The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-05-10
DUELS IN CALIFORNIA
FIGHTING EDITOR JOHN NUGENT'S
THREE SERIOUS AFFAIRS.
Was Wounded Twice and Once
Brought Down His Man with q
Pistol Ball in the Side.

San Francisco Chronicle.
A recognized exponent Of "the code"
in the days when dueling was a popular
pastime in California was John Nugent,
for many years editor of the San Fran
cisco Herald. Fighting" John Nugent
he was called, the fact that he had thrice
figured as a principal in affairs of honor
having gained him the title.
There was a stringent provision in the
State Constitution against dueling, and
that one man should have violated the
law in his own person three times, and
this within a comparatively short period,
without being brought to punishment.
might we'll seem little strange to any,
one not familiar with the condition of
society in CALIFORNIA; early days.
In point of fact, the press, which should
have taken the lead in opposing the con-
slant violation of the law, was either al
together silent on the subject, or, by the
precept and example of those conduct
ing the journals Of the period, gave 1.-The
code" encouragement and support.
1t was not strange that Nugent should
have been repeatedly engaged in quar-
rels, considering the fact that he was
newspaper editor and one whose hot
Irish blood would not allow him to pass
over anything that he considered unjust.
AS a result, the editorial columns of the
Herald at times fairly bristled with caus-
tic criticism of public officials and others.
The first Of these verbal castigations
which resulted in challenge for the VIC
tim was delivered early in 1852, the object
of Nugent's roast being John Cotter,
who represented the Fourth ward in the
ly enraged, demanded written apology
and retraction, which Nugent CURLY re-
fused.
Cotter thereupon Immediately chal-
lenged him. and Nugent promptly ac-
cepted.
1t was at first intended to have the duel
come off near the Presidio. but owing to
the danger that the affair would be
stopped by the sheriff and the principals
arrested it was finally determined that
the men should meet across the bay in
Contra Costa county.
FOR THE BATTLE GROUND.
On the morning of July Is, 1852, the
steamer F.. Corning left its wharf in San
Francisco, having on board the seconds,
surgeons and numerous friends of both
parties, the principals having departed
for the scene of the impending encounter
| on the night before, in order to avoid
any chance of being interfered with.
There was some reason for this, for
the local authorities. having learned
what was going forward, as they could
not well avoid doing, had determined to
put stop to it. They lost their chance,
however. the boat leaving an hour earlier
than she was scheduled to depart. with
| the result that she was beyond the juris-
| diction Of the local officers when they
| arrived at the dock with their warrants.
| The place selected for the encounter
| was a point near where the town OF
| Rodeo now stands, and Immediately on
| the landing of the steamer there was a
| wild scramble for horses and carriages.
| In a few moments nearly two hundred
men were in full gallop for the field,
| which was understood to be two miles
| distant from the landing place.
The meeting had been fixed for IL
| o'clock. and at five minutes before Cot
ter and his friends were on the ground.
L OWllt6s AOWCtCls W SOilC ltiiSoiA0CA Stoi1o-
ing Nugent did not arrive until after
half-past 2 o'clock. His delay caused
some very ugly rumors, rejecting on his
courage, to be circulated, but these were
quickly silenced by his friends, although
it looked at one time as if there would
be more than one duel.
The preliminaries were soon arranged.
a perfectly level piece OF ground being
selected, upon which the distance, ten
PAGES, was speedily measured on The
revolvers. duly loaded by the seconds,
were then handed to the principals.
Nugent was very neatly dressed in a
closely buttoned frock coat and black
trousers. and wore black velvet cap.
Cotter, however, had not given any par
ticular attention to his toilet The Sec
onds Of Nugent won the word, and at
ten minutes before o'clock the nrst
shots were fired, but without effect.
At the second discharge both men EVIL
IDENTIFY desired to reserve their dre, but
Nugent's pistol exploded drst. Seeing
that he had missed, ho calmly proceeded
to recock his weapon. and while doing %
xoce9yed cotter'o bah II be 1exE tn1gns