The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1885-11-10
WITH A SILVER t
How the Editor Killed the
Colonel in q Duel.
A Valuable Relic and the Tragic Story
that is Connected With It.

VI WY
street. has in his possession a valuable
relic. 1t is q silver-mounted pistol
which In a celebrated duel fought in
1915 at Pittsburgh, was given Mr..
McElheny by the eminent Judge
Wilkins, who was secretary of war
and minister of the United States to
Russia. The weapon is of old style,
using powder and ball instead of a
cartridge. When all the arrangements
were made for the duel the seconds of
The contestants ordered the pistols to
be made there not being anything suit
able to be found. The order was civ
en- to a gunsmith to have them made
fifteen inches long, one-fourth.inch
bore. silver-mounted. with name of
lighters engraved upon the protectors
OF the triggers. The protector, trig-
ger, and hammer of this ear are
made of solid silver, ami, being large
hdd to its value. The one in Mr..
McElheny's possession has engraved
upon it.: &c Pendland. Pittsburgh, Pa,
1915 The weapon is certainly of a
curious make to those Of the present
day, and it is also supposed that there
Is not another of the same pattern in
existence. having been made in a diff
ferent style from those that were even
then used.
When Gen. Anthony Wayne was on
his way to the northwest with an
army to settle a dispute with the Indi-
ans they stopped at this city for rest.
Col. Bates, one of Gen. Wayne's staff,
was criticised by Elijah Pendland, edi-
itor of a Pittsburgh paper, saying in
the article published that he was not
tit to be an army officer. Col. Bates,
reading this. naturally wished to be
revenged. He decided to watch for
him on a principal street of the city
and h%orsewhip him. He also chose
the time when there would be a.crowd
on tile t~horoughfare to witness the
chastisemeni 1t happened on q Sat
urday In the latter part of December,
1915. Stationed on the corner of two
leading streets. about S o'clock, with
arms folded, was Col. Bates, in uni
form OF the United States army, look
ing around as though just idling his
time, but some person must have told
the secret, for as soon as he stopped a
crowd began to collect, and in about
live minutes the street was blocked.
Editor Pendland was walking SLOWLY
down the street when he saw the
crowd gather, and, always on the look.
out for news, lie hurried down and
was soon making his way through,
asking what was wrong. when Col.
Bates loosened his cape and produced
a large whip. He shouted: This is
what is ;wrong" at the same time
striking Mr.. Pendland across the
shoulders, and continued to exercise
himself in that way till the crowd in
terfered. Then Mr.. Pendland, with a
smile and a "Thank you," left as did
also Col'Bates. s
When Mr. Pendland reached the
office he sent a challenge to the colonel,
but 1t was refused, with the reason
that the colonel never fought with a
person' whom he had horsewhipped.
Mr.. Pendland was not to be put off
with such an excuse, but sent the
second challenge, telling him he was a
coward If he then refused to fight, but
again the answer was the same.
Frank Smith, who had taken both
messages and who was a firm friend
of Mr.. Pendland, then sent a challenge,
saying that he would fight. and, there
being no reason why he should refuse.
it was accepted, Mr.. Smith giving Col.
Bates choice of weapons. When MI.
Pendland heard what Mr.. Smith had
done he Immediately offered himself
as a second. Col. Bates secured as his
second Judge Wilkins, who had lust
at that time been admitted to the bar.
All arrangements were made. Mention
Is made above Of the name of Mr..
Pendland being engraved on one of
the pistols. The reason is that he was
n OF the most interested parties.
The day on which was to be decided
which OF the two men was the best
shot was cold and wintry, the snow
being six inches deep. Sleighs were