The state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1883-1893, 1889-08-16
SHOT AT THE MOON.
TIL f NJ AN IN TIE MOON WAS KILL.
ED All THE FIRST SHOT.
Two Prominent GeOrgians Make 7 hem-
selves Ridiculous by Pretending to
Fight Duel.

Two Prominent Georsians Make hem
selves Ridiculous by Pretending to
Fight Il Duel.
The whole country is either disgusted or
laughing at a SO called duel which took
place between two prominent citizens of
Georgia in the cleaning Oh last Saturday.
1t was sensation that promised much
and ended liz smoke
''They began their repast with pistols end
coffee
But ended it up with wind pudding and
tatfy."
The contracting parties were Mr.. Pat
rick Calhoun, general counsel for he West
Point Terminal Road, and j. ID. William
son, President of the Chattanooga, Rome
~ CarrOlltOn road. The scene OF the fight
was just two hundred yards Off the Geor-
gla line in Alabama. The trouble grew
out of Wiliamson's denouncng a state
ment made by Calhoun before LeyIs!;.-
1--we Committee as false. Capt. Harry Jack
son, Of Atlanta, was Calhoun's second and
Capt. Jack King, of Rome, was William
son. $ second.
They had an exciting time reaching the
place arranged for the duel. The Calhoun
party registered at Admission under assuln-
ed names. President Williams on worked
as fireman on his train in order to escape
detection. Governor Gordon tel. s,raph6d
to all the Sheritfs along the lines OF the
railroads to arrest Calhoun and William
son on sight. He also wired to Gov. Tay-
lOr, of Tennessee, and Gov. Lowry, OF Ala
bama, requesting their aid III running
them down.
The following, from the Atlanta COnsti-
tuition, is the account OF the duel. The
parties were l. PAGES distant from each
other and 1t was nearly dark when the
firing began. The Constitution says:
Mr.. King then took one pistol and Capt
Harry jackson the other. Mr.. King plac-
ed his i'll Nr. Williamson's hand. Capt.
Harry jackson walked over and handed
his to Mr.. Calhoun. The two seconds took
their positions. They faced each other,
Capt Jackson on the north side OF the line,
aud Mr.. King on the south side. Mr.. VIII
hanson raised his to examine i, when
Capt. Jackson cried out:
"Hola that hand down ct your side"
Mr. williamson Immediately dropped it
without word.
Col. Seay Calls for Peace.
Then Col. John Seay, Of Rome, r,,>hed
in and begged the seconds to settle the
matter and not allow the fight.
1T is a shame, he said. ito haze two
such fine men stand up here and shoot 1T
one another
The seconds could not agree upon a set
tlement. and so announced
Then | shall stand between fhelu."
said Col Seay, as he took his stand right
in front of Mr. williamson He wls ~
moved by main force. Then for full? ten
seconds here was not Il sound
1t had been arranged that each princi-
pal Was allowed to empty his pia,ol-to
shoot five times. Suddenly Jack Kings
voice rang out:
Are you ready, gentlemen =
Yes" answered both.
Then fire.
The Firs; shots
were Simultaneous, and the flames and
sparks thar flew from the pistol barrels IL
Illuminated the scene for just an instant
Mr. Williamson emptied his revolver, Tie
five shots being fired very rapidly. Mr.
Calhoun fired only once, and then slowly
lowered his pistol as Mr. William8on's bul-
lets We're whistling past his head.
Are you hurt, Pat 2" some one cried.
NO, sir, he coolly replied.
"Williamson, did he hit you ,,ske'! Mr.
King.
u was not touched.
In the Cleaning.
Right here the scene was picturesque
Both gentlemen, with smoking pistols in
their hands, stood AS calm as statues. Mr..
Calhoun wore a suit of dark clothes. sack
coat and a smoking cap. Mr. williamson
was also dressed in dark sack suit, and
his head was covered with tan colored
travelling hat.
Then for few minutes not another
word was said either by principals, sec
onds or spectators. The scene 1T that time
was never equaled in an affair of this kind.
1t was dark, and to al observer fifty yards
off the little crowd of dozen witnesses Oh
the edge of the grounds, with the princi-
pals and seconds facing each other, the
principals each bearing smoking revOtvers
and appearing against a back ground of
dense lark woods, formed a weird and
picturesque scene, the equal of which will
never again be witnessed.
The Demand for Retraction.
The silence was quickly broken by the
ringing voice of Mr.. Calhoun:
Mr.. williamson" he said, 81 haye four
remaining balls which | have the right to
fire al you. now ask if you will with
draw the statement you made before the
Legislative committee p
Il WILL" replied Mr. Williamson, in a
clear voice, provided you will say that
you intended no personal reflection upon
me "
The spectators drew a little nearer to
hear and see better. Mr.. Calhoun then
said:
when made those statements I did
it to impress upon the Legislature that your
railroad had been offered the Central.
viii you withdraw your statements |
say this, holding four balls i'll my pistol
which have the right to fire. | have 40
desire 10 take Mr. Wiliamson's life"
II will withdraw it, replied Mr.. Will
hanson, 'when YOU say sou meant 40
personal retiection.'
What | said, Mr.. Calhoun replied, lis
that | wanted the Legislature to under
stand that your road was offered the Cen
trail in 1887 You came to the kimball
House to see me. Do you remember that?
All | want before firing my remaining
balls is for you to say that You came to my
Office in 1887"
Mr.. Williamson stood firm, and said,
turning towards his seconds, that he want
ed Judge Tompkins to come from the car
and decide as to how the shooting should
be continued. The judge was familiar
with the code.
Mr.. Calhoun, in clear voice:
"Wiil you Internationally withdraw
your statements made before the legis la
ture?''
Mr.. Williamson, equally as firm: 81
will do so, provided you meant no person
al reflection"
Mr.. Calhoun-'I want Mr. Williamson
to understand that l want an uncondition-
al -;fb n