The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-06-27

countenanced but encouraged the settle
ment OF personal difficulties by persohai
combat. The Code Of Honor was elabor-
ately worded with nice DISTINCTIONS anu
however, reprehenslble It MAJ appear 70
modern ideas. its main object was 10
place the combatants upon an equahty
and remove from p~ersonal combat all
element OF cruelty or blood-thirstiness.
Until comparatively recent years its hoiu
upon the Virginia public was sucn tndt d
resort TO II In case OF a personal attach
upon character was as much Il measure
OF self-defence as a repulse OF q pnys'cai
assault. No man could retain MS ihnueiice
and standing In the community VINO io.-
feited his character. and no man couid
retain his character who tameiy suomlttei
to insult. Hence the frequency Oh Tesoi1
to the duello.
In 1916 Thomas RitdQis. Sr., was IN
Washington editing the Democratic Gov
eminent organ; the Enquirer was pelhs
conducted by his sons. There appedrea
in IL a communication over the signature
OF Macon stating that Mr. Peasants was
about 10 found an abolition journal. Al
that time anti-abolition sentiment in Vir-
ginia ran extremely nigh. and no more
mortal insult could have been possibly
No. - E''AAk mon '~
him OF sympathy with a party which was
thought TO be secretly working to incite
a servile insurrection. Mr.. Peasants did
not approve of the Code OF Honor. but felt
compelled to protect his character and
show the public that he shrank from a
duel only because he did no wish the
blood Of a fellow being on his hands, not
from fear OF his own life.
Being In the position where ne must
necessarily LAY been the challenging
party if a duel had been fought. and not
being able to bring his mind to tho point
OF sending a formal challenge, he sent a
message to Mr.. Thomas Richie. Jr., TO
the effect that on the morning OF Febru-
airy 18th. 1876. he would be at a designated
point on the south bank OF the river near
Manchester, armed with side arms oaly.
and would attack him. Mr.. Richie pro-
tested against the arrangement anl ox-
pressed a willingness 10 receive Il chal-
lenge. but stated tina he wouli be on
hand. Accordingly. early the rext NOM
ing they met upon the ground, "hi'h was
between two deep canals nos mnie tran
thirty feet wide. The Two groups were
200 yards apart when Peasants advanced
upon Richie in the most deteff1inr mtn-
ner. Richie. knowing the courage and
chivalry OF the man who was 10 confront
him, naturally was fully armed, hGNlng
several pistols and a cutlass. Sle2sants
had two pistols. though but single :hot.
and n sword cane, and after MS second
had left him the previous night he Grew
the ball from one Of his pistols. Every
thing indicated that he had no intention
of seriously wounding Richie, ard had
simply put himself up as Il target, though
Of course this was unknown TO Richie.
~ rpI-..,ta haI ndNQnIG0 Wlfnln
thirty PAGES Richie first fired and wound
ed him in the shoulder. Peasants fired
the only pistol which had a ball in II and
missed Richie, probably Intentionally.
He continued 10 advance. and by the
time he had reached the point where
Ritchie was standing he had received nVe
wounds. When up to Richie he fired the
unloaded pistol. the only effect OF when
WAS 10 stagger Richie from the force
of the conclusion and the wad. lie ala
not even unsheath the sword cane, but
struck Ritchie with 1t. knocking on the
ebeath and bending IL 50 that il was USE
less. BY this time the shock from so
MANY wounds caused him TO fall and he
was borne from the field. He expired two
days afterwards.
4 REMARKABLE FUNERAL.
The painful affair produced an indie
scribable shock throughout the State.
when the facts became known IT was
plain that he had practically inundated
himself upon the altar of public opinion.
and had given his own life rather than
take the life Of another.
His funeral was an era In the history OF
Virginia. No distinction Of party appear
ed. but frlenl and foe alike shed tears
over his bier. His death was not in vain'
for the revuls.on against the duello began
from that time. and its opponents became
more and more numerous. He sleeps IN
HOLLYWOOD mid many distinguished COM
peers and political friends. Upon his
monument was the following inscription.
prepared by his friend Edward William
Johnston. No word Of 1t is oyerdrawn.
John Hampden Peasants,
Died Feb. eth. 1916,
In the 5Oth wear OF his age.