Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-08-23
AN OLD-TIME DUEL.
The Meeting Between j. w. Webb
and T.. T.. Marshall.
From tie phiIndelphfa Timfs.

/ From the PhiJadelDhia Tia'ts.
political differences are settled easier
/ nowadays than they were half-century
ago." said an old gray-haired statesman
10 a Times reporter yesterday. 81 re-
member very distinctly" be continued,
when James Watson Webb, one of the
great editors of the olden time, lay wound
ed at the United States Hotel, on Chess
nut street, near Fourth. lie was shot IN
a duel within twenty five miles OF
the city by "a Kentucky statesman, Col.
Thomas f. Marshall, son OF Chief Justice
Marshall. That was fortv-four years ago
this summer. The duel took place early
in the morning in lonely
field skirting the Delaware State
line. below Marcus Hook. Josiah Ran
dali, ex- Speaker Randalrs father, was
one OF the participants. An Ill feeling
had arisen from a Congressional debate
on the repeal of the bankruptcy bill of
1871. About the same time Monroe Ed
wards was convicted in New York of
forging drafts TO the tune of 100000 on
bankers and others in that metropolis.
Among those who defended Edwards in
court was Col. Tom Marshall. An edi-
tOrial paragraph from the pen of Col.
Webb. published In the New York Courier
and Enquirer during the famous tlial,
read as follows: we learn that Hon. j.
+. Marshall, after wandering about the
country for some thirty days, lecturing
on temperance and giving his eX-
perience as a devotee Of the bottle, has
returned to defend the notorious Monroe
Edwards. For his forty days absence
he will draw from the Treasury 1920 for
making n mountebank of himself and de-
voting his time in advocating the claims
of notorious scouudrel.' In addressing
the jury Marshall adverted to this attack,
and spoke in meaning way Of charges
made against him aud fellow members in
receiving, by way of bribery. British coin
to the music Of 500. 900 apiece. The de-
feat of his client and other grievances
were too much for Southern blood, aud
the satisfaction then usually eXacted
among gentlemen was demanded"
THE DUEL ARRANGED.
After some skirmishing a meeting was
held III Wilmington and prelininaries sell
tied. The arrival of the parties becoming
nOIsed abroad, by clear recourse to
strategem they out-maneuvred legal vigil
lance. DR.. Carr and DR.. Gibson, son of
Prof. Gibson, Of this city, waited on The
siX-fOot-twn kentuckian. while Mai. Nor
ell, proprietor of the Courier, aud DR..
Tucker, Nirginian. then residing there,
did the hOnors for Col. Webb. Josiah Ran
He was then, like Gpl. Webb, a stanch
Wing. By daybreak ten PAGES were
measured off and steAle placed at the
extremltles OF the line Mai. Morell tossed
a coin tor choice of position. The sill
yer, falling Ia the grass. caused some
controversy, but Marshall settled it by
impatientiy calling out to his second:
tive it 10 them, doctor. | came here to
have a shot at him, and do not mean to
be bafhed by trifes." I'VE ask you to
give nothing" proudly answered the
Major. 1--WE ask but what is right"
Again the coin spunupwards aud fortune
was again with the New Yorker. Tue
duelists and their friends were searched,
according TO stipulation. "Gentlemen.
are you readyp sung out the Major, as
the sun was struggling into light. 81
am" said the Colonel. 81 am mot" put
in Marshall, now the object of general OBJ
servatlon. With a searching EARNEST look
at Col. Webb, he flung off his coat and
slowly lifted his hat and tossed it aside.
NOW, sir, am ready." The Major dis
tinctly commanded: "Fire-one, two
three" The simultaneous report made
some believe at first that only one had
fired. Both were wide of the mark.