Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1895-07-11

Ts->N f'
Yes, there were more duels ir
my younger days than now, but on
the other hand there were fewer as-
sassinations in street encOun ters, and
on the whole | rather think the old
way the better of the two; or, more
correctly speaking, the least of the
two evils"
The speaker was Colonel Matt
Galloway, the venerable eX-cditor of
the Memphis Appeai, who is now
retired on a snug fortune, and enjoy
ing his ease at his inn, the Peabody
Hotel. The Colonel was discussing
the COllier-Carmuck fiasco with some
of the YOunkers, who sought his
opinion as an expert in affairs of
honor, says the st. Louis Globe
Democrat. In his time, editors who
welded bitter pen were expected
to back up their words with deadly
weapons, and he gained considerable
reputation by his willingness to ac-
commodate gentlemen who felt ag-
grieved by his vitriolic literary style.
MY introduction to dueling was
both tragic and dramatic, in the
broadest sense of both TERMS" con-
tinued the veteran, falling easily into
the reminiscent vein. 81 have as
sisted at several meetings, and came
very near being made target of on
more than one occasion, but this was
the only one that resulted fatally.
1t occurred-let me see-yes, it was
in October, 1860. The parties were
Colonel w. II. Lake, of Nicksburg,
a noted Whig leader in Mississippi,
and II. G. Chambers, rich planter
of Coahoma County, Miss, who was
hot Democrat. Lake had been
member of Congress, and came
within two votes of being elected
Speaker of the House, being defeated
by member from New Jersey,
whose name | have forgotten. He
was a man of fine attainments and
splendid physique, an aristocrat to
his finger-tips, brave as Caesar, but
naughty and overbearing in manner.
Chambers was of smaller size and
very quiet in disposition, but plucky
as bantam. Lake was out for Con-
gress again, and Chambers had an
nounced himself as an opposition
candidate. There were no conven-
tions in those days, you know; it
was every man for himself and devil
take the hindmOst.
Well, it happened that Chambers
and Lake had agreed on list Of Joint
appointments to speak at different
places in the district, the canvass To
close at Vicksburg. Chambers ap-
peared and spoke at the points agreed
upon. but, for some reason not eX-
planned, Lake failed to meet him.
So when Chambers reached NlcKs-
burg on his first round he published
card in the local paper, reciting the
facts of his agreement with Lake,
and the latter's failure to keep ms
part of it, but used the most temper.
ate Ianpuage, and il was so arranged
by mutual friends.
The two candidates met at Green
vile. Chambers spoke hrSt, comm
ing himself entirely to political ls'
sues, and not using WORD that any
one on the other side could reasona-
bly object to. He did not allud" to
the former pact between himself
and Lake. When he concluded,
Lake got up with Sneer on ms
handsome face, and taking plsloi
from his pocket, struck ChamDerS
IN the head with it, cutting gash,
from which the blood poured IN
streams. The widest excitement
ureyailed for a time, ana IL see"ieu
there would be terrible riot, nut
Chambers. who had not moved from
The nlatform, succeeded in quoting
his friends, and then he turned 10
Lake. who stood like statue. l
am sure, sir said Chambers you
would not have struck me nau you
Enown was unarmed. You VIII
hoar from me- Very well, sir'
said AXE, shaking his foretinger IN
%hanhars, face, that's the klnd OF
an appointment want with you
Chambers retired to his hotel,
,,haro his wound was dressed, ana
N a dav or two later resumed ms
nanyass. Int in the meantime ne
ga" Ina written to me, detailing the
Facts of the assault, and asking Ine
:" ~ oct ga his second, and demahueu a
,aotino of Lake. | was 'hen euit'
;no The Aralanche. / knew Cham,
hnrs s well, but had never met me tne
pe.a .s. man A few days after thi'
OtneI h" ,nd ake arrived IN