Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1905-07-09
THE FIELD OF HONOR
CUELING IN NORTH CAROLINA IN
THE DAYS GONE BY.


PLY InvoIvcd-Thc Dismal swamp
Was n Fn'"ritc Meeting Place.
Duelins IN the Old North State In the
early days was not the light and airy
pastime which the French mako Of II
these latter years. The history of duel
Ing In North Carolina Is In most part
quite misty, and really authentic rec
ords do not go back more than cen.
fury. Up to the time Of the war OF the
Rcvolutlon swords were used almost
exclusively by duelists, though IN some
cases guns, pistols and even knives
were used. For example, about 1GO
years ago, near the old town OF Bath,
there was IL duel between two ship
captains, growing out OF quarrel
about IL thrilling matter, In which their
LETT hands were dashed together, while
each had dagger in the right hand
Each dagger was Fastened to the wrist
with II lanyard So that II 1t slipped
from the hand it could hr graSpptl.
Both men were killed In ills desperate
encounter, which was witnessed by
several persons, In the cold Doodel
fashion of that time.
Ducling continued to he much in
vogue until the period of the Mexican
wur--in fact, tlicrO were tlucls ND to
The time OF the civil war. Toward the
end OF the eighteenth century durllng
camo to he the fashion. and this went
over iuto the nineteenth century for
some years. The State university WAS
then In tie early stages OF existence,
and the president and faculty called
upon the famous Colonel William Folk
Of Raleigh, the greatest North Caro-
linian Of his tiino, IL distinguished
Revolutionary soldier, tho friend OF
Washington and OF Lafayette md the
fathcr of Bishop Polk OF Louisiana
(aftcrward notable lieutenant gen
eral In the Confederate servicc), to go
to Chapel llill. tho seat OF the uni
vcrsity, and by his prrccpt and exam
pie stump out ducllng. Colonel Polk
went and talked to tho students in
such IL way that ducls ended there.
Perhaps the most interesting Of all
tho fatal duels In the state was that
between Governor Richard Dobbs
Speight and John Stanley. This was
fought IN tho center Of the historic
town of Newbern in 1900. Newborn
WIS the most arlstocratic place in tho
stute. 1t had been for years the seat
of the royal government and for con-
siderable time OF the state government
under the federal constitution. The
duel was the result OF one Of the In
tcnscly bitter and prolonged political
controversies which marked TINT pc
Rod. The challenge was sent by
Spcight. and Stanley, exercising tho
right Of tho person challenged, chose
pistols ns the weapons. The place clio-
sen WAS Il lawn under some noble Gins
III the rear of tho Masonic Lodge, and
1t Is one OF the strange fucts that COM
plcte publicity was given to the affair
md that not the least effort was made
to stop 1t. I'm fact. number OF promi-
ncnt persons Witnessed It.
The friends Of Stanley pleaded for IL
reconciliation. not only before the duel,
but while 1t was in progress. After the
first exchange OF SLOTS, which was i'll
cffecluui, the friends OF Stanley urged
Governor Spcight to end the matter
and renew the OLD friendship. but he
refused, and so five times these men
took aim at each other and exchanged
shots. At the, fifth shot Governor
Spcight raised Ills hands, staggered
and fell, death resulting In few mo-
ments. Governor Speisht und Stanley
were nrstocrnts OF the highest type
Spcight md twice been governor a
son Of Stanley became governor Of tho
state Of California. Members OF both
families yet live In the state. Another
son OF Stanley became prominent dur
Ing the civil war because OF his up-
pointmGnt Ivy President Lincoln MS
governor of North Carolina. OF course
he could be in charge OF only that part
OF the state which was under federal
control namely, about fifteen coun-
ties. with Ncwbern rs the capital, the
Fcderals having occupied the latter
city In the summer OF 1SG2.
~ brother of John Stanley figured In
another duel, also ut Newborn. This
was Wright Stanley. and his antag0-
mist was Louis ID. Henry. The latter
was man of great talent md very
marked personal beauty, who in later
years became attorney general At the
time OF the duel Stanley and Henry
were quite young and ranked among
the leading bcauX OF North Cnrolina.
The duel grew out of Il trific. At II tea
party ut which several young ladies
were present Henry carclcssly Tipped
with his thumb and forctinger Il bit of
biscuit across the table and Into Stan
ley's cup of coffee. Stanley was deep
ly offended, colored high, rose from the
table, but resumed Ills seat end II little
later IN the evening sent a challenge to
Henry. This was ut once accepted.
aud tho details were arranged the next
day. III this meeting Stanley was shot
lnul aud Horny Inst u finnn,. nf the