The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1882-04-06

pany his injurious remarks respecting Ben
ton and cited Charles Lucas as concurrine
with him. Obviously this could not last
Benton addressed note to Charles Lucas
saying that he had heard that some persons
claiming to be his friends had imputed
the expression of such opinions to him
i Charles Lucag) that he (Benton) was sat
lsfed that he Charles Lucas) had said
nothing of the kind, but that it was neces-
sary that he (Benton) should have the
means OF efectually disproving the rumor,
and this means could only consist in
the written authority of Charles Lucas.
He begged Charles Lucas to enable him to
make this disproof.
On receiving this note Charles Lucas ex-
pressed in words his regret that any such
rumor should be in circulation. and de-
clared it to be groundless adding that he
would furnish Bneton with a written state
ment to that effect. Benton's friend ex-
pressed himself highly gratified and the IN
terview closed. That day passed and the
next without the promised letter being
written by Charles Lucas, and Benton's
friend called again. Charles Lucas put
him off to the following day. On that
evening judge Lawless said chat Charles
Lucas and his father were seen walking
backwards and forwards on the open
ground..wes Eof where the planters house now
stands. The elder man was vehement in
his gesticula'ion and apparently earnest in
his speech to the younger, who said little
and appeared to be in deep detection. What
was actually said no one knew but the
speakers themselves. Next morning, when
Benton's friend called for the written state
ment, Charles Lucas, still appearing deep
~ detected, told him that he could give no
such statement, and added that if Benton
wished fro his blood he could have it.
Benton's friend was Judge Lawless,
When he brought to his principal this an
swer of Lucas, Benton was strongly excited,
and remarked that from that point all the
moves were forced" He sent at once.
A POINTED CHALLENGE TO LUCAS.
He said that Lucas refusal to disavow
that infamous language imputed to him
compelled Benton to treat him as its author,
as charging him (Benton) vita cowardce,
&c. That he thus made it necessary
that they should meet again, and with q
view of enabling Lucas to make the terms
OF the meeting as deadly as he was alleged
to wish, he (Benton), by challenging him,
conferred on him the privilege of debating
the weapons, the distance, place, &c. In
short, everything needed to make the fight
desperate was done. Lucas named pistols,
six PAGES and an early day. 1t was very
warm weather-perhaps early in September,
but on this point am speaking conjectur-
ally. Lawless was the second of Benton,
Maj. Clemson the second of Lucas. The
parties met at Bloody Island Both were
dressed in black frock coats. 1t was agreed
that the contestants should stand facing
each other, with an interval Of six PAGES;
hat avn ~Ek L, J. =
tlsmen, are you ready?" If no reply were
ready, aud then the words should be, Fire!
One, two, three" the firing to be after one,
and not after three. Lots were cast to de-
termine which of the seconds should give
the word: and it fell to Maj. Clemson.
The combatants were moving toward their
places, when Benton, who was suffering ex-
tremely from the heat Of the day, exclaimed
L can't stand this, and stepped towards
pitcher of water and basin which had been
brought to the ground-U think, but am
not positive, that Col. Lawless, spoke of an
ce-bucket" also)-threw off his coat, rolled
up his shirt sleeves, and bathed his hands
and face in water. He was still driving
them with the towel, when Maj. Clemson
asked: "Gentlemen, are you ready?" Ben
ton turned sternly toward him, and ex-
claimed:
DON'T YOU SEE THAT AM NOT READY"
1t happened that his undershirt was of
red flannel, and this was exposed by his
barring his arms for the purpose of bathing
them. He hurriedly and only partially ad-
lusted his dress, stepped to his place, re-
celved the pistol, and turning to Clemson.
said: "Now, I am ready" Col. Lawless
said that Clemson seemed disconnected by
T.; 80 -. ID
In some what broken voice, he commenced
counting, "One, two" etc., without ut
terring the command, "Fire." Everyone
was astonished. Benton started and look
ed toward Clemson, as if to interrupt him,
when zone" was pronounced, and Col.
Lawless. highly impulsive man, suspec-
ted foul play on Clemson's part, and ex-
pecting to see Benton shot before the prop
or word was given, resolved in that
event, to shoot Charles Lucas: but just be.
fore the word two was called, Charles
Lucas raised his pistol. Benton raised his
and fired like flash of lightning, to use
the expression Of Col. Lawless; the pistol
of Lucas was discharged at nearly the same
moment, but Benton's bullet passed through
Lucas body, while Lucas bullet wholly
missed Benton. Lucas felt that he was
MORALLY wounded. He caused Benton to
10 UAOuSuG W ulul, eApTcSbcu ulLubcll per-
fectly satisfied with Benton's conduct, and
took on himself the blame Of the meeting.
Benton was choked with emotion He
pressed the hand of the dying man and
withdrew from the spot. That to the day
Of bis death he regarded the death Of
Charles Lucas as supreme misfortune to
himself, second only to the alternative of
being himself killed is notorious.
I say nothing by way Of jnstifying duel
ing in general, or by the way of justifying
it at this day. But in St. Louis and in
1877, man must either have replied to an
insult by calling the insulter to the field, or
have lost all social consideration. At the
present day every honorable man prefers
death to disgrace. But socie ty is now less
exacting than it was then in considering
man disgraced who fails to resent an insult
in this extreme manner. 1t was far other
wise then. No one can doubt that if Ben
ton had permitted himself to be run over by
the Lucas party his condition would have
been such as to make him feel that death
would have been far preferable. It was
question whether he would submit to some
thing worse than death, or kill his foeman in
open fight. When he was forced to meet
his enemy in the field, he was surely iusti-
fed in seeking to preserve his own life by
taking that of his adversary. In the millen-
MUM it is hoped that man will give no in