The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-07-18
THE PERRY-BYNUM DUEL.
IT'S STORY TOLD AFTER TEARS OF
SILENCE.
Perry n Union Man Among South Caroiinn
Nuiiiners and the Object OF n Murderous
Plot which Bynum Was 70 kxecute-Bi,
True Shot and Bynun's Death.

Perry n Union Man Among South Carolina
Nuliiners and the Object or n R1urderous
Plot which Bynum was TO Rxecute-Bls
True Shot and Bynum's Death.
For sixty.6ve years tho newspapers of South
Carolina kept silent about the Perry-Bynum
duel. Not only the newspapers kept silent, but
the people. too. for though the fact OF the duel
had national fame, tho circumstance were not
widely known. Now that all the persons con-
cerned in the duel are dead, Prof. W. A.. Dickson
OF Townvillc, Anderson county. has given the
full story OF the meeting.
Tho duel between benjamin r. rvrry, inurs
Governor OF South Carolina, and Turner Bynum
was a consequence OF the bitterness that charnc-
terized all discussion, public ana private, of the
question of notification. II was ut the begin
ming of the year 1892. Perry was only 81 years
old, but he had won n reputation as n lawyer,
had made himself felt as n factor in poll.
tics. and was editor OF q newspaper In
Grccnville. He was handsome and more
than six feet tall. His physique, together
with his dignity and courtesy, held the atten-
tion of all who saw him. In 1880 he became a
strong Union man, and espouscd the unpopular
side OF the notification controversy, pouring
hot shot into the ranks of the nulliHers through
the columns Of his newspaper. He knew that
this placed him in danger OF personal violence,
hut he was q stubborn and a fearless man when
he know he was right. The n~ullifers saw that
he was in their way, and they put their heads
together to get rid of him.
Turner Bynum of Columbia was the man go
lected for the task. He had been graduated re-
Gently from the South Carolina College. He had
unquestionable courage and was one Of the best
shots in the State. He was brought to Green
vile and put in editorial control of the nulliica.
ton organ to engage Perry in a personal quarrel.
The scheme worked up to point OF Bynum's
death at Hatton's Ford on the Tugaloo River.
Perry was all through life strongly opposed to
duelling. He was forced into this meeting; ao-
cording to the code and public sentiment he
could do nothing but meet his antagonist on
the field OF honor. He accepted Byndm's chal.
lenge as a deliberate test of his courage.
The meeting took place in February or March,
1882. on the large island at Hatton's Ford. on
the Tugaloo. Prof. Dickson does not know who
Crook Of Greenyiic. Capt VALLEY. a low:
fSS ynan.s aeco aaGinF wh Ss his p'n sufseon was wa:
is not known Capt Andrew Hunter, a
seventeen at Pendleton at that time, and no
says he frequently saw Bynum at the home Of
for consultation and target practice just before
the final encounter. He describes him as a fine
Of determined GnIe dn mSien. and %1 says he n Was maoS o snc
died by the low country gentlemen, nearly all Of
them ZEN rampant nullihers;
neighbornood OF the duellfng ground several
days before the time set for the meeting and es-
q house now owned by Mrs. w. p. Norris. and
Bynum at the place now in the possession of
adjustment OF the diffculty were the order Of
the day. Each Of the principals became so eD.
Perry's second left him walking up and down
attempt at an papdjestmens. When % the second anni
returned. saying that his mission had been fruit
less. Perry walked to his apartment and was
seen to kneel in PRAYER beside his bed. As soon
as he rose from his knees he and his friend went
IL s9 ael tsi in a car n{snSm T @Sil ei the 1 prsli@ afoHe ts
were being arranged Bynum displayed conf
pale.
The distance was measured about 100 yards
t ihiray .9 fee, u df tbe @ saI OF on 'h 1be iS wes,.q ana si T,'hl II
pits dug for The purpose. Bynum, Tired on the
his bullet grazed Perry's chest on n line with the
heart, Perry's bullet pierced Bynum's abdomen
left hand. placed at his side. Bynrm sank to
to the ground and his surgeon, and friends
shots had died out across the water. The red
Bynum's bullet. looked ike blood. His surgeon
tore ii open with nervous fingers. Then his
voice rang out eNultantly:
Upon my word. sir. you're not hurt"
Then he turned 70 see what he could do for
long. quick steps. Presently he came back and
said quietly: Il want to speak TO Bynum."",
IA group dEOunL the "ounueu mar IelI D1C4
as Perry advanced and said:
II hope, sir. you are not MORALLY hurt"
Bynum looked up and replied:
" | would hate TO die of SO trifiing a wound: /
hope to live TO renew the fight"
Bynum was game until his last breath. Perry
lifted his hat, gave him q compassionate look,
and hurried of to the home of his parents, III.
teen miles up the river and two miles from
the news that he had fought. They must have
had an inkling OF the meeting. however, or he
would not have travelled at such Ii great speed
to tell them of his safety.
Poor Bynum!" SAYS Prof. Dickson in con-
ters that morning full OF life and hope and was
brought back within an hour n dying man.
That was IA portentous hour to him. an hour OF
awful sacrifice, in which he stakcd all the issues
est and surest shot. and lost. He died in a few
hours and was buried that night or the next in
a pitiless wintry rain at the stone church. near
Pendleton: Two giant pines. standing at tho
head and foot not ten feet apart, rear their lofty
heads above his lonely grave
After Bynum's death his friends of an hour in
the bitterness OF their disappointment turned
their backs on his young brother who had come
to. witness his brothers triumph. The young
fellow soon found himself penniless and friend.
less. Perry heard of this and went to the young
man'T relief, giving him a liberal supply OF
money and sending him to his home in Column
bia.
In the excitement OF 81 and SO Perry was
still q strong Union man; in 1850. when South
CAROLINE was at white heat for secession. he was
still a Union man. When the State went out OF
the Union. however. he went with her.
After the war he was selected by President
johnson for Provisional Governor. He died a
few years ago at his country home. Sans Souci."
near Greenville. Only once was Perry known
to ailude to his duel with Bynum, and then
spots in my life"