The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-06-01
LAST DUEL IN Ttf= NAVY.
Midshlpman Killed Lawyer as Result
 of Quarrel Started by Others.

From the Philadelphia Public Ledger
 That settlement of quarrels by ap- neal to the code of honor was no longer to he the unwritten law of the Amerl- can navy was determined by duel Tn which William Miller, Jr, Pnllaoel- nhia lawyer was slain in personal affair fought along the northern circle of Delaware. The man who fred the fatal shot was Midshipman Charles G. Hunter and the encounter took place along Naamans creek on the afternoon of Sunday, March 21, 1850.
 Singularly enough, neither Miller, who lost his life, nor Hunter, who killed him. was principal in the origi- nal quarrel that led to the meeting on the bank of the little creek Tn Dela- ware. Neither had seen the other un- til a few hours before the challenge was sent and accepted.
 Simply a misshot in game or bil- liards played at Third and Chestnut streets led to the tragedy that plunged two homes into sorrow and embittered the life of the man whose pistol shot causelessly shed human blood.
 Henry Wharton Griffith and R. Dill lon Drake, prominent society men or Philadelphia, played the game Of bll- liards and Griffith made the misshot which called forth a taunt from Drake, who was immediately struck in the face with a cue by Griffith. A chal- lenge to a duel was sent by Drake, but Griffith declared that the challenger was beneath his notice, and that he would not demean himself socially by conspnting to meet him.
 Then followed long and wordy warfare. in which each posted the other as a coward. Luieutenant Dur yee of the United States navy was called in to make an effort to settle the dispute, and it was then that Mil Ter the lawyer and Hunter, the mid shipman, became involved in the quar- rel. Tn the heated discussion Hunter accused Miller of publishing a confi- dential letter and a challenge was at once sent by the midshipment and ac- cepted by the attorney.
 It was decided that the duel should be fought on early Sunday morning, of March 31, but it was nearly 10 o'clock before carriages containing the principals, seconds and surgeons left a house that stood on the present site of the German Demokrat office, on Chest nut street, above Sixth. The presence of the company excited some suspicion at Chester, where the party stopped for lunch, but they hurried down the post road, tied their horses close to the highway, and proceeded 200 yards be- hind clump of trees that would shield them from observation.
 AS the sun was setting two pistol shots rang out simultaneously as one of the seconds counted, One, two, three-fire!" Hunter stood unharmed , as the ball from his opponents pistol struck at his feet, but Miller cried out that he was shot, placed one hand on his breast and fell, with bullet lying close to his heart In few minutes he died. while pale and anxious faces watched the convulsive breathing of the dying man.
 Gentlemen" said Hunter. q had no enmity against this man. never heard of him until two days ago. Let those whose quarrel embroiled him be re sponsible for his death"
 After hurried consultation, it was decided that the midshipman should leave the state at once, and he was