Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-01-11
SOUTH CAROLINA DUELS.
"reminiscences Of the Code Told In the
Capitol.

Washington Special to the Atlanta Constitution.
The subject under discussion was dueling. II
was in the cloak-room of the House Of Repre-
sentatives and quite party Of southern men,
bers we're telling Of the duels they had wit
messed. Some were arguing that the field Of
honor was the proper place to settle disputes
of a serious nature. Others that it was bar
barous practice which, they were glad to say,
had been overruled by popular sentiment The
discussion had been going on for some time
when South Carolinian ended it by relating
the story of a famous duel in that state in which
the noted Preston Brooks figured as one of the
principals.
Most of you have probably read or heard
OF this duel, he said 'but here is the true
story. IL was some time previous to the war.
Whitfield Brooks, the father Of Preston Brooks,
during heated campaign down in South
Carolina, wrote series Of cards on the situa-
ton over nom de plume to an Edgefeld
paper. Lewis 7. Wigfall, a prominent young
lawyer of Edgefeld, took offense at one of these
articles, and demanded from the editor the
name OF its author. The editor complied, and
the result was that Brooks received challenge
from young Wigfall Whitfield Brooks was at
that time about sixty-five years of age. and he
refused to notice the challenge coming from a
mere boy. Wigfall, however, was not satisfied,
and he Immediately posted a notice on the
courthouse door branding Brooks as a coward
Then the fun commenced. Chancellor Car
roll. who was Brooks brother-in-law. saw the
card shortly after it had been posted, and
caught hold of the paper, intending to tear it
down. But Wigfall saw him. and, with pistol
in hand, warned him not to touch the poster.
Carroll and Wigfall had been friends, but
Carroll could not bear this threat. He, how
ever, did not remove the notice, but simply
called Wigfall aside, and, to all appearances,
in a friendly chat, challenged him to mortal
combat at sunrise on the next morning. Wig
fall accepted. and it was arranged to fight on
Walton's island, small piece of land in the
Savannah river. just above Augusta. Hardly
had they completed their arrangements to fight
when Wlgfall saw young man walking toward
the courthouse door. 1t was Tom Byrd, a
young nephew of Whitfield Brooks. He was
making straight for the door to remove the
poster. He had, in fact. caught hold of it,
when Wigfall ran up and said: Byrd, if you
4 reckon two can play at killing replied
Byrd, and as he made the remark commenced
to tear at the paper. But only a small corner
came off. when the report of pistol rang out,
and Byrd dropped to the floor dead The bull
let had pierced his heart.
"Wigfall quietly retired from the scene, and
at sunrise the next morning he and Chancellor
Carroll were standing ten PAGES apart on Wal
tons island, awaiting the word. Fire The
word was given, and both pistols were dis
CudIStu, Dub each DulleG uau missed ltS marx.
The seconds decided to call it draw, and the
combatants shook hands and started for home.
They had just ridden miles and were entering
the little town of Hamburg, across the river
from Augusta, when they were met BY Preston
Brooks. He had been absent from home during
the previous difficulties and had Just heard Of
them. But the fiery Brooks lost no time in
challenging Wigfall for another duel, and it
was arranged then and there that they imme-
diately return to Walton's island and fight to
the death. Both were brave and reckless young
fellows and each wanted the blood of his oppo-
nent. They returned. Ten PAGES were stepped
off and the combatants took their places. Not
muscle in either quivered as they stood await
ing the signal to fire. 1t was given. Two
triggers were pressed at the same instant. Only
one report was heard, but both men fell. The
two shots were simultaneous, and each man had
bullet-hole through his thigh. Neither could
stand to shoot again, and they were taken from
the field. Both, however, afterward recovered.
Brooks came to Congress, and his record here
IN connection with the Gaming of Sumner his
expulsion and subsequent return, is well
known. Wigfall moved out to Texas and the
people OF that state sent him to the United
States Senate in 1859, and when Texas seeded
he was sent to the confederate senate. After
the war he went to London, England, where
he died"