced to 60 to republican newspaper
to obtain a right denied ME by my own
party. Yes, reader, I, life long democrat,
who had neither sought nor held office
since the close of the war, and who had
given my entire estate of 1000 acres, rent
free, to advance the interests of the demo-
Gratis in 1876, was forced to the necessity OF
asking favo1s Of those to whom had spent
my life in opposition. Losing all hope of
of reaching the public through the ordinary
channels, I now adopt the only means
available to me, and beg the indulgence OF
the rea ler while l make bare and plain ali
the facts connected with this sad affair.
After a statement of the causes leading
to the duel, Col. Cash proceeds with full
description of the affair on the field
I'm accordance with the above arrange.
ment met Col Shannon at Dubois bridge
on the 5th o?y Of July. When I drove up
on the ground I saw about 100 persons
standing in groups over the field abou
one half of whom collected around NY
carriage after had left it. They were
motley mass of white people, mulattoes ant
freed negroes. had never seen them be-
fore, and did not address any remark t.
them in liyidually or collectively, nor tax,
any notice of them in any manner. 81
soon as arrived upon the ground some o.
Col. Shannon's party advanced toward tn.
center Of the field, where I and some of m,
friends went to meet them. Here the pis
tolls were loaded aud near by the pegs wer,
set, and was directed by my friend, Mr.
William B. Sanders, to take my position
Ny brother-in -in-law, Captain Ellerbe, ant
my son, W. B. Cash, came to bid me fare
well. Our meeting was about 100 yard
from the group referred to. Capt. El!erb,
said: Remember, old fellow, you are shoot
ing at long taw, and my son said, Father
remember now how poor mother wal
treated
81 replied: If Col. Shannon does no
disable me before l shoot. will send my
bullet through his heart This is verba
tim the conversation that passed between
US. 1t was spoken in low tone, and ne
one else heard it, and all statements to tht
contrary are absolutely false. When tool
my position drew from my pocket q pho.
tograph likeness of Mrs. Cash, and while
taking what supposed might be my las
look at the picture Col. Shannon took his
position, and, am informed, saluted my
friends and myself. did not see his act
and therefore did not return the salute. Tc
| others this may appear small matter, but
the circumstance Las annoyed mo very
much, and cannot get over it.
"Mr. johnson had won the word, and il
was his duty to direct the fight. 1t would
be impossible for any man to fill any posi-
ton or to discharge any duty more perfectly
or more fairly than he performed his part
on that occasion. When asked: Gentle
men, are you ready?" Col. Shannon was the
first to reply, and never can forget his game
cock crow of defiance. His voice was loud
clear, and firm. moment after respond
ed, 'Readyp and NJ. Johnson gave the sig.
nal. At 'one' Col. Shannon fred, and
felt burning sensation on my right cheek
and neck, and thought was shot. The
fire and smoke from Col. Shannon's pistol
obscured the upper portion of his person,
and caused moments delay in my firing.
fired at two and saw white spot through
his black coat precisely where I had aimed
and yet he stood firm and unmoved. The
thought flashed upon me that I had been
cheated. 1t was only for moment, for he
stepped once forward, Coward me,) then
turned to his right and staggered. I turned