Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1896-06-04
LINCOLN As 4 DUELIsE.
On the Field Of Honor with General
Shiridg.

Shicids.
William q. Southcr, who claims TO
have boon an eye Witness OF the HIS
turic duel between Abraham Lincoln
and Gen. James Shields, has related
what is purported TO be the missing
data of that event Heretofore but
meagre "details OF what actually took
place when the duoling party crossed
the Mississippi river have been pub
lished and Souther now fills in that
most important part of the days pro
ceedings,
Souiher, who is 70 years old, has for
the last Is years been clerk in tho
office 81 the auditor Of the Santa Fo
railway system, at Topeka, Kan,
though the greater portion of his life
has been spent az n printer and news
paper man. Up To the time Of the ar
rival Of the ducling party at the Alton
ferry the story he tells to Chicago
News correspondent, is worry similar to
those heretofore printed, but from
there it differs widely. Souther relates
that in order to witness the duel he
agreed to drive the horses which pro.
PEELED the ferryhoat carrying tho dis
tinguished party. He continues;
Arriving on the opposite shore,
which was wilderness of timber, a
spot partly cleared was elected as the
battle ground, Shields took seat ON a
fallen log on one side OF the clearing,
and Lincoln seated himself on another
at TIN opposite side. The seconds then
proceeded to cut pole about IL feet
long, and two stakes were crotched in
tho end. The stakes were driven in the
| ground ana the pole laid across the
| rrotchea, so that il rested about three
feet above the ground The men were
to stand on either side Of this polc and
| fight across it. line was Drawn on
the ground on both sides, three feet
| from the pole, with the understanding
that if either combatant stepped back
across his own line it was to BIO CON
bldered giving up Of the fight.
After AL these arrangements had
been completed the seconds rejoined
their principals at tho different sides
of the clearing and commenced to
| talk in low tones A long with the
Shields party WIS DIR. L, NJ. Hope Of
| Alton. He was very much opposed to
the duel, aud reasoned with Shields for
a long time. As result of his talk
several notes wore passed between the
seconds. Lincoln remained firm and
said Shields must Withdraw his first
note and ask him whether or not he
was author Of the poem in the Journal.
When that was done ho said he was
ready to treat with the other side
/ Shields at length yielded. A note was
solemnly prepared and sent across ia
Lincoln which inquired if he were
| the author of the poem in question.
Lincoln wrote "A formal reply, in which
he said that HI was not and then mutual
explanations and apologies followed.
! watched Lincoln closely while he
sat on his log awaiting the signal to
| fight. His face was grave and serious
| could discern nothing suggestive of
Old Abe as We knew him. | never
knew him to 90 SO long before without
making joke, and began to believe
he was getting frightened. But pres.
emily no reached over and picked III
ono of tho swords, which no drew from
its scabbaru. Then he felt along tie
edge of the weapon with his thumb
like barber feels of the edge of his
razor, stretched himself up to his full
height, stretched out his long alms
and clipped oil twie from tree
above his head with the sword. There
WASH I another man Of us who could
have reached anywhere near that twig,
and tho ahsurdity OF that long reach
ing fellow fighting with cavalry sabrei
with Sheilds, who could walk under
his arm, came pretty near making mt
howl with laughter, After things hat
been adjusted at the dueling grOunt
Mp FpturDpl Ia tho fprrybpat taynrv