River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1881-10-27
DOUGHTY DUELIsTS
A Regular Civil War Among the Fire.
Eating Southr0ns, Causing AZ
airs OF ssHonah - to Come
Thick and Fast.
Riddieberger, the Candidate for SER
geant-at- Arms of the u. ~ SEN
ate Booked for Two BueIs
in One Day.

THE IAP1S-THE INSTRUMENTATION
DUEL.
RICHMOND, Va, Oct. ia duel oc-
CURED this afternoon between State
Senator III. H. Riddleberger and Con-
gresham George ID. Wise, about ten
miles north of this city. The origin of
the difficulty is attributable to the Blair
letters, which have become such an inn
portant issue in the heated political
canvass now going on in this state.
Congressman Wise was the first to in
troduce the epistles in the canvass, to
show that their alleged author, Blair,
who is the readjuster candidate for at
torney general, was treacherous to both
the democratic and the readjuster re-
publican party. Blair promptly denied
their genuineness. These denials were
backed up by articles written and pub
lished by his political friends and SYM
pathizers. On the other hand, demo-
Gratis living in Blair's section of the state
who are familiar with his writing, pub
lished certificates asserting their belief
in their authenticity These
CONTRADICTORY STATEMENTS
were banded about by papers of both
ptrties and produced most intense bit
terness between many oft leaders on
both sides. A few days ago The Wing,
the Richmond organ of Malone and
his party, published an article trans
mitted to them by Riddleberger, styled
a confession ''From w. Lei, b Wilson"
who furnished the letters to Wise, and
to whom they were alleged to have
been addressed In this so-called con-
Tossing, Wilson said that Wise made
use of the letters knowing them to be
forged. In his note to The Wing, send
ing the confession, Riddleberger said
that he assumed no responsibility for
any of the statements of Wilson. Con-
gresham Wise, however, looked upon
the matter in different light, and held
him
PERSONALLY RESPONSIBLE
for Wilson's communication. HI pub
lished card in The E'uentnq State news
paper denouncing III. III. heidelberg
er, who oncocted these slaaders, and
the person or persons who directed or
sanctioned THEN publication, as base
liars and slanderers." Mr. heidelberg
er happened to be in the city and saw
the offensive article and promptly chal-
lenged Wise, and also Mr.. Richard f.
Beirne, one of the editors of The State
The latter gentleman had on the same
afternoon, but in an earlier edition,
published an editorial declaring in
most emphatic terms that Heidelberg
er was a man wholly worthy of belief.
1t is thought that Editor Beirne was
challenged first. Both of the gentle
men promptly accepted the invitation
to
MORTAL COMBAT,
and arrangements were at once entered
into between Riddleberger and Beirne
to meet. When they did so it was dis
covered that, though pistols were at
hand, none of the party had brought
any caps. This necessitated change
of programme. A later hour was fixed
upon for meeting. In the meantime
Wise and Riddleberger met near Atlas,
station on the Chesapeake and Ohio
road. Ten PAGES were stepped off and
the men took positions. Bad luck
seemed to attend the affair. At the
first fire Wise's pistol failed to explode
the cap, and another effort was made.
This time Wise's shot
GBAZED RIDDLEBERGER's LoNG-TAILED
l.
Another fire was determined on by the
duelists, and the men again assumed
hostile attitude. The third shot was
made, and no better success than the
preceding attempts. After the last
fire, Riddleberger, with smile upon
his face, advanced toward Wise and
extended his hand. A short parley
was had between the seconds, after
which Wise met his antagonist and took
his hand. Riddleberger expressed much
regret at the publication at which Wise
had taken offense, and remarked that
he had never doubted Wise's honor nor
integrity.
After this reconciliation the party
left the field of he nor. Beirne was but
short distance off, and ready to give
Riddleberger satisfaction after the af-
fair betweo IN that gentleman and Wise
was disposed of. City Police Justice
Richardson had got wind of the affair
of honor and got off in haste to inter
cept and
ARREST THE PARTIES.
Not having jurisdiction in this county
he lost some time in getting warrant
from q county magistrate. He secured
that document and returned just in
time to learn that the last shot had
been fired, and reconciliation taken
He at once directed his attention to
Mr. Beirne, and found him on the rail-
road, and arrested him. He was put
under bonds of 81 900. Mr.. Ryan, an
editorial attache of The State, who was
en- the ground to act as second for Mr..
Beirne was also found, arrested, and
put under bonds. Riddleberger return
ed to the city, and soon after quietly
proceeded to fill an engagement to
speak at large readluster meeting
here. He was on the stand when Re
was arrested upon warrant ana put
under s., 900 bonds. AZ OF
THE GENTLEMEN
who engaged in this triangular affair of
honor are well known and occupy high
social positions. Mr.. Wise is nephew
of the late Gov. Henry A. Wise, so well
known in connection with politics in
the state, and first cousin of John A.
Wise, one of Mahone's most trusted
leaders. Riddleberger was the nomi-
nee of the Republicans for sergeant-at-
arms of the U. S. Senate last winter. He
and Mr.. Wise have both been stumping
the state during the present canvass, the
former for the readjusters and the lat
ter for the Democrats. Mr.. Wise's
brother, Gen. Peyton Wise, was party
to duel with United States Dist Atty.
l.. L. Lewis, which occurred near War
renton, in this state, about six weeks
ago. On that occasion Wise fired his
pistol in the air, and Lewis missed his
aim. That affair grew on of publica-
ton of offensive language to a brother
of Lewis, alleged to have been used by
Congressman Wise in political speech
in the campaign of this year. The af-
fair to-day has created general interest
here, and is the theme of conversation
in all circles. There have already been
FOUR DUELS
growing out of the bitterness between
partisans in The canvass, and it is be-
lieved that there are one or two affairs
of honor growing out of the same
cause on the taps.
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