The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-10-16

Ills uUd~~farHChtaFh ~ Nv a. NV w
BE- obsained-Arrest OF aIcssrs. Beirne'
Wise, and Riddicberaer.
Early yesterday morning Mr.. Richard
II. Bcirne, one Of the editors and owners OF
she state, and II. II. RiddIcbcrger, ESD
met for duel, but by an accident u was
prevented.
Later Hon. George ID. Wise aud Mr. Rid
tleherger net and fought, but without IN
Jury 10 either.
Roth affairs grew out Of the Blair letters
and the alleged confession Of Wilson.
A few DAYS ago Mr.. Riddlcberger trans
mitted 10 Mr.. W. G.. Elan, secretary OF TIE
RcadIuster State Committee, statement or
confession from Wilson saying that the
Blair letters were forgeries, and that John
W. Daniel and George ID. Wise were IN
mart responsible therefor, and had en-
Moved them In the canvass, knowing them
10 be forged, &C., SC. Mr.. Riddleberger,
I'm forwarding Wilson's confession, said:
az do NOT want 10 be misunderstood as
endorsing any part Of Wilson's letter, or
As accepting his allusion TO and statements
concerning any Of the gentlemen therein
named"
THE STATES ARTICLE.
In the first edition Of the State Of Friday
there appeared an editorial article quoting
The purpoft of Wilson's confession, and
following II up with the letter OF Messrs
Mcdowell, Figgatt, and Goodwin, rs to how
that confession was obtained, and going on
10 say: "Who is IL that contriyes this cum
ming scheme and tries 10 carry ii TO success,
regardless OF respect for either himself or
Tor his iellow-meny 1t is chronic eandi-
date to whom anything, however foul, Is
always fair.
/" Again, this Riddlebcrger appears before
the country, not as candidate for any OIL
fee, from State senator in Virginia to Ser
geant-at-Arms OF the Senate OF the United
States. but as q confidence man, trading in
the false and incoherent 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 Sc
cond's thought might have reminded him
that the name OF Riddleberger Is worthless
as an endorsement Of any statement and
after commenting upon Riddlebcrger's po-
litical course, closing as follows;
alt is also reported that this mans advice
90 Blair was 10 say that ne never wrote the
letters that he did write, TO stick to this,
and, II needs be, TO swear to IL. Beneath
contempt, therefore, is any statement that
comes from ii. ii. Riddeberger."
CAPTAIN wIsE's CARD.
In the second edition of the State Cap
tain George ID. Wise published card,
which, after quoting the part Of the confess
sion in which his name was used, closed as
follows:
81 shall not condescend to notice VIII
son, the correspondent, friend, and hire
ling OF Malone, Blair g. Co., further than
to declare that the statements above given
are miserable lies OF the whole cloth; but
avail myself Of this opportunity TO de-
nounce IL. H. Riddleberger, who con-
cocted these SANDERS, and the person or
persons who directed or sanctioned their
publication, as base liars and slanderers."
a ssu>s--a'-'A~
uGfLESt;ft.es.:'~-..-..ssss~
II is understood that Captain Wisc's card
was carried to the State Office about l
O'Clock, and that he Immediately left the
city, informing friend where he could be
found II sought.
That afternoon both Mr.. Beirne and
Captain Wise were challenged, and both
promptly accepted.
Mr.. Beirne was to meet Dir. Riddleberger
about 70 A. A. yesterday on the road between
this city and Ashland, and later Mr.. Rid
dlebergcr was to meet Captain Wise near
Atlee's station, which IL On the Chesapeake
and Ohio railroad, nine miles from this
city.
AN ACCIDENT.
At the time and place appointed Messrs.
Beirne and Riddleberger met. Mr.. Ryan,
of the State staff, was the second OF Mr..
Beirne; Msior Asa Rogers, DR., and Colonel
Jones represented Mr.. Riddleberger; and
DIR. Edwards was present as surgeon. The
preliminaries were all arranged for duel
when 1t was ascertained that though the
pistols were on hand there we're no caps
within reach TO fire them of. 1t was there
fore determined that the fight should come
of al later hour neal Atlee's station.
THREE SHOTS.
AS well as can be learned from conflict
inc ,,'''mors, Messrs; Riddleberger and
WI WI.o I'VE We're to me- =. tn Newman's woods,
about mile from Atlee's s.~'. W
o'clock. Both parties were, however, on
hard an hour before that time, Mr.. Wise
being represented by Mr.. Richard Dunlop,
Mr.. Riddleberger by Messrs. Rogers and
Jones, and DIR. George Ben. Johnston and
DIR. Edwards present rs surgeons. Without
waiting for O'Clock to arrive, the arrange
ments were made, ten PAGES measured on,
and the parties put in position. Mr.. Rid
.dleberger's friend; Major Rogers, was TO
give the word.
AT the proper time Mr.. Rlddleberger
fred, but Mr.. Wise's pistol failed; the cap
was not exploded.
THE LAST.
Another fire was had, but without injury
10 either party. Then for the third time
the word was given, and again the shots
were without effect, and Mr.. Riddleberger
Immediately stepped forward and extended
his hand in an amicable manner towards
Mr. Wise. Mr.. Wise, after "A few words
with his second, came forward and took
the protEered hand, Mr.. Riddleberger at
the same time expressing his regret
for the publication, and declaring
that at no time did lac ever doubt
the honor OF Mr.. Wise. The parties
then separated, and Captain Wise was
shortly thereafter arrested by Policc-Jus-
fice Richardson, and Sergeant Matthews
armed with warrant from Justice Tim
berlake, OF the county.
just before they came up with Mr.. Wise
they had arrested Mr.. Beirne and MIR.
Ryan, who Were waiting with caps and pis-
tolls, ready TO give MIR. Riddleberger the
satisfaction asked by him.
CIRCUMSTANCES LEADING TO THE ARRESTS.
At I've minutes TO 2 O'clock Police-Jus-
fiee Richardson received information thai
Captain George ID. Wise and Captain II. III
Riddleberger would meet at o'clock neal
Atlee's station for the purpose OF fighting
duel. Taking Sergeant George ii. Matthews
OF the police force, with him in a buggy
they proceeded to the point designated. A