The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1889-08-21
THAT GEORGIA DUEL.
Two Brave Men-Eow the Difficulty
Was Finally Adjusted Without Blood

shed.
ATLANTA, August 12-The duel be-
tween Mr.. Patrick Calhoun and Mr.. j.
D. Williamson, both prominent railroad
men, is still the sensation Of the hour.
1t was fought at 7:20 last evening, just
200 yards across the Georgia line in
Alabama. 1t was on the Rome and De-
catur Railroad, and the hour for the
fight was delayed on account of their
being chased by sheriffs and armed
posses at every station. At dark the
men were placed in position in small
open space on the edge of dense woods,
and within fifty yards of the railroad
track. They stood exactly twelve PAGES
apart, both perfectly calm and cool.
Capt. Harry Jackson, Mr.. Calhoun. S
second, and Mr.. Jack King, Mr.. Viii
liarlson's second, then put the car
tridges in two self cooking, hammerless,
fve-shooting Smith l. WeSson revolverS.
The agreement was that each principal,
at the word, should be allowed to empty
his revolver, or shoot FIVE times.
Mr.. Williamson stood with the limbs
of a scrub oak almost touching his face,
while Mr.. Calhoun stood in the open
space. The pistols were placed in their
hands. The seconds stepped aside, and
Mir King asked:
''Gentlemen, are you ready2"
Both replied: "Yes."
':Then fire." he said.
In rapid succession six shots rang out.
Then the firiug ceased, and both men
remained firm. Neither had been
touched. Mr.. Williamson had fired all
FIVE of his shots, while Mr.. Calhoun
only fred once, his ball cutting the twig
that touched Mr.. Williamson's check.
Mr.. Williamson evidently shot to kill,
but tried to shoot too fast, and there
fore missed his man. Mr.. Calhoun, who
is dead shot, having in his practice in
the morning turned a half dollar three
out of five times at twenty PAGES, and
who was as cool as if in target prac-
tice, apparently did not try to hit his
man. After the shots Mr.. Calhoun
pointed his revolver at Williamson and
ordered him not to move.
''Nr. Williamson, have here four OF
nv balls, which | am entitled to fire at
YOU now. do not wish to take your
life. Inow ask you to retract your re-
marks made before the Legislature.
II will do so" answered Williamson,
provided you withdraw the reflections
upon my character involved in your re-
marks"
Mr.. Calhoun again asked an uncondi-
tional withdrawal, which Mr.. William
son again refused. Then Mr.. Calhoun
said:
"Will you withdraw your remarks, OF
shall l fire?'
Mr.. Williamson replied: eff you
withdraw the reflections upon my char
acter. If not, no, and am ready for
YOUR bullets. Fire your four shots.
Then we shall load and fire again." and
Mr.. Williamson folded his arms.
II don't want 20 take your life" said
Mr.. Calhoun. ''In speaking before the
legislative co nmittee l intended ocover
a business point, and Mr.. Williamson
personally did not occur to me-"
"Then I withdraw my statements,
said Mr.. Williamson.
''Then," said Mr.. Calhoun, pointing
his pistol skyward, 81 shall fire my re,
naming four shots in the air. l re-
serve. chem for this purpose"
He then fred his remaining shots in
the air. The principals then shook hands
and left the field. Both are as brave
men as live. Public opinion is that Mr..
Calhoun simply gave Mr.. Williamson his
life.
The most daring feat of journalistic
enterprise on record in the South was
accomplished by Mr. E. W. Barrett OF
the Constitution staff Yesterday, when
he, with bis own engineer, secured from
a dummy line, captured an engine on
the. Rome and Decatur Railroad at
-T6me. ss2Ha%jth it followed the duel
iytt iytts,. 4fifv t1szc 11eH-vn wiiiftiamsoHs "
special, but was put off in the woods.
He, however, Immediately ran back to
Rome, and captured the engine upon
which be followed, and was on the scene
when the fight occurred, giving the
Consultation the only full detailed re-
port printed this morning. After the
duel, which occurred after dark, he ran
his wildcat engine back forty miles to
Rome, whence his report was wired.