Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-03-19
FIGURED IN FAMOUS DUEL.
Pistols Used by Burr and Hamilton
on Fatal Field,

on Fatal Field.
Rochester Correspondence New York Tribune.
1t makes ones breath come quickly to
feel his fingers curl round the grip of the
pistol from whose muzzle sped the bullet
which killed Alexander Hamilton nearly 100
years ago. Beside it in the old shagreen-
lined wooden case lies its mate, the one
which Hamilton fired into the air as he fell
mortally wounded that morning at Weehaw-
ken. By strange trick of fate that pistol,
the one which did no harm. has suffered
the more from time. Col. Burrs deadly
weapon is as good today as when he aimed
straight for the heart of the man whom he
hated with lifelong rancor. They have a
bloody HISTORY, these two slender, snake
like pistols. and survive as grim witnesses
Of a period and a school of ma nners which
have gone by forever.
The owner OF these historic weapons is
Major Richard Church of No. 11S Troup
street, Rochester, formerly of New York
city. They came into his possession by
right OF descent, for he is the grandson of
the man who loaned them not only to Ham
ilton, but also to Hamiton's son. The
grandfather's name was John B. Church,
who in his day was the intimate friend of
Washington, Lafayette, Rochambeau, Adams
and other men famous in the early days of
this country. He had romantic career
himself and was a close companion of
Charles Fox and Pitt in England Major
Church has among his store of invaluable
autograph letters one from Fox Of a most
characteristic nature It tells its recipient
when he can expect the remainder of debt
which Fox contracted over the cards
But to return to the duelling pistols.
John B. Church came to Boston in 1875
from England as an underwater. Soon
after the revolution broke out in fury and
he espoused the cause Of the colonies. At
its close MIR. Church went to Paris. There
he remained for about a year and a half,
going thence London In ua
turned to America in 1877 and took up his
residence In house belonging to John Jay,
at what was then No. AZ Broadway, New
York city. just before he left England
Mr.. Church went into WogdoRs gunshop
and purchased pair of duelling pistols in
a wooden case. Wogdon was the foremost
gunsmith of London in those days, and the
pistols were of his best make. The code
was at a f1ourishing period of it's career
then, and no gentleman who set himself
up as such could afford to be without his
set OF duelling pistols.
These pistols are simple in construction
The barrels are smooth BORE octagonal in
build, so in caliber, with fiintlocks and a
quick trigger. The stock and forepiece are
of one piece of heavy, highly polished black
walnut. The grips are checkered, to admit
Of a firm and unwavering hold. About a
half inch back Of each muzzle Is little
polished brass sight 1t was over one of
these that Aaron Burr drew his bead ON
his adversary and dropped him in his
tracks.
John B. Church had been out" with Burr
himself five years before. Mr.. Church had
returned from Albany and repeated some
gossip which he had heard concerning
Burr's relations with the Holland Land
Company. Burr learned Of what he had
been saying and asked for explanations
Mr.. Church replied that he had no expla-
nations to give, as what he had stated he
had been particular to characterize as Cos
Church. The latter promptly accepted and
the two men met at Weehawken, which
was a retreat much frequented in those
days by gentlemen who desired inter
views" as they were grimy dubbed.
Burr missed entirely while Church's bull
let clipped a button off Burr's coat. For
three years the pistols remained unused
Them young Philip Hamilton, Alexander's
son, had a difference with j. G. Ecker
Weehawken was sought and young Hamil-
ton was killed, on almost exactly the same
ground where his father fell two years later
Philip Church, son Of John B., and father
of Maj. Church, was young Hamiltons sec
ond, and borrowed his fathers pistols for
the encounter. They seemed fated: When
lenge and decided to accept, he said to Mr..
Church. who was his brother-in-law: II
don't know what weapons to use against
Burr
"Why don't you take my pistols?" re-
piled Church. II used them on Burr and
they made his buttons fly
Hamilton took them, with the tragic re-
suits now recorded part of history.
The pistols were given into the keeping
of Hamiltons second, Nathaniel Pendleton
DR.. David Hosack, who attended Hamil-
ton after he fell says that Pendleton gath
cred them up and took them with him to
the barge ON which the dying Hamilton was
being conveyed across the Hudson to the
Bayard house. He writes that Hamilton
sat up, and, glancing at the pistols in the
case, said: Have a care for that pistol 1t
is cooked and loaded" He fired, It will be
remembered, as he fell, his bullet shipping
the leaves from a tree over Burr's head
t,,,f !, icnn ont To he n516 hat hf0
weapon had been discharged. Pendleton
returned the pistols to Church the next
day. Major Church says that the pistols
saw service twice afterward in affairs of
honor but without drawing blood from
either adversary.