The Magnolia gazette. [volume] (Magnolia, Miss.) 1872-current, 1882-09-15
A MISSISSIPPI SHOT.

vi tne Mlssissippi dueiist, Ool. Alex.
X. McOlung, who served with distinc-
tion in the Mexican war, was one OF the
most dangerous. killing his opponent in
every duel. He came Of good Virginia
family, being a nephew OF Chief Justice
Marshall, but when under the influence
OF liquor was morosc and dictatorial. He
moved to Mississippi in 1884 and had
been in the State only few months
when he became involved in quarrel
with Col. Allen. The terms we're unu-
sual in affairs Of the code. The two an
tagonists wereto stand forty PAGES apart,
armed with bowie knife and pistol, and
were to advance on each other. firing at
discretion. Allen kept his pistol cover
ing McClung as he slowly advanced on
him. What was the surprise of the
spectators to see McClung suddenly
raise his pistol, aim, and fire at dis
tance OF over hundred feet. Allen fell
to the ground, shot through the mouth
and mortally wounded. McClung's shot
ON this occasion Is the best on record in
a Southern duel, one hundred feet being
a much longer range than the duelling
pistol is suited to.
This was only one Of Meetings. many
affairs in which his opponent was killed,
one Of them being his own cousin. His
last fight was with young man by the
name Of Menifee, brother of Kentucky's
famous congressman OF that name. The
weapons chosen we're Mississippi rifles.
The duel was big affair in vicksburg-
opposite which it was fought On the
day Of its occurrence the motley popu-
lation of the little Mississippi town
poured out to witness 1t. and planters
even from afar off came in their carria.
ges TO have sight of meeting where it
was felt sure blood would be shed. Six
ty yards was the distance chosen, and
when the seconds went to measure the
ground it was with great difficulty that
the crowd could be kept back so as to al
low the fight to go on.
The positions we're taken and the rifles
were placed In the combatants' hands.
"Are you ready ?"
/ Ready" both firmly responded
Zone. Two. Fire =" Here Menifee's
rifle exploded, and the bullet whistled
by MsClung's head and lodged in tree
that appeared to be on an exact line with
the body Of the latter.
/ To the surprise Of everybody, instead
Of firing hispiece McClung attempted 10
break 1t in half, and with fierce oath
hurled it distance Of twenty feet away,
where it aIighted upon pile Of soft sand
and stuck muzzle down. several feet in
it.
The seconds soon learned the cause OF
this curious action-the gun had hung
fire, 1t was rescued, the sand removed
from the muzzle, and reloaded. After
an interval of zen minutes the crowd
gathered around them again. During
the interval many bets had been made
on the result Of the duel, the odds being
generally in favor Of Meuifee, who was q
popular favorite. and who, moreover,
was generally supposed to be proficient
with the rifle. The word was given.
This time McClung's piece was more
faithful Before Menifee's finger had
, pressed the trigger Of his rife that Of
Mcclung had been discharged, and
| the ball, striking the cock Of Menifee's
gun, hurled a piece of it deep into the
, brain Of the unfortunate young man,
who fell and died before he could be re.
moved from the field.
This was the last duel in which Nc
Clung engaged, as few were willing tc
risk their lives in an encounter with him
/ After serving with distinction in the
Mexican war he eretnrned to Mississippi
| but he had become more morose thar
ever, and deeply melancholy. His enc
} mies claimed that he was haunted by the
spirits Of those whomhe had slain in du
els, a story which was commonly be-
I lieyed when in 1855 he blew out his owr
brains.
A decision BY the Supreme Court o.
) Alabama, settles an interesting point o.
/ Law: Gus Washington married when I
slave in 1s47. with the consent Of biz
! master. and lived with his slave wife till
1866, when, being freedman, he mar
! ried another woman. Since his death
his two wives have set up rival claim,
} to dover interestin his estate, and the
court was called upon to decide which
was the lawful wife. The decision was
! in favor Of the slave wife, and holds that
while slaves we're not competent to con.
J tract valid marriage, this man and wo.