Arizona republican., 1903-07-05

suits were freely exchanged between the two, and Mason challenged McCar- ty, who was his cousin. The challeng- ed party proposed that they jump from the dome of the Capitol. then that they fight with pistols over a barrel of pow der, and finally, that they struggle to the death with dirks. All these inter- esting suggestions were objected to by the seconds. who gravely stigmatized them as unusual, extraordinary and opposed to the code of honor" but the matter was settled with muskets load ed with ball at ten feet. It is needless to state that the result was most san guinary. for Mason was killed out right and McCarty recovered only after long illness.
 These and other duels had given the place an i'll name and an evil reputa- ton, when the country was electrified by the startling news of that deplora- ble affair in which the gallant Decatur lost his life. The quarrel had arisen between the two post captains. Barron and Decatur. over the incident of She search of the ill omened Chesapeake by the British prior to the war of 1912 and the subsequent court-martial of Barron. who at that time was in com VI Nit~ lil6olG lOcNdluT was d member of the board of judges which so severely punished the delinquent. and had afterward. with d hostility that now seems somewhat uncharit- able, opposed all the efforts of his dis graced brother officer toward reinstate- ment in the navy. A long and rancor- ous correspondence ensued Urged on by interested mischiefmakers, the dis pute was carried past the hope of friendly adjustment. All the prelimin- aries having been arranged. duel was decided upon for March % 1S20i
 The men met on the field. and short conversation occurred between them. which was evidently in a conciIitory tone, as Barron was overheard to reply to remark of his opponent: Would 10 God you had said as much yester- day. Nevertheless, the two officers squared off, faced each other at eight paces, raised their pistols and at the hrst utterance of the signal of the old duellng code-"One, two. three, four. stop'-fired almost simultaneously. both fell, and Deca turs second, Lieu tenant Bainbridge. rushing forward. found him to all appearances dead. In a lew moments, however he recovered consciousness and asked to be moved 10 the side of his antagonist, who was seriously, and at the time believed to De mortally, wounded. A few almost lnaudlble remarks passed between them, of which enough were heard to assure the listeners that a reconcilia ton had taken place. Barron murmur- ed something to the effect that he hon. ed that they would be better friends in the lie to come than they had been in thls, 10 which the other responded; II have never been your enemy. sir" They Were removed in carriages to Washing Ston-Decatur to his mansion III Lafayette square, where he died ear " the next morning, and Barron to the hospital, where, after many months of pain, he recovered. It is a curious fact that both were absolutely opposed to duelins on principle, but were constrain- ed. the one to prefer and the other to accept. the challenge, because they be- heNed that their profession of arms forbade them to do anything else
 One morning in the summer of 1896 / in cornfield near the town. two young midshipmen went to settle their dis pute by an appeal to arms The first. named SherbOurne, was exceedingly re- luctant to engage, and said to the other. son of the composer. of .The star Spansled Banner" MT Key, I have no desire to kill you" His antag- onist returned: No matter. I came to kill you" This was not encourag
 ing. and Sherbourne answered: Very well. thsn. l will kiu you" which he promptly proceeded to do. as Key fell dead at the first fire.
 A duel which was really Inore n case of murder than an affair of honor was fought in IS3S at Bladensburg. and. more than any other single instance. served to develop the rapidly growing sentiment against the foolish practice. The aged Jonathan Cilley, because of