The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-05-01


but being about to be overhauled by the
officers, Beirne took a Chesapeake and
Ohio express, soon passing by, eludinG
them, and landed safely in West Wiz
ginia. Elan, also, eluded the officers
to Richmond, and the two principals
were thus several hundred of miles
apart. Page McCarty, who was one of
Beirnes seconds, sat down in the State
office and so directed the movements of
his principal as to have him come by
private conveyance and otherwise to
near Waynesboro junction where Eam
was awaiting him on the spot indicated.
Probably no meeting of this character
was ever managed no neatly and so ac-
curately at so long a range.
1t was true that Bcirne had forgotten
his caps or one of his seconds had when
he met Riddleberger. Beirne, who lived
in Ashland started off before day in his
two-horse carriage with his seconds, and
driving through Hanover county, met
Riddleberger in the early morning. As
the weapons were being made ready, the
awful discovery was finally made that
there were no caps. The bag was search
ed, but to no avail: they We're not there.
When the fact was announced to Beirne.
he went almost into a frenzy; he fell
upon the ground and rolled on the pine
needles of the scrubby ground. The
seconds of Mr.. Riddleberger, having
been notified, they were told that if they
would wait short time, caps would he
Forthcoming and all would be well. Rid
dleberger, in the joyest of humor, said
he was sorry he could not accommodate
the gentlemen. but that he had another
meeting with Geo. S. Wise) set for four
in the afternoon; that he had met his
engagement with Beirne. was sorry. but
must say good morning. So off went the
Riddleburger party down the road, fol-
lowed by the Bierne party Close behind.
They had not gone many miles. before
at the crossroads, one Of Bierne's sec
onds went into the store and luckily got
n box of caps of Just the size for the
navy revolvers to be used The second
Fastening to the Riddleburger people
shook the caps in their faces and begged
Il meeting. This Riddleburger refused
and i'll Il few hours was standing up in
front of George Wise. with whom, near
by this spot. he exchanged three shots.
One shot went through George Wise's
hat. otherwise both were untouched. At
last they threw down their pistols, ex-
claiming they could not shoot, and two
political fiascos had been wound up for
that day. That night Riddleburger APP
peared before Richmond audience and
made ringing political speech. III which
he was greeted as the gallant Harry of
the Valley, who had fought two duels in
one day"
SIS ~
Beirne was as chiyalric IL soul as
high in honor and courage as any man
ii has ever been my fortune to know
of or to know This was how he was
known to all men. Thus one can
imagine the ''taunt" of ELAN came
with singing force. Beirne soon after
was II strong opponent of McKinney's
for the gubernatorial nomination,
though he had just turned thirty. Nc
Kinney was ahead four votes. and in
his speech of acceptance, Col. Mckinney
afterwards GOVERNOR, said; Il will
keep the keys safe for my good friend
Richard Beirne'' Beirne a few years
afterwards sank under paresis from the
excessive strains of his active and ag-
gressive life. and when the time came
around. Governor Mckinney found his
noble mind of Richard Bierne locked
even to those who loved him most
Soon after he passed away quietly at his
sweet Ashland home. and Virginia
sorrowed for Il son who promised much
in force and loveliness.
The duel between cx-Goxernor Cam
eron and the present Judge Il. w.
Hughes-it. too. was interesting, but it
will make all this too long. 1t was in
tended only to take these glimpses into
even nearby past to show how public
sentiment may change i'll a few years.
toward ways of doing which then seem
ed quite the only thing.
=
No. Fitz may die on the battlefield
vet. il he have a fair chance. but we do
not intend to squander him on Carranza.
Besides, Carranza will get enough adver-
tisement out of it as it is. That after
all, is probably the only satisfaction he
,e, asa