Wichita eagle., 1889-08-13
DETAILS OF THE DUEL.
Pistols of No Use the Combatants Talk it
Out,

Out,
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn, August 12.-The
duel between J. d. Williamson and Pat
rick Calhoun took place about twenty
miles west of Rome. Ga, on the Rome &
Decatur railroad very near If not upon the
state line Of Alabama and Georgia. The
duelists were placed in position twelve
PAGES apart in dense timber and at half
past o'clock when it was just dusk the
order to fire five shots in rapid succession
was given and simultaneously both pistols
went off, Williamson in a jiffy emptied his
revolver but Calhoun fired only one shot,
being unable to handle the weapon. The
pistols were 38-calibre, hammerless Smith
& Wesson. Neither one was hit and Cal
houn then commenced TO parley with Will
hanson.
MIR. Williamson" he said, ~ have four
remaining balls which l have the right to
fire at you. / now ask if you will with
draw the statement you made before the
legislative committees"
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 | did
it to impress upon the legislature that
your railroad had been offered the Central.
Will you withdraw your statements? l say
this holding four balls in my pistol which
] hBve the right to fire. l have no desire
to take Mr.. Williamson's he"
Il will withdraw it" replied Mr.. Will
hanson, "when you said that you meant
no personal rnAec'iOn."
"WhatsT l." NJ. Calhoun rep e l.,
twas that | "auted The Legislature to un-
derstand that your road was Oh
fered the Central in 1887. You came
to the Kimball house to see me. Do YOU
YOU remember that? All i 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
wanted Judge Tompkins to come from the
car and decide how the shooting should be
continued. The judge was familiar with
the code
Mr. Calhoun again asked: ''Will you un-
conditionally withdraw your statements
made before the legislature"
MIR. Williamson again answered: Il VIII
do so, provided you say you meant no per-
sonal reflection"
Mr.. Calhoun: | want Mr.. Williamson to
understand that l want an unconditional
withdrawal
Mr.. Williamson: When you say that
you Qlun lnUcnu 10 TelieCb upon NY per
sonal integrity.
MIR. Calhoun: VIII you withdraw?
Captain Jackson interrupted with: Mr..
Williamson have You any respect for me
as gentlemen of honor?"
Il have" replied Mr.. Williamson.
"Well, " said Captain jackson. 81 say. as
a gentleman, that | would withdraw the
statement
Mr. Williamson: II Mr.. Calhoun will
say that he intended no personal retlec-
tion.
Mr Calhoun: Will you withdraw.
Mr. Williamson: If you say it.
"Will you withdraw" again asked Mr..
Calhoun. II hold four balls"
Mr.. Williamson, with firmness: 81 am
ready for you to fire
Then we will load and fire again."
said Calhoun.
ALLOW me to speak to Mr.. Williamson"
said Mr.. King, his second.
Captain jackson. quickly-'No, sir; do
not approach him. | will kill the first
man who crosses this line"
Captain jackson drew his revolver, and
rs the moons rays played upon It's glisten-
ing barrel, everyone SAW he meant busi-
ness, and the spectators drew hack.
But | have a right to speak to him."
replied Mr.. King.
Then Captain jackson lowered his re
volver and said: Yes, l believe you do
have that right
Mr.. King approached Mr.. Williamson,
and, while talking, began to examine his
revolver. Captain jackson approached
quickly and asked what that meant. Il
am simply examining Mr.. WIlliamson's
revolver" replied Mr.. King, Ito see if he
fired ali five balls, You may come up and
see"
That's all right" replied Captain
jackson.
Mr.. Calhoun had remained quiet during
this colloquy, but as soon as 1t ended and
Mr.. King was Withdrawing his voice rang
out clearly: In my remarks before the
legislative committee Mr. Williamson per
sonally did not enter my mind Then.
raising his pistol aloft, he said: with the
understanding that you withdraw YOUR
remarks after my statements fire the re
naming shots in the air l expressly re-
serve my shots TO do this With these
remarks four shots raug out and four balls
went skyward. Then Mr.. Calhoun ap-
prosched and the two principals shook
hands, and the party started quickly for
the car Entering the car Mr.. Calhoun
said: 'Mr. Williamson, we Will let this
matter end here
I'VE WILL" replied Mr.. Williamson, Civ
ing his hand hearty shake. You are as
brave man as l ever saw, and / don't be-
lieve lack in it,
''You certainly do not, replied Mr.. CAL
houn.
What is most remarkable about the af-
fair is that both men are fine shots. This
can be accounted for by the fact that it WAS
still dark when the shooting commenced.
There is no question but what they shot to
kill.