Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-12-27
A FAMILY OF DUELLISTS.
Ex-GOv. Extra Billy Smith and His
Two Fiery Sons.
THE GOVERNORS FAMOUS DUEL WITH STATE SENATOR
wIILIAMS-HIs SON IN A DUEL WITH EDITOR ELUM

THE GOVERNORS FAMOUS DUEL WITH STATE SENATOR
wIILIAMs-HIs SON IN A DUEL WITH EDITOR ELUM.
A dispatch from Alexandria, Va, says: Among
the candidates talked about for the succession to
Rddleberger's seat in the Senate is ey-Gov extra
Billy Smith OF Fauquier county. He got this sur
name by his readiness at any time to run for any
Office. and the willingness. almost amounting to
eagerness. with which he sought participation In
duels, either principal or second. While he was
governor OF Virginia. before the war; he was in his
prime; then he sank into ''InnocuOus desuetude,"
until now he has been resurrected for the senator
ship. And be 1t said that he is ready ever to
enter contest although he is nearly ninety years
old.
Extra Billy has quite duelng record and his
sons have gained distinction in the same line. In
fact the family, taken together. has done more
fighting in the field of honor than perhaps any
family in Virginia. Extra Billy himself, While
student at the University OF Virginia, began his
career as an eXpOunder OF the code by sending
bullet through the wrist OF fellow-student VINO
had insulted him in the classroom. This incident
gave him somewhat OF a reputation, and when he
was admitted to the bar and entered politics he
was treated with marked respect by his political
opponents. Along In 1916 he increased his reputa-
ton by his famous duel with State Senator
Williams This famous duel was the talk of Viz
gtnia at the time, and is well remembered by the
old residents OF this part OF the state. 1t arose
from political quarrel. When the com6atantS
faced each other Smith. who was a crack shot,
asked his opponent cooiy where he wanted to
receive the bullet.
anywhere you can put II, y answered Williams,
defiantly.
every well,r said Smith, 81 know you can't hit
me, and as / don't want to Kill you Will only
make it flesh wound in the Shouider-the right
one"
When the smoke cleared away after the first
Snot smith stood SniDgly examining the barrel
OF MS pistol, while Williams weapon dropped TO
the ground and his pistol arm hung bleeding and
useless at his side. An examination showed that
ne had suffered flesh wound In the right ShOul-
der. Just as his opponent announced beforehand.
In subsequent duelS Extra Billy invariably
asked his opponent where he wanted the bullet,
and complied with all the requests, except in one
case, when he severely wounded a man who was
good shot. and evidently bent ON killing. Still,
smith has never killed man. and has come forth
unacrdtched from all his fights, save for "a broken
finger he received on one occasion
His eldest son, who is now United States attOr-
ney for one OF the territories has a dueling record
which. though not so long his fathers, is event
ful- Besides participating second in several
affairs OF honor and engaging in some blOOdleSS
nights as principal he distinguished himself a few
years ago by severely woundng Mr. w. c. Elan,
late editor of the Richmond Hhi0 The duel is
stu fresh in the publ; memory. II occurred in an
adjoining county, and was as fierce an affair as
virginia has seen for long time. AT the first shot
neither was hurt. A second shot resulted in
trifilng flesh wound to young Smith, who persisted,
however, in lighting ii out. At the third Shot Elam
received disabling wound i'm the hip from which
he has not yet entirely recovered. When President
Cleveland nominated Smith TO his present Office
his dueilng record was brought up by his enemies,
but Mr.. Cleveland did not think ii outaWed man
10 go into the field OF honor, and the Senate did
not find objections either.
a younger son has recently come forth as crack
shot. He has not yet got beyond the honor OF
being second in duel, however, but in that
ontiIry position he showed the qualities which
mark him as worthy of worthy sire.