Sullivan republican. [volume] (Laporte, Pa.) 1883-1896, 1889-08-02
'4RE I nj. RT AT rIoH-ANuoN
'z.he last Duel ESut; sat on sie Soil o.
PsHnaysSania.

y
present generation, says Historian
Megianess in the Wihiamsport
Eu5yet;n shat Samuel Stewart was
the only man who fought regular
duel IN the West Branch Valley;
anj. it is a noteworthy fact that it
was the last duel fought on the soil
Of Pennsylvania. The prominence
cf the actors had q special influence
in causing the passage Of the act OF
March 81, 1905, torhiddipg dueling
in this State. The duel between
Samuel Stewart and John Binns, a
celebrated editor cf his day, was
fought on Sunday, December l6,
lSo5, not far from where the town
Of I.o0tandon now stands IN Nor
thumberiand county. According
to accounts handed down Stewart
spent the night before at Andrew
Albrights tavern, in Lewisburg'
lie following citcumstantial account
of the affair is taken from John
Bans Autobiography, he being one
of tie principals:
Or Saturday, November the 5th,
1905, while I was in the public ball
alley. at Sunbury, with bat in my
hand, tossing ball against the wall,
waiting for Major Chas. Maclay to
play game, a vecy tell, stout strcng-
er came to me and said: "NIy name
is Sam Stewart, of Lycoming coun~
tv. your name, | understand, is John
Binns, and you are editor of the
Republican Argus" l replied Il
Was" I wish to know who is the
author OF the letters published in
that paper signed Zone of tie Peo-
pIe." For what purpose ?" said l.
He replied: "There are remarks in
one of them which reflect OH my
character, and | must know the
arthur" | declined to tell him, but
said it there was anything untrue it
should be corrected. He was stand
ing on my lefftt, and instantly threw
his eft arm across my breast, and
with it held both my arms tight
above the elbows; and, at the same
time, threw lis right arm across the
back of my head, violently pushing
his fOreinger into the corner of my
right eye, evidently with the intent
to tear it out of my lead. I struck
him with the bat with all my
strength, when he let go his hold,
seized me about the waist and en-
deavored to throw me down. We
were separted by Major Maclay and
others, who came into the alley. In
his effort 10 gouge out my eye he
left scar which Will accompany me
to my grave. The ball alley was
attached to Henry Shaffer's hotel.
/ went into the hotel and wrote q
note:
SUNBURY, November s, 1906.
After threatening me like a bravo,
you have attacked me like ruffian.
Some satisfaction ought to be render
ed for such conduct! II ycu have
the spirit and courage 30 meet me
as a gentleman, and will appoint
time and place, and meet me with
pistols, accompanied by a friend
what has passed shall be overlooked
by. JoHN BINNs.
SAMUEL STEWART, ESQ.
To this note Mr.. Stewart returned
6 verbal answer, "that he was going
to the city, but would be back in
two or three weeks" On the 18th
OF December, note was handed me
by Mr.. Andrew Kennedy, printer of
the Northumberland Gazette:
NORTHUMBERLAND, Dec. IL, 1905.
When I received your challenge I
was on my way to the city, and had
it not in my power to meet you; but
now am here, ready to see you.
You will, therefore, mention the
time and place, and you will have it
in yourpower to try my spirits,
that you so much doubted. It must
be Immediately. Let me hear from
you. JOHN STEWART.
/ replied that as soon as l could
get Major Naclay here I would be
ready. That 1 had sent for him,
expected him that evening, and the