The Anaconda standard., 1896-02-14
DUKE E-iiANSON DUEL
A Famous Kentucky Encounter Re-
Callei by Col. Dukes Death.
THEIR QUARREL AND ITS END
Jealousy Was the Cause of the
Meeting, at Which several shots
We're Exchanged, Until Ham
eon Fell Terribly Wounded

" ere NCpdilE u Ot1Aii
eon Fell Terribly Wounded
uanvillc CKy) Corr St. Louis Globe
DcmacTat.
The sudden death Of Colonel William
Duke at his home in Danville, on
Wednesday of this week. brings to
mind the tragic details of his historic
duel with the noted confederate gen.
eral. Roger Hanson, of the famous
orphan Brigade" over the beautiful
Caroline Hickman. Hanson's cousin,
and afterward Dukes wife.
The duel took place in 1SiS, shortly
after Duke had returned from the
Mexican war. having enlisted with
Humphrey Marshall when is years of
age. Hanson, then a brilliant, dashing
young fellow, was in love with his
cousin Miss Hickman, and when he
heard that she was the promised wife
of Duke he had an interview with her in
Wlicn he used language which was in
sulting to Duke. Duke hcard of the
donunciation. and feeling his honor as
sailed promptly challenged Hanson.
| Duke was within n few weeks of 81
years of age. and Hanson was two
years older. The bearer of the chal-
lcnCe was James Jackson, whose wife
was Dukes cousin. Hanson not only
: accepted the CHALLENGE, but at the
same time repeated his denunciation of
Duke Lafayette Dunlap, then repre-
scnting Garra-d county in the legisla-
ture. was chosen by Hanson as his sec
ond.
The seconds chose sunrise. Jan. Il.
as the time. a narrow strip of land on
srI,. ito hn n
Of the Kentucky river as the place,
and dueling pistols al ten PAGES as the
weapons. Hanson and Dunlap speedily
repaired to Frankfort, where Hanson,
a1roaly an expert. occupied himself in
+ daily pistol practice. Duke went 20 his
fathers home. i'm Scott county. and
there. I'm the presence Of his Finsmen.
fred 100 shots to the satisfaction of
all. He had never used a dueling pis-
tol but his uuickly-acquired skill gave
him confidence.
The Duke and Hanson parties left
Fra NJ. fnU- On the same steamer the
day before tho duel Mutual friends.
fearing that Duke was recklessly en-
danC@rin- his life cnloavored TO con-
clliatc him. but their overtures were
srUrncd The boat steamed away
leaving 2 Iarrrn congregation of leTisl9-
tore state oH1nia'S and 0iti7~0s on
shore Whore tho encounter was n
take p'aoo only the nri"ci07ls. seconds
and SURGEONS know Poo ehi~g tho
town # Carro'ton. n the mouth Of the
Fortucl;y the two parties went ashore
to await ;ho coming Of the following
dav.
Inarly Thursday morning Duke arose,
wrote a hriaf note to Caroline Hick-
man. and i'm a s'ort time word came
that the Hanson party wcre ready for
the tourney Just at daylight they
nl, af G1rFa FaFsie
were ready for rhe word. The ground
wae stepped orr and the pistols handed
t. the principals. Two prominent gen
tlemen in the Marty, in a spirit Of mu-
tual friendship. approached Hanson
and asked him to anologize. He re-
fused and Dunlap gave the word to
prepare and fire.
The pistols cracked simultaneously
Hanson firing too low. Duke too high.
Thore was an interval of 10 minutes.
jackson won the second toss. At the
second firing Hanson's ball went near
Dukes head. and percertihly startled
him but Dukes went wide of the
mark There was another interval Of
FIVE minutes. and at the next shot
blood was shed. Hanson's clothing
was pierced under the left arm. and
Dukes RIGHT hand was squirting blood
This time the PRINCIPALS did not change
their positions while the pistols were
hoirc reloaded. Dunlap asked:
"Gnntlomcn. a"' You satisfied"
NJ" cpmr promptly from both.
Richard Hanson. a brother Of Roger.
here left the field. and stood near the
river bank until the duel was declared
at an end. The fourth round Dunlap
won the word and gave it more rapid
IL than before Both fired at once.
Duke stood unmovcd and untouched.
Hanson was seen to throw his pistol
into tho air. leap forward and fall
hsadl0nC 10 the earth. The large bah
had crashed through the right thigh
bone making a horrible wound. and
/ breaking also the left thigh.
The tunult of a moment before sub
sided, and, Mortified at the spectacle.
| friends and foes stood daZed in siCnif-
cant silence. Duke and his friends re-
crossed '''e river. leaving Hanson hor-
rihly manGle3 ana IN great agony. in
care uf the surgeon. Hans IN was taken
TO Major Eutlers house and there re
maintd in care OF Dir BlantOn until
moved to Lexington. He was a MEM
her Of the Kentucky legislature at the
time Duke. accOmpaniCd by n few
friends. went 10 Louisville. and then to
his home Eleven days later he mar
rird the Singul1rly beautiful Caroline
Hickman. who became the mother Of
/ FIVE handsome daughters and two sons
The pistols used 10y Hanson I'm this
/ historic duel belonged to Andrew Jack
! son, and were used by i'm in several
encounters. Dukes were Henry Cllys
/ and were presented to him by a
French nobleman. II was the same
pistol with which Clay had fought
I John Randolph Of Roanoke Humphrey
Marshall and James Jackspr had also
u-.l the weapon. Tho pistols were
similar. very long. single -barreled. and
. carried very large balls.
! Hanson recovered. but was lame for
I life. the right leg being somewhat
! s'.lrtcr than it, fellow and slightly
drrprred. Lexington being the home
! nf uan.ln. and Duke living nnar. they