The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1883-07-25
THE DAYS on FoRTY.NINH.

et'of'-
THE DAYS OF FORTY.NINE.
Rseousct4ous OF an Army-omeer La CALI
fornia--Early Duels and Dueiists.
1 believe that the first duel on the
coast was between chap from New
York, who had been midshipman in
the navy, and Southerner. It took
place In the old presidio, or cemetery,
one was killed, but blood was drawn.
The feeling was intense between men
from the two sections, the Southerners
treating the Yankees with contempt,
and the Yankees resenting il with spirit
The Southerners imagined that the
Yankees would not fight, but found
they were mistaken. Although they
were opposed to the code, they did not
propose to be bullied, so it came about
that nearly every personal difficulty was
settled in that manner.
The first duel that I was concerned in
was between young man from Phila-
delphia, named Graham, and General
Walker, afterward of Nicaragua fame
It grew out OF violent attack on the
County Court, of which Judge Morrison
was the head, in the San Francisco
Herald, by Walker, who was one of the
editors. Young Graham was protege
:. of Judge MorTison, and without con-
sulting him he wrote a very denuncia-
tory letter to Walker, which resulted in
challenge Graham had the choice of
weapons, and he chose revolvers, at
eight PAGES, at the word to advance and
fire until either or both of the parties
were killed % At that time was sta
toned at Sacramento, and one evening
received letter from Graham begging
me for Gods sake to come down on the
first boat, that he was in trouble and
wanted me at once. I got ready as
quickly as possible and caught the even-
ing boat wondering what sort of .
scrape Graham had got himself into,
never dreaming of duel I arrived at
San Francisco late at night and went at
once to Graham's room, where I found
him IN consultation with his friends. /
was there informed of what had occurred,
and the pleasant news was impaired to
me that had been chosen his fighting
second Here was row between two
men, with neither of whom had more
than 3 slight acquaintance, and in
whom had no particular interest. The
terms were unusually sanguinary, and
the affair would probably terminate in
the death of one or both. Under the
code, If one of the principals showed
the white feather his second was
obliged TO take his place and fight it
out. 1t was situation that did not
relish in the least. knew that Wal
ker was regular fire-eater, and would
fight to the death, but Graham i was
not exactly sure of. His terms were
bloody enough, but then he had never
been tried. and If the. thing went on he
might weaken and have to takesit up.
labored with him to obtain some mod
iication of his terms. told him that
they were so sanguinary that Walker
would be justified in declining them.
We sat up all night, and tried our best
to bring about peaceable adjustment,
but It was no use. The fight was to
come off at nine o'clock in the morn
ing, and, finding no escape, / was
obliged to make the best of it. We
had our breakfast and took q carriage
for the dueling ground. On the way
Graham told me that he was a dead
shot, and that he intended to kill Wal
ker on the first fire. halted the car
rage, and told him that would not go
q step further If that was his purpose.
II he were the expert marksman that
be claimed to be It would be little less
than murder, and proposed to wash
my hands of the affair unless he would
promise to wing his man instead of
killing him At last he agreed to it.
and we went ahead On the ground we
found Walker and his second, who was
Captain 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 to foot,
without particle of white anywhere
visible. Walker was in q blue swallow
tailed coat, with buff vest and black
pants His coat was buttoned, and be
low the breast the light line of his vest
could be seen. The impending fight
was known to the whole of San Fran
cisco, and, as It was Sunday, not less
than 5000 people were on the ground
TO witness the sport. Among the most
interested spectators was Alexander
Wells, then Chief-J 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 readyp Fire
one. two, three, haltr' At the word
both wheeled and fired. Walker stood
still. but Graham advanced one pace
and both fired again After this
called halt and tried to bring about 8
compromise, but was not successful
Walker had his blood up and proposed
to kill or be killed then and there.
went to Graham and told him that al
parleying was at an end; that Walker
proposed to kill him if he could, ant
that absolved him from the promiss
made in the carriage, as he must fghi
for his life. I remember distinctly how
excited the Chief-Justice became as hs
rushed up and down the line, swinging
his arms and crying to the crowd
.Keep out of the line of fire, gentle
men; keep out of the line of fire. A
last the word was given, both pistol
cracked, and Walker spun around OF
bis heel and fell into Folsom's arms
They tore open his clothing and found
that the ball had entered the body jus
where the white line of vest showed be
low the coat 1t was supposed OF cours'
that It had passed through the bowels
as if came out on the opposite side, bu
= was afterward ascertained, upon I
&refuI examination, that by mos
Srtunate accident it had glanced ant
run around the lining of the abdomen
fust under the skin, so that the woun'
was in reality but slight Both wer
satisfied and became warm friends
Graham accompanied Walker on hi
Eicaracua expedition and was hle'
there.
The mania for dueling became gener
IL There was q recklessness of humal
Life and savagery born OF thus pnnglnI
together of adventurous spirits nom -