The record-union., 1892-08-10
GENERAL DENVER.
Death of a Noted Californian of the
Early Fifties.
Sketch of His L1fe-The Fatal Duel
Near This City in 1852, Between
Denver and Gilbert.

| The telegraph this morning announces
the death in Washington yesterday OF
| General James w. Denver, who was in
early days prominent figure in Califor-
MIA. He was born in Winchester, Va,
and emigrated with his parents to Ohio
when child. He removed to Missouri
! in 1871, where he studied law and was adj
United to the bar. He was appointed
Captain of the Twelfth Infantry in 1847,
| and served in the war with Mexico till its
close in July, 1S48.
| Removing to California in 1850, he was
appointed member of relief committee
to protect emigrants, and was chosen
State Senator from Trinity County in
1872. " bile member of this body in
/ that year he had a controversy with Ed
] ward w. Gilbert, eX-member Of Congress,
/ winch resulted in a challenge from Gil
bert that was accepted by Denver. Rifles
/ We're the weapons, and Gilbert was killed
/ by the second shot.
IN 1898 Denver was appointed Secretary
| of State, but from 1853 to 1857 served in
1 Congress. He was appointed by Presi-
! Gent buchanan Superintendent OF Indian
Affairs, but resigned, and was made
! Governor of Kansas. Resigning this
/ post IN 1858, he was reappointed Commits
Sloner OF Indian Affairs, which office he
| held until March, 1859.
in 1861 he entered the army, was made
! BrIgadier- General, served III the Western
! States, and resigned in March, 1869.
| AfterWard he settled in Washington.
| ID. C., TO practice law. He died at the
ripe age of 70 years.
Denvers duel with Gilbert was fought
a few miles from Sacramento on the I'd OF
] \ ~ \
/ tlon throughout the State. In those DAYS
the code" was recognized as the proper
method Tor settling personal grievances,
ana men We're not looked down upon for
engaging in duels.
II was on Monday morning, at sunrise.
! Chat the hostile meeting took place at AK
! GroVe. Gilbert was the senior editor OF
the Att0 CALIFORNIA, and General j. w.
Denver was State Senator from Trinity
County. The immediate cause OF this
lamenIaDIe affair was card published by
General Denver, rejecting on the per-
SonaI character Of Gilbert The latter
challenged Denver, and the men went
out with a few friends to fight to the
death. The weapons selected were Ves-
son rifles, and the distance forty PAGES.
After the first interchange of shots.
neither OF which took effect, the weapons
| were reloaded and the word given. when
! UlIpeft Tell almost instantly, having re-
celVed the shot of General Denver in the
LETT side, just above the hip-bone. The
ball pierced the abdomen, and passed en-
urely through his body, coming out at a
point on the right side, almost directly
| opposite where ii entered.
Gilbert survived but four or five min
utes after the occurrence, and without a
word, or scarcely a groan, his spirit passed
from the earth. His body was immedi-
ately conveyed to Oak Grove House.
where the sad duty of preparing it for its
last resting-place was performed.
The most intense sensation was pro-
duced throughout the city on the receipt
OF the mournful intelligence, and all
seemed to unite in the sincere sorrow
| eYlnced at the unfortunate issue of the
encounter, and in the deep and heartfelt
sympathy expressed for the surviving
relatives of the deceased.
At $3.50 o'clock in the afternoon a num-
! per OF the personal and professional
| friends OF the deceased repaired to Oak
Grove, and in the evening escorted the
remains TO the city.
The remains We're taken to the resi-
| dence of Alderman Nevett and the fol-
lowing day were removed to San Fran
cisco for burial