The morning call., 1891-07-19

was held by force upon his horse until the
fight was over. The word being given, Nu-
gent fired first and Cotter right after. both
Intellectually; neither was able to cock his
pistol again with one hand, both being used;
Nugent obtained the level when Cotter's
pistol was only half-cocked, but, perceiving
this, with extraordinary presence of mind
Cotter leveled his piston half-cocked. which
drew again Intellectually the fire of Nugeut.
whereupon Cotter cooked his pistol and fired
as Nugent was about raising the pistol for
the third fire.
Nugent sank down upon the greensward,
his pistol falling over his shoulder. 1t was
found that he had received a compound frac-
ture of his left thigh, which resulted from
the fact that he had moved his left leg out
of the line with his right. 1t being feared
that the shot would be fatal, Cottcr expressed
a desire to be recOncied to a man against
whom he had no personal emnity; bat MI
gent. lying on the ground, pale and calm.
answered: " Never, until he retracts."
Whereuuon COtter remarked: "As we
wouldn't retract before the fight, guess we
won't after"
Thus ended a duel which at the time of
its occurrence created great excitement
throughout the State. as before the fight the
opinion prevailed that Cotter was going to
sure death.
In 1858 Nugent again went upon the field,
this time with Alderman John Hayes.
Hayes was Texan, | believe, and was
huUWU dS d utdG SUOl. NuReUl, Hlbtr MS
first duel, had practiced occasionally with a
rife. as he considered that he must be al
ways ready with a weapon to defend the
purposes of his pen. This duel took place
in San Francisco and the weapons used
were Mississippi rifles at twenty PAGES.
Neither was harmed at the first fire, but at
the second Nugent was dangerously
wounded. A few years before he died Nj
gent once remarked in the hearing of the
writer that had he his life to live over again
he would never attack man on account of
his physical habits or infrmities, and also
he would see to it that what he said con-
corning the fitness of a person seeking pub
lie preferment should be strictly true, and
then IF any tighter came after NE" to use
his own words, we would have it out right
then ana there" Nugent came near going
upon the field with Gilbert of the Alta, but
the affair" was nicely adjusted by mutual
friends.
BURLEsQUED THE GOVERNOR,
In 1868 Edward Gilbert, formerly of AL
bany, n. Y, was editor-in-chief of the a lta.
and was regarded as the most brilliant news
paper writer in California At the same
tary of State, and considered a superior man
in every way. A bill had been passed by
the Legislature to send a relief train to over
land immigrants who might be found in
destitute condition anywhere upon the route
to be TAKEN Denver was to be in command
and Governor Bigler was to escort it out of
Sacramento. Gilbert let fiy his animated
pen at this parade. and burlesqued the Gov
ernor and maligned the General Denver,
who was pretty handy with a pen himself.
replied to Gilbert and so completely used
him up, so to speak, that there was no way
out for the editor but to challenge Denver to
mOrta! combat
This is inviting death at the drop of the
handkerchief" declared Ed. MCGOWAN,
g for Denver is the surest rife-shot in the
State"
ut is too bad" said Dave Broderick,
land the affair must be settled in some
ather Way. The General is too brave man
to decline the challenge, and Gilbert will be
Killed at the first fire."
TOO brave a man to decline All, Dave,
he hasn't reached that point of bravery yet.
1t requires more real bravery to decline
challenge than TO accept one. The man who
refuses to fight when challenged is outside
the pale of genteel society,""
''But 1t should be adjusted"
Yes, it should be; but it cannot be. Dem
ver's retort Is too terrible, and, alas too
true"
bat brilliant young man will be killed.
Denver is good shot"
Gilbert Is no novice He Is a man of
great courage, and the stain put uron him
must be wiped out with Blood
Mutual friends did their level best to pre-
vent the duel, but to no account Gilbert
declared that death was preferable to the
stain Denver had put upon him. .'PlI 6rht
the secretary to the death I" exclaimed Gil
pert " his warmest frieni. g. an as cool
headed, as sound, rs honorable, as brave.
ana as good a shot as Denver. We have
Doth seen service in Mexico and are not
afraid OF death. Nothing shall prevent our
| meeting" 'u'
me auel took place at the "Oaks," forty
miles from Sacramento, nearly forty years
ago. As the cOmbatiuts stood twenty naces
from each other with rifles, Denver wins
pered to his second: II shall throw away