The Forrest City times., 1891-02-20
LINCOLN WOULD FIGHT.
THE STORY OF HIS ONLY DUEL
 RETOLp.
He Was Challenged by Gen. Shields and Pre- ferrcd to Accept Rather than show that Somebody Else Was the Offending
 Party.

Speaking of Abraham Lincoln. says a Chicago Herald writer, it is wonderful how many new stories are told of him from day to day. The supply seems inexhaustible and heard several new ones last night from Judge Solomon, an Iowa lawyer. who was brought in close association with the Lincoln family through his wife. who was brought up with Mary Todd, the wife of Abraham Lincoln. Judge Solo mons stories are either personal ex- periences or they come from the tra- ditions of the Lincoln and Todd fami- lies. His story of Abe Lincoln's duel Is different from any that have ever been published and us his authority is Colonel John J. Hardin, who was one Of the seconds, it is perhaps the most authentic account of the affair. Said Judge Solomon:
 "Tne duel was between General James Shields, q prominent Illinois politician, and Abe Lincoln. A num- Der of articles had appeared in the newspapers. signed 'Rebecca, which had been written ut Shields and had made him tho laughing stock of the town. Shields had suspected that these letters had been written by Lin- coln. but he had no proof of the fact. At last ono night he was at dance and, in waltzing with one of the sweet girls Of the town, be squeezed her hand, as she thought. little too ar dently, and she rewarded him by stick ing pin into him and leaving him on the floor. Others of the party saw the act and Shields became the laugh- ing stock Of the assemblage. The next issue Of the paper contained a very Imaginable poem describing this incident and ridiculing Shields. Shields was sure that tho writer Of the poem was Lincoln. aud he swore to be reyenged. He called upon Lin coin at his office the next morning with the paper in his hand, and asked in domineering tone, as he pointed to the lines: Did you write that?' Lincoln was a very brave man, and he looked Shields in the eye with a smile and finally said; I shan't tell you whether l wrote 1t or not
 "Thereupon Shields angrily left saying, You shali hear from mel and that afternoon q man appeared as Shields second. bearing q challenge from Shields to Lincoln. Lincoln ac- cepted the challenge, and chose broad swords as weapons, a point near Alton as the place, and Thursday eve ming ut o'clock as the time. On tue day set for the duel Abraham started out alone for the field, but called on the way at the house of John J. Hardin and asked fl the colonel was in. He was told he was not whereupon he said: Well, tell him I'm going over here to fight a duel with Shields and that l want him 10 come along and be my second
 "A few minutes later Colonel Hardin arrived and his wife told him what Lincoln said. He took a fast horse and followed at the top of his speed. but did not arrive at the field until all the other parties were there. He has described to his friends how he found Lincoln a. this time. He was sitting on 8 log at one end of the field with his shoe of and with his big broad sword lying on the ground before him. He had his stocking pulled down over his ankle and was evidently searching for something. As Colonel Hardin came up he said to him:
 "What are you dolng. Liucolne"
 "Old Abe replied: I am goi lg to kill this flea in the first place, and in the second place am going to fgh; this duel with Shields
 What do you want to fight duel with Shields for?n said he.
 Well. the fac, is he has 'acted so mean about this letter that cant help it
 " 'Bu, did you write the letter"
 "'No'
 Do you know who did write it?'
 No
 Well, as l am your second sup pose l have the right to arrange the preimiaaries for the duel?'
 Yes was Lincoln's reply. but I want you 10 understand that l came herr to fight and that l do not care 10 make my kind of an apology
 .Upon this Colonel Hardin went over and talked to Shields party. and in short time showed them the silll- ness of fighting with man who had done them no injury. The result was that the duel was patched up and that all parties rode pack home together. Lincoln. with his long arms. would have had the advantage of Shields in ,hs fight continued Judge Solomon. but according to Colonel Hardin it was Shields intention to have made a quick thrust at Liucoln's heart the moment the signal was given and while Lincoln's eye was still on the signal In this way he would prob. ably have killed him before Lincoln would have had time to raise his sword.
 Golden" Rule for Advert s,-J
 Said gentleman, the managing man of concern. "tne only rule l have