The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-02-10

"A year or so later I had a slight
understanding with Majah Fair
banks. of the Sixteenth. Maiah was IL
peppery sort o man. sun and he lost
his temper and declared that the Sew
enteenth fell into a panic and was dri-
ven back a mile. Here was another bud
to be nipped, and lost no time in say
ing:
'NIajah Fairbanks if you win name
a friend we viii go out at once and see
how far the Seventeenth viii fail back
on this occasion
The Majah was a bit taken back
sun, although he knew me for fighter
and knew how dear I held my hOnahs
but he nodded his Willingness and we
met an hour later. Poor Maiah. His
bullet went through my shirt sleeve,
but mine ended his rising career for
ever. / think he meant to apologize to
me, subj think he did-but death came
before he had time.
THE next inquirer was Judge Mar
shall. YO' may have heard of him. sub.
1t was he who decided on the bench in
the case of Carter VS. Cartwright, that
no true gentleman could be upset by
six drinks of whisky in day. The
Judge had decided to write a book on
the Wah. and while preparing his notes
on the battle of Gettysburg he thought
he discovered that 7 had not fully re-
allied the gravity of the situation. In
other words, sub, he came to me to ask
how I could sit down and play poker
thousands. I was dumbfounded for
moment Then L stepped back and fold
ed my arms and queried of his honah:
sub, there is time for Joking and
a time. to be serious. Are yo' joking or
are yo' serious2"
Never mo- serious in my life. Col
onel. he replied.
Then yo' mean to say that there
is a doubt in yor mind as to whether
j was dying at the head of the gallant
Seventeenth on the last day at Gettys-
burg or INDUCING in game of poker
at the rear?'
Just slight doubt. Colonel Bun
ker, but / am heah to take yo'r word
sub. Captain Taylor is yo'r friend
/ will send Captain Walsh to him. Let
the meeting take place at sunrise.
We met" continued the Colonel after
slipping at his glass. Il was on the
ground five minutes ahead of the Judge,
but he showed up. He was a proud
man, sun and he didn't lack courag &c.
We fired at the word, and he went down
with a bullet in his shoulder. was un-
touched. I was about to leave the field
when he called to me and said.
Colonel Bunker, let me say that /
never believed that story for a moment.
1T was set atiOat by some enemy Of
yo'rs, and should ] hear it repeated I
shall call the repeater a her. Yor
bravery is beyond question: and here s
my hand on it.
TT was very pleasant, sub. to hear
such words fall from the lips of man
like Judge Marshall, and I took his hand
and met him half way.
THAT didn't settle the Gettysburg
business. however. When I was run
ming for the legislature after the close OF
the wah, we had a hot campaign Of it.
I warned my opponent. who was a citi-
zen named Truesdale, to keep hands
OF my military reputation, but at pub
lie meeting he inquired where I was
when the climax of battle was at hand
whether was leading my brave boys
10 death at the front OF taking a. mar
in baggage wagon at the rear. Ar
hour later I was saying to him:
sub, / understand that 20 are curl
Gus to know just where 7 was when the
climax OF the battle OF Gettysburg
came
not at an
But sab, insist that 70 do.
might have been asleep instead Of bleed
Ing Tor nay country, yo know. If yo
would kindly favor me with a little in
terview in the maWning III endeayol
to set the question at rest"
DO 70 mean a duel2' ne asked, as
he turned pale.
AS gentleman, sub. yo should
know what / mean. Kindly make fht
hour soon after sunrise, and I win uro.
vide pistols for both
Egad, but Mr.. Truesdaie didn't relish
IL a bit. said the Colonel, as he emptfet
his glass and smiled. Il sent a frient
TO a friend Of his to arrange the details
but he wouldn't arrange. He came t.
my house at O'Clock in the mawnini
10 declare that what he said was ali .