The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1888-04-11
CHALLENGED TO FIGHT.
An Unpublished Romance in the Aace
Banker Corcoran's Career.

bSnk0E SOECOC al . Sts1ooA'
Few know or remember, perhaps, that the
deceased Washington philanthropist, Mr..
". W. Corcoran, once in his life had been
challenged to duel, says the New York
Tslegram. Strange as it may seem, this IN
offensive, prudent, benevolent and wealthy
banker was called upon to fight with
deadly weapons according to the dueling
code.
While duels take place sometimes be-
tween hotspur politicians and those IN
high public station, professional men, or
others who assume to be gentlemen, they
are almost unknown among the class OF
people engaged in banking and large busi-
ness transactions to which Mr.. Corcoran be-
longed.
But the challenger was of different
class. He was proud young Spanlard,
holding an Official position in this country
for his Government, who imagined he was
bound to maintain the dignity Of his name,
character and station by demanding sats-
faction at the point of the sword or mouth
of the pistol for having been roughly treat
ed and humiliated by Mr. Corcoran.
This gentleman was Mr.. Murnaga, the
Secretary of the Spanish Legation IN Wash
ington at the time Mr.. Tassara was Min
;stera and while Nj. Buchanan was Presl-
dent Of the United States. The present
Spanish Minister at Washington, Senior
Don Emilio de Murnaga, presumably is the
same person, for he has in full the same
name.
In the circumstances which led to the
challenge and in subsequent events con-
corning those who were connected with the
difficulty there is story as interesting as
a romance.
(: Mr.. Corcoran had a daughter, an only
child, who had just reached the age Of wom-
anhood. He being rich, there was no heir
ess in the country then, probably, with the
prospect Of inheriting larger fortune than
Miss Corcoran. She had been brought up
with great care and had all the advantages
that wealth could bring to q young lady
under rather strict though affectionate
guardianship.
Being delicate, her father deemed 1t pru-
dent not to overtax her with study; hence,
while she was we'll educated, she was not
remarkable for accomplishments or intel
lectual ability. She was, however, SEN
sible, good, gentle and sweet-natured young
woman.
Her father, in his great love for her, ap-
peared to be overcareful and restrictive, SO
that she saw little society except such as he
entertained at their residence, and her hfe,
therefore. was too much like that OF a re-
cluse. For the benefit of her health she
was accustomed to ride horseback along the
roads outside of the city, and, whether
friends were with her or not, she was at
tended by groom.
Mr.. Murnaga, who was good-looking and
an accomplished little fellow, and always
well dressed, used to ride in the same d.
rection as Miss Corcoran. By some means,
whether in regular form or not, he became
acquainted with her, and this acquaintance
ripened into love in the young lady, at least,
for she admitted Murnaga to stolen or secret
interviews, which she would hardly have
done had she not been fond Of him.
Miss Corcoran evidently was afraid to let
her father know she had lover, particu-
larry as the gentleman was foreigner and
held no higher position than that OF Secre-
tary Of Legation. The residence Of the
Spanish Minister, where Mr.. Murraga
lived, was on street near that Of MIR. Cor
coran, and, therefore, convenient for the
lovers to meet when the way was clear.
When Mr.. Corcoran was supposed to be
safely away from home Miss Corcoran re-
ceived Mr. Murnaga in her drawing-room
or parlor Eow often these stolen meetings
were repeated is not known. At last Mr..
.Corcoran heard Of them and determined at
once to break the acquaintance Of his daugh-
ter with the Spaniard.
One Of the most prominent public men in
the country at that time was Jesse Bright,
United States Senator from Indiana, and he
was particular friend Of Mr.. Corcoran. To
him, therefore, the angry banker went for
advice. Having trusty lnformer, plan
was devised to pounce upon the unsuspect-
ing lovers at the time the Spanish Secre-
tary might be in the house of Mr. Corcoran.
The opportunity soon came, and Mr.. Cor
:coran, accompanied by Senator Bright, re-
turned home unexpectedly. In terror Miss
.Corcoran urged Murnaga to hide himself
under the piano. But her father knew ne
was in the house, and, after searching few
minutes, dragged him from his hiding-place
and hustled him out Of the house in rough
manner.
This was humiliating, of course, to proud
Spaniard, and Mr.. Murnaga, after consult
ing with friends, sent a challenge to Mr..
COrCOcan- among LneSe 1rleuuS was oAo
who visited and dlned frequently with the
Spanish Minister. This was Mr.. John
Eustis, Representative in Congress from
Louisiana, and a refined, charming and
handsome gentleman, who had hardly
reached the middle age Of life. Had duel
been fought he probably would have partici-
pated as second of Murnaga Or a witness.
To the friends of Mr.. Corcoran, as well as
to that gentleman himself, no doubt, the
idea Of accepting challenge to fight a duel
under the circumstances appeared absurd.
In fact, the thought of this venerable and
benevolent man Of sixty years of age fight
ing duel under any circumstances could
not be entertained for moment.
It was understood that Mr.. Murnaga and
Miss Corcoran never saw each other after
this distressing and abrupt check to their
courtship An intimation was made IN
formally and kindly to the Spanish Minister
and his Government, either by Mr. Buchan-
an or some others in high station, that it
might be well to remove Mr.. Murnaga to
another post, and notlong after that gentle
man left the United States. Possibly he