Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-11-11
TWO OLD PISTOLS.
They Figured in MurderOus Duel That
Interested Philadelphia Years Ago.


philadelphia Times)
A very handsome pair of old-fashioned
pistols, the barrels twelve inches long,
saw-handle grips. and flint locks. made
by Wilkinson. of London. 1920. and fin
ished in n style that shows perfection OF
mechanical handwork, have record OF
deadly interest to old Phiadelphians, for
a bullet from one Of them caused the
death OF William II. Miller. Jr.. at the
hands Of Charles G. Hunter. Of the United
States navy known to history as Alva-
RADIO Hunter.
William ii. Miller. Jr.. was young
lawyer who lived on the south side Of
Walnut below Third street, and was
connected with mary Of the leading
families in Philadelphia. He was In
volved In a quarrel under the following
circumstances: II. Wharton Griffith and
Roger Dillon Drake. two Of the gilded
youth OF that time Qs29. had fight in
saloon at Fourth and Chestnut and
mutually pommelled one another.
After suspicious delay Griffith sent
Midshipman Charles Fl. Duryea to Drake
with q challenge. Drake took abundance
of time to reply. refusing to meet Griffith
on the ground that he was not a gentle
man, and Duryea at once challenged
Drake. and after time posted him as
a coward. Finally Drake sent Miller with
challenge to Duryea, who refused to
receive 1t on the ground that Drake was
no gentleman. Herc-was complication.
Jack Aston, of Beaufort N. c.. a noted
duellist, was consulted. and quickly gave
his opinion that the entire crowd were a
"set OF Quaker buffers and windbags
who did not want to fight" He ended
matters by offering to so out with every
body in sight. AS he was manifestly dam
gerous all hands kept out Of his way,
and he left the State with huge dis
dain for the Quaker City braves.
And now new parties interviewed Mid
shlpman Charles G. Hunter and Lieuten-
ant Hampton Westcott. Of the marines,
as friends Of Duryea took it up, and
Hunter goaded Miller into a fight. finally
posting him In the United States Hotel.
Then Miller sent Lieutenant Edmond
Byrne, United States navy. to Hunter.
and meeting was arranged. and on
Sunday, March II. 1880 the affair came
off on the Delaware side of Naamans
creek in Delaware county. 1t is said that
an agreement was to be made that Miller.
who was no shot. was to be spared, but
Hunter on the ground asked his second.
Wescott. "Shall hit him."
YES" answered Westcott. pink the
Pekin."
Hunters ballet went through Millers
lungs, and he was dead ere he struck the
ground. Hunter remarked that he had no
enmity against the dead man, and the
blame rested on those who had COM
menced the quarrel.
Philadelphia journalists were timid in
those days. After giving the names OF
Byrne, Duryea. Hunter and Westcott.
o11aI thar, Urao onpfbar
son on the ground. but did not give the
name-and this was the sharper and
horse Jockey. Prince Murat. from Borden
town. and he drove Hunter away In his
carriage.
The sequel was Incredibly brutal. Mil
ler's body was doubled up. placed In a
chaise, and driven to the home Of his
uncle Robert Craig. on Walnut street,
the father-in-law Of Nicholas Blddle. and.
stiff and bloody, was carried into the
house. 1t Is incredible to tell that no
steps were taken by the dead mans in
fluential relatives TO avengc his murder.
but the people spoke with no uncertain
voice.
The State Legislature. then in session.
denounced the murder and petitioned
President Jackson In the matter. John
Branch, Secretary Of the Navy. at once
sent in the names of those concerned.
and the President ordered them to be
dismissed from the service OF the United
State.
Hunter was secreted in the house OF q
farmer. on the banks Of the Delaware.
and here he remained for some time.
finally marrying his landlords daughter
He was reinstated In 1872. end took the
Mexican town Of Alvarado during the
war dizoheyiuQ hfs orders therein. and
for this he was court-naartialed, and
henceforth was frlendless wanderer.
dying In misery In q New York hospital.
regrettlng at last that he had any part
In the death OF Miller.
The pistols belonged to Westcott. and
came into the possession OF relative.
vhos sold them to Robert States. Of New
York. and they were sent to friend here
for Inspection. Although smooth-bores.
at twenty yards they are 40 accurate as
a modern rife.