The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-02-01
WRITTEN FOR THE SUNDAY REPUBLIC.

WRITTEN FOR Il SUNDAY
There are quite likely as many affairs OF
honor in this. the early part of the new
century, as there were In the first score
years Of the last, but other modes less SEN
sational than the duel code having come
into popularity their adjustment does not
have the effect of thrilling and shocking a
whole community, IL not the entire world;
and present-day historians are spared the
necessity of recording the detail of deeds of
bloodshed perpetrated In connection with
political or social differences. and condoned
by the public at large, 100. or even fifty
years ago, as an acceptable and legitimate
way for a gentleman to ''vindicate his
honor"
In the same year-lsO4-that the territory
of Upper Louisiana was formally trans
ferred to the United States in the town of
st. Louis, the now historic duel of Aaron
Bury and Alexander Hamilton occurred in
Observation-Disclosures Burr being the
challenging party. and Hamilton killed.
Charges of murder Were made against
Burr, and an Indictment procured. mainly
through the efforts Of James Cheetham, the
then editor of the American Citizen, a pa
per published in New York. This drove
Burr from the State. and then began his
dream Of empire" which finally led him
TO association with ennerhassett-a man
OF great wealth I'm his time-and at length
to arrest for treason. The duel with Hamil-
ton marked the beginning OF 4 long series
OF misfortunes in the life of one of the
most ambitious men of American history.
Early st. Louis had her share Of noted
duelists. One of these. in particular-fierce
enough to furnish the melodramatist with
an acceptable subject or study-was Colonel
John Smith.
His name was written with a capital '"T''
at the end to distinguish him from other
John Smiths and to indicate his native
State-Tennessee.
Hearing that Burr was going down the
Mississippi to cross over and whip Mexico,
then a Spanish Province, ne decided to join
him and take a hand in the fighting that
Smith T, with his accustomed brace of pis-
tolls in his belt, started with his party in
canoes from Ste. Genevieve down the Mis-
sissippi River to join Burr.
OTHER DUELS ADDED
NoTCHES TO HIS STICK.
When he reached New Madrid he found
there President Jefferson's proclamation de-
nouncing Burr and his enterprise as unlaw-
full. Colonel Smith T. sold his canoes,
bought horses and returned to Ste. Gene
We've, to find that the Grand Jury, then in
session. had indicted him. with others of
his party, for treason.
Following this came 4 series of duels to
add to the 'notches' on Colonel Smiths
stick and gave st. Louis and vicinity much
TO talk about. In 1929 Colonel Smith r.
went to Nashville to challenge General Sam
Houston to fight a duel, but General Hous-
ton declined to accept the challenge OF the
Missourian ard backed squarely and man
fully out.
SO famous did Colonel smith 7. become as
a duelist that when he walked the streets
of st. Louis he was the object Of great at
tention. and when he raped at the door of
a friend to make a call neighbors watched
from their windows to see IL the outcome
would not be the gentleman Of the house
leaving with his second to flight it OUT
with the ColouelA