Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-12-13
atliseellaasuus Rsading'
LAST SOUTH CAROLINA DUEL,
II Was Between Cash and Shannon
Twenty Three Years AGO.

The last duel fought In South Caro-
lima, according to the regular duelins
code, was fought about twenty three
years ago when Col. E. B. Cash shot
and killed Col Shannon.
This duel occurred at Dubose'S
bridge, then in Darlington county, but
now in Lee.
The people Of the lower part Of this
state have this Incident fresh in theil
memories, but the majority Of the up
country people have forgotten 1t. Al
the time, it caused great deal of tall
all over the state, but a greater part
of this talk subsided when Col. Cash
was acquitted by Darlington jury.
It will be recalled that Col. Cash was
one of the most prominent citizens OF
his community. He owned considera-
BILE land and was a prosperous planter
His wife was a Miss Ellerbe Of one OF
the best families in lower South Caro-
lima
When the war between the states
broke out, Col Cash was one OF the
first to 60 to the front He was elect
ed colonel Of regiment, which posi-
ton he held until his term, to which he
had been elected, expired. When the
second election of officers Of the regi-
ment was held, Col. Cash's name was
dropped out. 1t is said that on this ac-
count he put some one in the ranks In
his place, and then returned to MS
South Carolina home, saying that men
were needed on the farms to raise pro-
visions for the men in the army.
It seems that Col. Cash's wealth real
" belonged. to his wife and when they
separated, she placed her estate In the
hands Of Shannon & DePass, promi-
nent attorneys in Camden.
Mrs. Cash had a brother named BOZ
Ellerbe, and 1t is frequently said that
he caused the differences to exist be-
tween Col. Cash and Col Shannon
which resulted in the duel. Others
say that Col. Cash, in need Of money
looked to Col. Shannon to supply his
need. which Col. Shannon refused to
do. It Is a matter Of history, however
that Col. Cash and his young son, Ell
lerbe Began Cash, Jr., who had only
recently graduated as captain at the
Virginia Military institute, became en-
ragged with Col. Shannon and that both
of them started by private conveyance
from their country home at Cash's sta
a. oh l.
non. It is further said that the father
did not know that the son was on the
same mission, nor did the son know
that the father was on his way to issue
a challenge. They made their trip sep
arately, and when young Cash arrived
at Camden, he found that his father
had been there before him and had al
ready accorded Col. Shannon chal'
lenge, which was promptly accepted
Young Cash, although disappointed
then challenged Col. Shannon's law
partner, Mr.. Depass, and likewise this
challenge was accepted.
1t was arranged that Shannon ane
the elder Cash should meet at Dubose's
bridge on a certain morning at sun
rise. Col Cash was an excellent shot
His reputation was known far ane
wide.
True to their honor, Shannon anc
Cash appeared at the dueling place a.
the appointed hour 1t is said that Col
Cash wanted to test his pistol before
the duel and that he did fire one sho
through board in fence and that NJ
afterwards emptied the remaining
shots in the chamber through the same
hole.
The decision as to who should hav'
first shot was duly arranged according
to the dueling code and it fell to Col
Shannon's luck that he won. Col
shannon, who either was very mucl
excited or because he was poor sho
fired wide Of his mark. 1t Is said tina
his bullet hit in the mud directly II
front Of Col Cash and that it spatter
ed mud on Col. Cash's clothes. Thi
did not unnerve the steady colonel, 10
ne placed himself in position and hre'
and shannon dropped uedu'
1t has been said that Col. Cash wor
a breast plate at the time Of the due
but this rumor has been denied by nj
friends and associates. Col. Cash wa
arrested and his trial followed, whicI
resulted in a verdict Of mot guilty.
1t Is said that he had friend In IN
Jury room who had agreed with hin
to display by a signal with his ham
how the jury stood after retiring wit
the case and that after being out som
time Col Cash learned from his frien
that several were for acquittal and tn
others for conviction. He then retire
to get a full nights sleep withou
waiting to learn of the verdict.
The duel between young Cash an
Mr.. Depass never materialized. 1t wa
arranged that this duel should tax
place in Anson county, N. c. AS MI
Depass' road to the dueling place le
him through Chesterfield court house
he was arrested there and put under
peace bond. Some people have init
mated that he allowed the news to g
out to the court house before he ar
rived there that he expected to pas
through on his way to the duel. Thi
may be doing him an injustice, but we
it is claimed by Cash's friends.
Col Cash died at a ripe old age. Hi
son had quite different ending. H
was shot down and killed by posse
who had been ordered by the governo
to kill him at sight. He had kille
several people and he had been declar
ed an outlaw.
1t will be recalled that he and hi
bosom friend, Sam Lee, were found i
a hut in a dense forest on the Pee De
river and that the posse surrounde
the house at daybreak one morning an
began firing through the weather
boarding. Lee was the first inmate t
leave the house. He jumped out of tn
door and was recognized by some o
the members of the posse. But tn
men in the posse on the other side o