The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-02-22
LINCOIA'S DUEL.
Death Of Dr. English Recalls One In when
the President Came Near Taking Part

he
Dr. Revel Wharton English. who died
In Kansas city on Sunday. says the
New York sun, was one Of the men
instrumental in preventing duei be
tveen Abraham Lincoln and the late
General James Shields, just before the
marriage of Lincoln in 1872. The duel,
which got as far as the selection or the
veapons and the ground. was stopped by
an understanding between the principals.
arrived at through the Intervention OK
friends. OF whom Dr. English was one
Shields was at that time Auditor OF
the State OF Illinois. and by virtue or MS
ofice was a conspicuous figure i'm Spring
field. the home OF Lincoln ne was an
ardent Democrat. and made himself the
target for political attacks because Of
his extreme partisanship. lie was also
something of a dandy.
The financial condition Of the state
i'm 1872 because of the collapse Of the
internal improvement system. was very
low. and the burdens OF the taxpayers
were fast growing excessive. The State,
in the summer OF 1892 refused 10 receive
any more State bank notes or bills in
payment of taxes. The order caused
much dissatisfaction, and the Wings
seized upon It as an excuse for heaping
upon the Democratic party. the party i'm
power, all sorts of abuse Lincoln join
ed i'm the denuncation. The columns Of
the Sangamon journal were always open
TO him. and through them he determined
to level his shafts Of satire.
Simeon Francis was the editor Of the
paper and il was at his house that
Lincoln met his betrothed. Mary Todd.
and her friend. Julia NJ. Jayne. who was
afterward her bridesmaid. Lincoln eX-
planned his purpose TO the two young
women and they agreed TO help him.
Shields was the mark selected as the
most vulnerable for an attack upon the
party i'm power. and the first article was
lampoon upon him. printed I'm the
Journal of September "a. 1t was a letter
purporting 10 come from a poor widow
who was unable TO pay her taxes. al
though she had ample funds i'm the shape
of State bank paper. II was headed. "a
Letter from the Lost Townships was
dated August q. 1872. and was signed
"Rebecca"
Within a week another letter appeared
also signed "Rebecca" i'm which. am0ng
other things she offered herself 90 Shields
in marriage This letter is said 10 have
been written by the two young women,
although its language and general strain
was similar TO that of the first letter.
Shortly afterWard some lines Of dog
gercl, over the signature "Cathleen.'
We're printed i'm the Journal They sang
the praises OF Shields and congratulated
him upon the prospect of an early mar
riage with the widow.
These articles We're copied I'm all the
county papers Of the State. and they
subjected Shields 10 such rdicule that he
could no longer restrain himself. Through
a friend. General John D. Whitcside he
demanded Of Editor Francis the name of
the author Of the satires. Francis con-
suited with Lincoln. who directed Francis
10 say that he Gincoin) was responsible
The upsh0t of the controversy was a
challenge. The conditions named We're.
IL Weapons-Cavalry broadswords or
the largest size. precisely equal i'm an zee
spects. and such as now used by the cav
airy company at Jacksonville.
80. POsitiOn-A plank ten feet long and
from nine 10 twelve inches broad 10 Doe
firmly fixed on edge on the ground as the ,
line between us. which neither is to pass
his foot over upon forfeit of his lle. I
Next. a line drawn ON the ground on I
either side Of said plank and parallel with /
f. each at the distance OF the whole /
length Of the sword and three feet addi-
tOnal from the plank. and the passing I
Of his own such line by either party dur
ing the fight shall be deemed a surrender
VI the contest
'3. Time-On Thursday evening az
o'clock, if you can get h. so; but in no
ease 10 be at greater distance Of time
than Friday evening az O'Clock.
a. Place-Withn three miles OF Alton