Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1886-09-10
An OId-Tlme Duel.

| An Old-Tlme Duel.
! l remember distinctly when James
! Watson Webb, one Of the great edi-
ors OF the olden time, lay wounded
It the United States Hotel, on Chest
nut street near Fourth. He was shot
duel within twenty-five miles OF
he city by Kentucky statesman,
,olonel Thomas F. Marshall, son of
chief Justice Marshall. That was
| hirty-four years ago this summer
The duel took place early in the morn
ng in a lonely field skirting the Della
, ware State line, below Marcus Hook.
Josiah Randall, ex-Speaker Randall
ather, was one OF the participants.
! An ill-feeleng had arisen from a Con-
Fessional debate on the repeal OF the
bankruptcy bill of 1S41. About the
anne time Monroe Edwards was con-
1icted in New York OF forging drafts
% the tune OF 100000 on bankers
Ind others of that metropolis.
Among those who defended Edwards
n Court was Colonel Tom Marshall
IN editorial paragraph from the pen
II Colonel Webb, published in the New
FORK Courier and Enquirer during the
amous trial, read as follows: ave
earn that the Hon. F. Marshall, after
wandering about the country for some
thirty days, lecturins on temperance
md giving his experience as devotee
II the bottle, has returned to defend
The notorious Monroe Edwards. For
lis forty days absence he withdrew
rom the Treasury $500 for making a
nountebank OF himself and devoting
lis time in advocating the claims of a
notorious scoundrel." In addressing
he jury Marshall adverted to this at
;ack, and spoke in a. meaning way OF
:harges made against him and fellow
members in receiving by way OF bribery,
British coin to the music OF one hun
1red thousand dollars apiece. The
leteat Of his client and other grievan-
:es were too much for Southern blood,
ind the satisfaction then usually ex~
lcted among gentlemen was demand
ID.
After some diminishing a meeting
vas held in Wilmington, and prelimin-
lries settled. The arrival OF the par
lies becoming noised abroad, by a clear
'ecourse to strategem they out-ma-
leuvered legal vigilance. Dr. Carr and
0r. Gibson, son OF Prof. Gibson, of this
lily, waited on the six-foot-two Ken
;uckian while Major Morell, A proprie-
:or OF the Courier, and DR.. Tucker, a
Virginian, then residing here, did the
>onors for Colonel Webb. Josiah
Randall was present as g. friend OF the
ditor. He was then like Colonel
Webb, sraunch wing. BY daybrea k
ZEN PAGES were measured of and stone
placed at the extremities Of the line
Major Morrell tossed a coin for choice
II position.
The silver falling in the grass caused
'onle controversy, but Marshall set
led it by impatiently calling out to
lis second, "Give it to them, Doc
;or. l came here to have shot at
lim, and / do not mean to be batf1ed
~ trihes.' 1--WE ask you to give
,othing," proudly answered the Ma
or. awe ask but what is our right. u
Again the coin spun upwards. and
ortune was again with the New York
It. The duelists and their friends were
searched according to stipulation.
Gentlemen are you ready?' sang out
he Major, as the sun was struggling
nto hit. 81 am," said the Colonel.
I am not" put in Marshall, now the
object OF general observation. With
searching, earnest look at Colonel
Webb, he flung off his coat and slowly
lifted his hat and tossed it aside.
Now, sir, l am ready" The Major
distinctly commanded: "Fire-one,
;wo, three" The simultaneous re-
,ort made some believe at first that
only one had fired. Both were wide
II the mark.
another shot!" shouted Marshall,
:aising his pistol. Again came the
! signal and Colonel Webb was prevent
ID from failing by one OF the seconds.
-pon the surgeon reporting to Mar
hall that Colonel Webb was wounded
5elow the knee, he Numbered out:
Hit in the knee! It is the damnedest
owest act OF my life. We must ex-
change another shot; that man has in
urcd me more than any being on
!arth. Ii he can stand l expect and
demand that we shall exchange fire
again" The bystanders interposing,
he matter was left to the surgeons
decision. who madeit understood that
twas impossible, owing to theCo!oneP g
:ond: ton, to continue the matter at
; present. The irate SOutherner there
'pon shrugged his shoulders and OBJ
'erved: I'VE have no further business
,ere and may as we'll return to the
lOtel.'
Colonel Webb, ON learning Of the de-
nand made for third shot, remark
ID: Il have entertained no unkind
ceilings toward Mr.. Marshall at any
lime, nor do now feel unkindiy to-
ward him. l do not know why
le should bear such uncompromising
malice toward me- When Marshall
'eturned to the hotel he covered down
somewhat and made inquiry OF Mr..
Randall as to the extent OF Colonel
Nebb's injuries. His subsequent ca
'eer lost much OF its brilliancy by g.
90 free use ofstin,ulants. The wound
d Colonel was laid up for some time
n the L. S. Hotel. He took it good.
,aturedly, and, upon one occasion,
Re facetiously remarked: II am con
med to bed under Marshall law. "Un-
Ter the statutes Of the state OF New
York he was tried and convicted, but
executive clemency beng evoked. in.
;erposed in his behalf. Colonel Webb
vas appointed Minister to Brazil by
President Lincoln, and while in that
position he is credited with obtaining
settlement OF the claims Of the Unit
d States against that country, and
II being instrumental, through his i'll
:inacy with Napoleon Ill.,, Of having
he French troops withdrawn from
Mexico.
The Frontier Photographer.