The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1907-02-18
Ward Hill
Confined from sataraar.l
To which afr. Merryman replied:
Eri.aa Ga Bsa,a..ss.

Springfield. oct. 5, 1876.
Editors OF the Journal:
Gents-By your paper OF Friday I DIS
cover that General whiteside has pub
nsaed MS version OF the late AFFAIR be-
tween Messrs. Shields and Lincoln I now
bespeak a hearing of my version of the
same AFFAIR, which shall be true ana; fun
as to nif material facts.
On Friday evening tho 10th OF Septem-
Der ! learned that Mr.. Shields and Gem
erai Whiteside had started In pursuit OF
Mr.. lincoln. who was at fremont at
tending court. knew that Mt. Lincoln
was wholly unprneticed both as to the
diplomacy and Weapons commonly en-
ployed In similar affairs. and 1 felt II my
duty us a friend to be with him and 30
Tar m In my power, to prevent any nd
VANTAGE being taken OF him us TO either
MS honor or his life. Accordingly. Mr..
Butler n myself started passed Shields
and WhitesIde in the night and arrived nj
fremont ahead OF them on saturday
morning. l told Mr.. Lincoln what was
brewing and asked him what course he
Proposed to himself. He stated that he
was wholly opposed to dueling and would
do anything to avoid It that might not
degrade him in the estimation OF himself
and friends: but. II such degradation or
a fight were the only alternative. he
would fight.
In the afternoon Shields and whitesIae
arrived. and very soon the former sent
to Mn Lincoln by the latter the follow
Ign noto or letter:
fremont, Sept. II, 1870.
"a. Lincoln. ESQ., regret that my ab-
sence on public business compelled me to
postpone a mrtter OF private considern-
ton a'1ittle longer than I could have de-
sired. 1t will only be necessary, however,
TO account for It by informing you that l
nave been to Quincy on business tina
would not admit OF delay. I will now
state briefly the reasons Of my troubling
you with this communication, the dis
agreeable nature OF which I regret, as I
had hoped to avoid any difficulty with
any one in Springfield while residing
there. by endeavortng to conduct myself
IN such a way amongst both my political
friends and opponents as to escape the
necessity Of any. Whilst thus abstainIng
from giving p~royoeation. / have become
the object OF SANDER, vituperation and
personal u which. were / capable OF
submitting to, / would prove myself
worthy OF the whole OF II.
I'm two or tlhee Of the last numbers Of
the safigamon Journal articles OF the
most personal nature and calculated to
degrade me nave made their appearance.
On inquiring, / was informed by the ed
itor OF that paper. through the medium
OF my friend. General WhitesIde. TINT you
are the author OF those articles. This in-
formation satisfies me that l have be-
come by some means or other the object
OF your secret hostility. I viii not take
the trouble of inapiring into the reason
of all this, but I will take the liberty Of
requiring a full, positive and absolute re-
traction OF all offensive allusions used by
you In these communications In relation
to my private character and standing as
n man. as an apology for the insults con-
veyed In them.
"This may prevent consequences which.
no one will regret more than myself.
Your obi sesv't. JAS. sHIELDs.-
About sunset General whiteside called
again and received from Nj. Lincoln the
following answer to Mr.. Shields note:
fremont, Sept. II. 1sf2.
Jas. Shields. EEq.-Your note OF today
was handed me by General whiteside. In
that note you say you have been inform
ed. through the medium Of the editor of
the Journal. shat I am the nuthor.of cer-
tain articles I'll that paper which you
deem personally abusive OF you, and.
without stopping to inquire whether l
really am the author or to point out what
10 offensive in them. you demand an un-
qualified retractfon OF ali hat Is offensive
and then proceed to hint at consequences.
"Now. sir. there Ii in this so much as
sumption Of facts and 80 much OF n
as to consequences that I cannot submit
to answer that note any further than 1
have and to d that the consequence to
which I suppose o a!lade would be a
matter OF as great regret to me as It
possibly could to you. Respectfully.
"a. LINCOLN"
In o an hou General whitesfdc
called again with another note from Mr..
Shields. but after comforting with Mr..