Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-06-24
BELMONTS DUEL
With Hayward, Fought at Elton, Nd,
in 1s41, as He Tells About 1t
Himself.
A Lady In the Case Whose Name He
Thinks it Would be Indelicate
to Aention.

The account published in the New York |
World, Sunday last, of the duel between Mr.. |
August BELMONT and Mr.. Eiwsrd Hayward, |
which took plscs over forty years ego, has
awakened much general Interest, especially |
among old-time New Yorker, VINO can re-
cali the sensation which the duel caused in
social circles both East and South when the
particular. Of it became known.
Several of Mr.. Belmonts friends have rep
resented that in some minor particulars the
account was net entirely correct, 90 reporter
was instructed to call upon Mr.. Belmont and
obtain from him a correct account OF the al
fair.
Mr.. Belmont responded 10 the request with
characteristic GOOD humor. "The errors" he
said, tin the Words account are very slight
snd belong to the quarrel that preceded the
duel-such as they are, / don't mind pointing
them out. In the first place, there had been
no GOODNESS between Mr.. HAYWARD and my
self before We quarreled. He was planter
from South Csrolins. l had been on lnu-
mate terms with him and the members OF his
family for several years.
"One evening in August, 1S4l Il have for
gotten the exact dAte), was at Nlblo's Gar
den, in one of the corridors OF the theater.
A friend OF mine, Mr.. Lionel Davidson
since dead-was with me. Mr.. Hayward en-
lcI6o huc tHcdlCE dbu APfAOoSASN
greeted US very cordially, striking me smartly
over the shoulder with his cane, exclaiming,
How are you, old feIIowP This shows that
| there had been no previous cooiness between
us.
"Neitber Of us then, am cure, had the
| slightest idea Of what was impending. Mr.
| HAYWARD passed on into the theater. Ny
| friend and 1 seated ourselves at one end Of
the tables in the garden. We entered into &
| friendly conversation. At length he made q
| remark to which / took exceptions. He saiC
L was loo intimate with a particular lady
1t would be indicate in me to mention hel
name. / retorted that his statement was no
true. DO you mean to say that l liep h'
replied, excitedly. you can take it as yoI
plesse,' 1 answered.
"Then he struck me over the head with hi
cane, but the blow was a light one. He di'
not clap me in the face. We then clinche'
and we're separated"
"Had Mr.. Hayward been drinkiRgp
"Wel, yes; he was certainly somswha
under the influence of liquor"
"Next morning l sent MIN peremptor
| challenge, which he accepted, and the due
was the result don't care TO say mucl
| about that We fought at Elton, Nd, q
ten PAGES. / believe l maintained the homo
of my manhood, and my antagonist certain
ly showed no lack of courage. l WAS she
in the right hip, and fell before could dis
charge my pistol. Hayward had his arr
raised at the time the signal gas given.
held my pistol loosely by my SIDE, cous'
quently Hayward was the quickest to tax
, aim and fire.
"Atter my wound had been dressed l Wa
| taken to Philadelphia and was laid up for
, long time. Che ball was extracted thrt
weeks after had been shot. l am satishe
/. the wound was not properly treated. Ossif
| cation of the bone set ID, and, ss you see,
| am still slightly lame.
I 81 wish to mention that Hsyward's rel;
tives tended me most cheerfully and kind
q during my illness. My relations with thel
: for many years after were OF the most cords
3 nature. Mr.. Hayward died down S9ui
| | some years later. | was Only tEenty-ioJ
:. | years old st the time of the duel. My Of
: ponent was not twenty hve."
[ "Does your wound now cause you muc
4 inconvenience
o "WelI, for all the wealth OF The Roth
v childs, the Astors and the Vanderbilt" r
!: piled Mr.. Belmont, smiling, 81 could NJ
e reach my right foot with my right han
That uulucky shot spoiled me for the on
thing ever could do well, and that was ri
ing horse. / used to be very fond Of III
|. exercise. Nevertheless, my feelings have 4
! ways remained youthful, and perhaps tn
>. may have helped me-"