The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1886-04-07
The Hunt Poindexter puel.

The interesting historical notes Of our
venerable correspondent, A. II. Watkins
Esq, include a reference 70 the Hunt.
Poindexter dael Col Claiborne, in hi-
History Of Mississippi, makes the follow.
ing full mention Of this tragic event:
In 1911, one 81 the most unhappy
events OF his lie occurred Ibis duel
with Abijah Hunt.
Mr.. Haut was native OF New jersey,
and come early O. Ohio, thence 70 this
Territory, and had become the most ex-
tensiye merchant ia il. He had large
establishments and public cotton gins
1t Natchez, Washington, Greenyille,
Port Gibson and Big Black, and By his
capital, enterprise and Intelligence ex-
erred great social and political influence.
lie wa- man Of high personal charac
ter, and a decided partisan OF what WAS
then known a. the Federal party He
took an active part against POindexter,
and iudulged in some expressions, which,
IA the then state of public sentiment,
could not be submitted 70. Parties were
not wanted 20 aggrayate Poiudexter,
who, being "a Nirginian, did not need
much squirting: aud some Of these who
bitterly hated him were anxious 10 have
him shot, even though j. risked the life
Of one OF their most influential leaders.
who had the usual scruples of his race
against dueiiing.
Both parties being on the Louisiana
side of the river, the following terms
we're agreed upon:
WIN. G. Mead, on the part Of George
Poindexter, Esq, and Eoenezer Bradish,
on the part of Abijah Hunt, Esq, adopt
and agree to the following terms for the
meeting about 10 take place:
/. The ground shall be measured in
pres nee Of the seconds, and their prin-
cipals and shall then be placed at ten
PAGES apar. facing each other.
. The seconds in presence Of each
other shall charge two pistols with pow
der and one ball each.
3. These pistols shall be placed in the
hands Of the principals at their posts
by their respective seconds, and shall be
held with the muzzle down.
f. The giving of the word shall then
be decided by lot. The second who wins
the privilege, shall t. en- say, slowly and
distinctly Gentlemen, are you ready
Ii both principals answer " We are" he
9AAeNAA LAi'A PtbNNANA tiAAEs INV WV
thrce-6rew
5. After the word ''ons" has been pro-
nounced the principals may elevate
their pistols, but if either shall raise it
from its perpen@icular position before
the word one the second of the opposite
party shall snoot him.
q. If either OF the principals shall
discharge his pistol before the word fire,
or shall withhold his shot after the word
fre, and then attempt to fire at his ad-
versary, the second of the latter shall
shoot him down.
7. The parties shall remain on the
field until the challenging party shall
declarge himself satisfied, or until one
of the parties shall be too much dis
abled to continue the fight.
s. A snap or fash OF the pistol shall
be considered a fire.
WM. c. MEAD.
June 8th, 1911. f.. BRADish.
This cartel evidently meant business.
The seconds we're both what would be
now called fire eaters. Bradish was d
New Yorker, lOyaiist, and had held a
commission in the army from John
Adams, and like most OF the officers of
that day, was n high strung Federalist,
aud fierce aud passionate. Mead was a
Georgian, had likewise been in the army
under a commission from Jefferson, and
was an ardent Republican His coad
Jutor, Jos. K. Peyton, a Virginian, was
at that time lieutenant in the United
States Army. Elijah Smith, Il highly
respectable citizen, Was present, as a
friend of Mr.. Hunt. The meeting took
place on the grounds of Maj. Stephen
Minor, about a mile above the port of
Concord, (the present Nidalia)
Capt. Bradish won the word AMI gave
it Two pistol shots were heard, and
Mr.. Hunt received wound in the alb
domen, which in few hours terminated
his life