The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-10-02
SOME FAMOUSOLDDUELS
"REMINISCENCES OF THE CODE.
uav Pesersburxers Of Oiden Times souzhs
TO Redress Their Grievances--Irsxio
Fad Of o Distinguished Irishman.
dor The TImes)


unscathed duelists who nave ,hdeavored
in vain to yield their lives as sacrifices
TO wounded honor. The institution no
longer flourishes. however, and 1t IS safe
to say that twenty-five years hence the
dualing pistol will be an anachronism and
the unwritten code as dead as those VINO
originated it. In justice to those adVo-
Gates and doughty knights who believe
now i'm mortal combat with deadly wea-
pons, it should be said that they have Ddt
little faith in the courage OF those VINO
decry the "conseryator OF honor. Ihey
contend that the seyerest satirists OF the
morbund institution are men whose views
in regard 10 outraged honor coincide WIN
the crafty cowardice Of that wise poi
troon. Sir John Falstaif; Il like not such
grinning honor as Sir Walter hath. Give
me life which. if | can save, so; II not,
honor comes unlocked for and there's an
end"
WOMAN AND POLITICS.
The number of duels which have been
fought within the environments OF the
Cockade City is very large. but. unfortu-
nately, the facts which have been handed
down are very meagre, and in some nOta-
bic cases it is impossible to find any trust
worthy sources of information. Accord
ing to that precious oracle, the oldest
nhabtant," men used to be "deyilish
quick" in shooting each. other in the
young and lusty days of this old city, and
the fame of their "Hotspur-ism," their
importantly, and their recklcssness in
avenging insults and redressing injuries
was spread far and wide. Years ago the
population included large element of the
Scotch-Irish, a mixture OF nationality
which produces grim tenacity, rugged
invincibility, and II quality of courage as
impusive as it is relentless. 30 1t has
happened that men have fought here on
account of conflicting political views, and
some because of that most potential
cause of strife, of hatred, and of tempo
rary insanity woman. And where else
could there have been found women more
worthy of knights to battle for their love?
Dnels and women are inSeparably assO-
ciated. Unravel the tangled web of the
causes which have led men to sacrifice
themselves on the field of honor" take
out the woman clement and you have left
but prosy fights and unrOmantic blood
letting elligerency, growing out of poll
tics, out Of the flowing bowl, and some
times out Of bitterness resulting from
business transactions.
KILLING OF BUBK.
OF the duels which have been fought
here, one of the most celebrated is the
Burk- COcquehert affair. This sad and
memorable resort to the code as the final
arbiter between two strangers occurred
in 1908. John DAILY Burk was an Irish
man who had tied from his native coun-
try in order to avoid persecution on ac-
count of his political opinions. He was a
literary man of some note, and was the
author of history of Virginia, which he
did not live to complete. AppletOn's New
American Cyclopedia has this reference
to the Inflated freshman:
Burk, John DAILY, author of one of the
best histories of Virginia; born in Ireland,
educated in Trinity College, Dublin; was
killed in a duel with a Frenchman near
CampbelIs bridge, Virginia, April II,
1893. He came TO this country in 1897,
edited n newspaper at Boston, and sub
sequently another in New York. where he
was arrested under the seditiOn act. He
afterwards removed to Petersburg. Va,
where he practiced law and wrote his his
tory"
"Campbelrs bridge" spans the Appomat-
toX river and connects Petersburg with
the little village of Ettrick. in Chester
held county. The duel was fought on
Fleets farm, on the browning eminence
of which, in full view Of the city. is the
virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute.
which Malone built in the DAYS of Read
Justerism as monument to his devotion
for the negroes and bid for their votes.
THE CAUSE OF THE DUEL.
In 1908 Powell's Tavern was the prin-
cipal hotel in Petersburg. 1t was the
fav0rite resort of the politicians of the
day, and many We're the brawls which
had arisen beneath its hospitable roof
many the bowls of rum, punch and
brandy tOddy which had been drunk
around its festive board. On the day be-
fore the duel Burk was seated at a
table In the hotel with some of his
friends. Political excitement was of
fever heat then, and men who held con-
fiicting opinions could barely discuss the
situation without coming to blows At
the tavern that day there was a bitter
discussion. The letter of the French
Minister Champagne to General Arm
strong was the principal topic of talk at
Burks table, and the impulsive Irish
man, who held very decided views. ex-
pressed them with great warmth and I'M
reserved freedom. He reprobated in the
strongest terms the conduct of the
French Government toward the United
States and spoke very pointedly and
scathingly Of the nsolence of the French
Minister. AT the same table around
which Burk and his friends We're grouped,
was stranger NJ. Felix Cocquebert, a
native of France. an ardent defender Of
his country and the policy of its Govern
ment. He listened quietly and attentive
ly to Burk's invective, and when the lat
ter had concluded his diatribe, turned
and addressed him courteously but sig
nihcantly.
THE CHALLENGE.
do you mean, sir" be inquired, ito
apply those observations to me?"
Sir" answered Burk. with spirit, II
do not know who you are or what you
are. l did not know there was such a
being in existence Who are you, sir?
What are you, sir? do not so much as
know your country or your name"
Il ask you, sir, if you mean to insult
me" replied Cocquebert.
Seeing sir" responded Burk, that
you have no right to intrude upon my
conversation or my concerns, you must
take my words, even as it pleases you"
Cocquebert simply said in reply to
this Every well, sir" and thus the col
lOquy was brought to an end. On the
following morning. which was Sunday,
he dispatched a note to Burk, in which
he wrote: IF, in alluding to politics,
you did not mean to insult me- and had
not observed that a Frenchman was
within reach of your words, | suppose
you have no objection to easing my feel
ings by an acknowledgment of il in as
formal manner as that / take to ad-
dress YOU"
Burk seems to have been badly adj
vised, or else altogether under the dom
ination of an implacable temper He
sent note to Cocquebert by a friend.
Mr. Thweatt. in which he declined to