Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1883-08-02
DETERMINED DUELIsIs.
The Hostile Meeting Between Graham
and walker.

Nt'N' DN"''-'"tf a Ollg g--Nih'i Bi'''
some interesting recOllections of old
time duels on the western coast. Him
self an adherent of the code Of honor
that demanded reparation for real or
fancied insult, the details OF the duel
rs related by one of the participants,
Is unusually interesting. He says:
The first duel that | was concerned
In was between young man from
Philadelphia, named Graham. and
General Walker afterwards Of Nicara-
qua fame. 1t grew out Of violent
attack on the county court, OF which
Judge Morrison was the head, in the
San Francisco Heraid, by Walker. who
was one Of the editors. Young
Graham was a protege Of Judge
Morrison, and without consulting him
he wrote very denunciatory letter to
Walker, which resulted in "A challenge.
Graham had the choice of weapons
and he chose rcyolycrs, at eight PAGES;
at the word 20 advance and fire until
either or both of the parties were
killed. At that time | was stationed
at Sacramento, and one evening | re-
ceiyed letter from Graham begging
me for Gods sake 10 come down on the
first boat, that he was in trouble and
wanted me at once. | got ready as
quickly az possible and caught the
evening boat. wondering what sort Of
a scrape Graham had got himself into,
never dreaming Of duel. / arrived
at san Francisco late AT night and
went at once 20 Graham's room. whore
found him in consultation with his
friends. / was there informed of
wha: had occurred. and the pleasant
news was impaired 10 me that | had
been chosen his hghting second. Here
was row between two men, with
either Of whom / had but slight a.
quaintanCe. and IN whom ! had no par
ticular interest The terms were un-
usually sanguinary and the affair
would probably terminate in the death
Of one or both. Under the cpdc IL one
~ the principals showed the whit"
feather his second Was obliged t. takc
his place and hght it out Il Was .
situation that | did not relish in th'
least. knew that Walker was a reg
ular fire eater and would fight 70 the
death. but Graham was not exactly
suTeof IIistcrms were bloody enough,
but then hc had never been tried, and
# the thing went On. he might weaken
and have % take u up | laborei
with him 20 obtain some modification
Of his terms told him that they
were 80 sanguinary that Walker would
be justified n declining them. We sat
up all night. and triei our best - bring
about a pcaccah,c adjustment, but il
was ~ no use. The fight was 10 come
of At g o'clock In the morning, and,
finding no escape. was obliged tp
make the best II It. We had our
breakfast and took a carriage for the
dueling grounds. on the way Graham
told me that he was a dead shot. and
that he intended to Kill Walker on the
first FIRE. / halted the carriage. and
told him ] would not 60 a step further
If that was his purpose. II he were
the expert marksmAn that he claimed
to be It would be little les, than muir
der, and proposed to wash my hands
OF the affair unless he would promise
to wing his man instead " killing him.
At last ho agreed 10 It. and we went
ahead. On the ground We found
Walker and his second, who was Cap
tain Folsom, Of the army. / tried to
effect an adjustment Of the difficulty.
but without success ! had taken the
precaution to dress my man in black
from head 20 foot. without a particle
Of white anywhere visible Walker
was in a blue swallow tailed coat. with
buff vest and black pants. His coat
was buttoned. and below his breast the
light line Of his vest could be seen
The impending fight was known to the
whole Of san Francisco. and, as it was
Sunday. not less than 5000 people were
on the grounds. Among the most in
terested spectators was Alexander
Wells, then Chief Justice Of California
The ground was measured. pegs
driven, and won the word. The men
were placed in position and the signal
given: "Gentlemen. are YOU ready :
Fire. one. two. three. halt" At the
word both wheeled and fired. Walker
stood still. but Graham advanced one
pace and both fred again. After this