The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-26

course of his remarks adyocating the sdon-
10 uon &c OF the resolution Wise said the editor
or the paper, James Watson Webb, vouched
LOT the truthful character of the writer.
Cllley opposed the passage of the resolu-
II the editor mentioned was the same ed
ltor who had once made grave charges
against an institution of the country (mean-
ing the I nited States Bank), and afterward
was said TO have received facilities to the
amount of $500 from the same institution
ana gave 1t to his hearty support he did not
tnlnk ms charges entitled to much credit
IN an American Congress-" This staten snt
made by Cilley in regard to Webb's action
HOUSE, which had investigated the matter.
FORCING THE QUARREL
Webb addressed note to Cilley in regard
to his remarks. Graves was the bearer of
this note, which Cilley declined to receive.
Graves stated that after the conversation
between him and Cilley when Webb's note
was rendered and declined, it occurred to
him that he ought to have Cilley state the
reasons for his declining to receive Webb's
note in writing. He spoke to Cilley about
1t, and Cilley suggested that Graves adj
dress him a note stating what he wished
and that he would answer II. Graves stated
that there was no disagreement between
them as to what was said, and that he was
greatly surprised when he read Ctlley's an
swer. This statement is contradictory to
what Cilley told his friends.
Graves in his first note stated that his
understanding of the reason why Cilley de-
clined to receive Webb's note was, that
you could not consent to get yourself into
personal difficulties with conductors Of pub
&c journals, for what you might think
proper to say in debate upon this floor, in
discharge of your duties as a representa-
tive or the people, and that you did not rest
your objection, in our intercourse, on any
personal objections to Colonel Webb as
gentleman.
Cilley answered that he declined to re-
T1Ofn hna I ohn f0 M
drawn into no controversy with him. |
neither affirmed nor denied anything in re-
gard to his character, but when you re-
marked that this course might place you
in an unpleasant situation, l stated to you,
and | now repeat, that | intended by the
refusal no diSrespect to you.
After delivering this note Cilley said to
his friends that it would lead to a chal-
lenge, as it was the evident intention to
make him acknowledge that Webb was
gentleman, which he would not do. At the
same time he would not state that he did
not regard him as gentleman for that
might make some of his people think he
sought a duel, which he did not. He told
Senator Pierce, afterwards President that
he was certain Graves, whom he had
to insist that he should recognize Webb as
a gentleman or force a quarrel on him,
and that the correspondence would result in
a challenge being sent him.
Graves, in his second note, said Cilley's
answer was 'inexplicit, unsatisfactory and
insufficient In this that, in declining to
does not disclaim any exception to him
personally as gentleman. l have. there
fore, to inquire whether you decline to
receive his communication on the ground
of any personal exception to him as gen.
tleman or man of honor"
Cilley answered, expressing regret that
his note was not satisfactory and closed
by saying: But / cannot admit the right
on your part to PROFOUND the question 10
which you demand a categorical answer,
and therefore decline any further response
to it,
GRAVES CHALLENGES CILLEY.
Graves sent Cilley challenge by his Sec
ond, Henry A. Wise, which Cilley ace epted.
George w. Jones, a member of the House
from Wisconsin, afterward senator from
Iowa, became his second. The weapons
selected by Cilley were rifles; the distance
eighty yards. The positions were to be deter
mined by lot, the losing party to give the
word After the question, Gentlemen, are
you ready?'' neither one answering MOI
the word was to be given thus: "Fire-one,
two. three, four" neither to fire before the
word fire" nor after the word -four" The
dress was to be ordinary winter clothing,
either party having the right to examine
the clothing of the other. The meeting was
to take place at 10 m. of the day stated. The
meeting did not take place at IL M, but art
er p. m, Graves being delayed In Gettng
a gun being assigned as the cause. Clley
party waited nearly an hour at Anacostla
bridge, when, the other party arriving, both
parties went out the N1dIlDOIO IOdu dHlil
what is now called the Ridge road was
reached, when they turned down that road
and entered an inclosure on the lett, at the
foot of the hill. The ground fought upon
now belongs to a Mr.. Brown. The exact
spot is now only known to Colonel Wright
Rives. The ground is within the DlStrlct'
though the parties supposed 1t was IN mary
The line was located at right angles to
the sun and stepped off by both seconds with
locked arms. They overstepped the distance,
it being measured afterward and tound 70
be ninety-two yards. Wise won tne poslt on,
and chose the western end OF the hne, where
Graves was not so much exposed to the
wind, being protected by timber Cllley
position was in the open, and the GROUND
than where Graves Stood The wind was
blowing strongly in an acute angie TO tne
line and in the direction Oh Cfie eHhic wo1Id
weigh a pound, and Cilleys rifle pail, loz
of which would weigh pound. 1t was con-
creased distance and the light bali, Cllley
was put at a disadvantage. Neither party
examined the Others clothing Jones ss gave We
fine word Cileys rifle went off before he
was ready: Graves fired with some delibera-
ton; neither was hit
Wise asked for conference e, ERE cranes an9 had
instructed his second not to consent to any
settlement unless Cilly admitted tnat
Graves had not carried the note OF MIN
who was not a man of honor and not
gentleman 1t does not appear that WISE
told this to Jones. but he asked that '5l NY
claimer that would satisfy Graves Jones
submitted the following; .. r.oo;vo
''That when Cilley declined to receive
Webb's note he meant no dlSreSpect 10
Graves. because he entertained for MN
then as he does now, the highest respect
and the most kind feelings, but that ne de-
cIined TO receive Webb's note because ne
chose not to be drawn into any contro-
versv with Webb" or. if that was not sat
isfactory. that 'he refused to disclaim dls-
resnect for Webb. because he does not
wish to be drawn into any controversy WITH
him This was not satisfactory, ana an
other exchange of shots was had Graves
lost hig shot, and Cilley fired. as delio-
erately as possible, but missed. Graves de-
manded another shot. DIR. FoltZ, Graves
SURGEON. said that the fingers of both prin-
cinals must have been numb, as the ia!
was very cold.
THIRD AND LAST SHOT.
Notwithstanding Graves's demand for an
other shot. Wise asked. for another confer
ence, which was granted, and considerable
time was consumed in fruitless endeavors
to adjust the quarrel 1t was now that
Wise said that Graves insisted that 'he
must defend the honor of his friend Webb,
and that he has not borne the note of a
man who is not man of honor or gen.
tleman.'' But not even then did Wise in
innate there was a question of veracity
between the principals as to what was said
when Graves rendered Webb's note TO Gil
s.. 90 me-