Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1891-05-13
A Distinguished Trio.

dOned for making the following extract;
/ have a letter from an old Washington
ian, now residing in New York, giving some
interesting matter Of the days gone by when
he resided here Mr.. R. ii Gallaher, the son
of the Hon. John 5 Gallaher, who was for
some years third auditor of the treasury.
Mr.. Gallaher says he reads the Sar regular
ly. and finds it one of the most readable
and interesting journals of the day, and re-
members the earlier days OF the now bril-
liant orb which helps to throw light upon
40 wide 4 field of readers that they extend
throughout the Unionp Mr Ga laher tells
me his grandfather owned the eligible cor
ner OF 9;h and f street, where the fine gran
te building nas been erected, AMI for some
inconsderabc sum sold it to Mr.. Gales, and
he says he understands it is now worth SO
a foot. Mr. Gallaher is an authority in
Wall street values, but his knowledge Of
real estate values of Washington are sadly
At fault as Mr. Robt Hollzman tells me il
Is worth $50 foot If on the' market Mr.
Gallaher's memories Of the political move
ment which re,uteaiq theclection of Gen.
rayor are very interesting Mr. Galaher,
rs his father had beer befrss bin, was the
ditor of a leading whig jourbdl in Virgin
ia. Mr. John s GalIaITer was one of trio
who in the long ago. worked at case" on the
Register of Debates in the Office of the Ma
ito al LateIigeacer, Gen. Simon Cameron
md Luther Severance of Maine being the
other two of this very remarkable trio
These gentlemen, even at that early day.
we're inspired with the ambition to occupy
the editorial tripod of their own journals,
an ambition which was realized on their re-
turn to their native states, for Gen. Came
ron because the editor and proprietor of a
prominent journal in Pennsylvania, Mr.
severance wa for years editor of a leading
journal in Maine, and Mr. Gallnher estab-
lished the FREE PREss at Harpers's Ferry
and subsequently at Charlestown. 1t was
a paper Of influence and ability. These
three journeymen printers served in both
branches of their respective legislatures, and
Gen. Cameron was elected to the Senate of
the United States. Mr. Severance to the
House of Representatives and Mr. Gallaher
appointed to the Office of third auditor Of
the treasury, when they next met in Wash
ington. years after their association as jour
ucymen of the "art preseryatiye of arts. -
Mr. Gallaher was valued contributor to
the columns of the National LateHigeacer and
before coming to Washington in an official
capacity he was Unidentified with the Nir-
gina piess as an able editorial writer, and
subsequently as one of the owners OF the
Wig at Richmond, with John Hampton
Peasants aud Alexander Moseley. Mr.. r
II. Gallaher succeeded him in that editorial
capacity and conducting that paper, from
which Mr.. Pletsants had retired to establish
the Daily Republic.
THE PLEAsANTs RITCHIE DUEL.
While absent from Richmond at Philadel-
pha Mr.. Peasants saw most violent at
tack upon him written by Mr.. Thomas
Ritchie, jr. Mr. Peasants, hastened to re-
turn to Richmond and sent a challenge on
his arrival in the city. requesting Mr.. Richie
to meet him next morning on the towpath
of the canal at Manchester. No particular
weapon was designated, and Mr. Peasants
carried a walking stick and pair OF duel
ing pisto :, and Mr. Richie, who had pre-
cerded him about fifteen minutes, and who
had been stationed by MS seconds, Messfs.
Washington Greeuhow and Wm scott. wore
a pair OF double barreled pistols in belt
around his waist supplemented by a heavy
cutlass or artillery sword. Just before
reaching the ground Mr.. Peasants dis
charged hi- pistols and advance toward Mr..
Ritchie with only his slender cane. As he
advanced Mr. Richie opened fire on him
and before he reached the ground where Mr..
Richie stood he had received four wounds
and had barely strength enough 70 breas
his cane over Riichie's head and shoulders.
II fell and was carried 70 his residence,
where, after several days of great suffering,
be died. The excitement growing out of
this sad affair was intense. Mr.. Richie
came to Washington, where his father WAS
residing. On his return 70 Richmond he
was tried and acquitted At Mr.. Peasants
death Mr. Gallaher purcha-ed his newspa
per property SIR. Pleasanis was one Of the
most gifted editorial writers Of the day, and
hi demise and the painful circumstances
which caused it exercised powerful infu
ence ia opposition to the duello. Mr. Gal
laher gives some very interesting reminis-
cences Of Gen. Taylor administration.
/ His father succeeded Mr. Peter Hagner, who
bad for many years filled the position Of
third auditor OF the treasury.
In a Persian theatre three horses. each
carrying a driver, participate in a genu-
Inc race upon the stage The effect, part
" due To illusion, is very real. Each
horse is made to gallop upon an endless
belt moved back and upon an electrical
ly-driyen drum under the stage, 20 that
l the racers, even when going at full speed
are kept at point in the centre Of the
Iaudienrpis field of view. The illusion Of