San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1896-05-11

Around.
KANSAS CITY, May 1.-THE
Journal today prints the following
from its Topeka correspondent:
William G. Souther, who claims
to have been an eye witness OF the
historic duel between Abraham,
Lincoln and Gen. James Shields
has related to the Journal CORES
pondent, what is purported to be
the missing data of that event.
Heretofore but meagre details Of
what actually took place when the
duelling party crossed the Missis-
sippi river have been published,
and Souther now fills that most
important part Of the days pro-
ceedings.
Souther, who is 70 years of age,
has for the past eighteen years
been a clerk in the office of the
auditors office Of the Santa Fe
system in this city, though the
greater part of his life has been
spent as a printer and newspaper
man. Up to the time Of the ar
rival of the duelling party at the
Alton ferry the story he tells is
very similar to the one heretofore
printed, but from there it differs
widely. Souther relates that in
order to witness the affair he
agreed to drive the horses which
propelled the ferry boat carry
ing the distinguis shed party.
CARRYING upon the opposite
Shore" says Souther, switch was a
wilderness of timber, spot partly
cleared was selected as the battle
ground. Shields took a seat on a
fallen log on one side OF the clear
ing and Lincoln seated himself on
another on the opposite side. The
seconds then proceeded to cut a
pole about twelve feet long and
two stakes were crotched in the
end. The stakes were driven in
the ground and the pole laid across
the crotches SO that it rested about
three feet above the ground. The
men were to stand on either side
of this pole and fight across it. A
line was drawn on the ground on
both sides three feet from the pole
with the understanding that either
combattant stepped back across
his own line it was to be con-
sidered a giving up Of the fight.
"After all these arrangements
had been completed the seconds
rejoined their principals at the
different sides OF the clearing, and
commenced to talk in low tones.
Along with the Shields party was
DIR. T. NJ. Hope, of Alton. He was
very much opposed to the duel,
and reasoned with Shields for a
long time. AS result OF his talk
several notes were passed between
the seconds. Lincoln remained
firm and said Shields must with
draw his first note and ask him
whether or not he was the author
of the poem in the Journal. When
that was done he said he was ready
to treat with the other side. Shields
was infiexible and finally DIR. Holt
got mad with him. He said
Shields was dragging the demo-
Gratis Of Illinois into ruin by his
folly. Finally he sprang to his
feet, faced the stubborn little Irish
man and blurted out:
"'Jimmie, you d. little whip
persnapper, II you don't settle this
I'll take you across my knee and
spank YOU
"This was too much for Shields
and he yielded. A note was SOL
EMMY prepared and taken across
to Lincoln, which inquired II he
was the author Of the poem in
question. Lincoln wrote a formal
reply, in which he said he was not,
and then mutual explanations and
apologies followed. l had watched
Lincoln closely while he sat on his
log waiting for the signal to fight.
His face was grave and serious. L
could discern nothing suggestive
of 'Old Abe,' as we knew him. L
never knew him to go so long be-
fore without making a joke and
began to fear he was getting fright
ened, but presently he reached over
and picked up one of the swords,
which he drew from the scabbord.
Then he felt along the edge Of the
weapon with his finger like bar
Der feels the edge OF his razor,
stretched himself to his full
height, stretched out his long arm
and clipped of twig from a tree
above his head with the sword.
There was not another man OF US
who could have reached 1t and the