The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1907-03-09

he had handed me the broadsword propo-
sition on Tuesday heard SO little OF the
reading OF tho paper that | do not know
fully what Il rnrportcd to be. and / was
the less Inclined to inquire MS Mr.. Lin
coin was thcn gonr to Missouri and MIR.
Shields not yet arrived from fremont. In
fact, could not entertain any offer OF
the Kind unless upon my own response
billty. AMI that was not disposed TO do
after what had already transplred
make this statement rs ! am about tc
be absent for some time and | think Il
due to all concerned 90 give true YER
sion OF the matter before ] leave. Youf
obedicnt servant.
JOHN ID. wIuTESIDE.
To which Mr.. Merryman replied:
Springfield. Oct 3. 1879.
Editors OF the Journal.
Gents-By your paper of Friday l dis
cover that General Whitcside has pub.
lished his version of the late affair be-
tween Mcssrs. Shields and Lincoln. | now
bcSpeak "A hearing of my version of the
same affair which shall be true and full
as to all material facts.
On Friday evening. the 18th OF Septem-
Der | learned that Mr.. Shields and Cen
eral Whitesidc had started In pursuit of
Mr.. Lincoln, who was at fremont at
tending court. | knew that Mr.. Lincoln
was wholly uUDIdttlCfu DOM US 10 lnt
diplomacy and weapons commonly EN-.
ployed In similar affairs. and | felt II my
duty as a friend to be with him and Sc
far as In my power. to prevent any adj
vantage being taken OF him rs to either
his honor or his life. Accordingly. Mr..
Butler and myself started passed Shields
and Whiteside In the niGht and arrived at
fremont ahead Of Thorn on Saturday
morning. | told Mr. Lincoln what was
brewing and asked him what course he
proposed to himself. lIe stated that he
was wholly opposed to dueIing and would
do anything to avoid 1t that might not
degrade him In the estimation of himself
and friends; but II such degradation OF
fight were the only alternative he
would fight.
In the afternoon Shields and whitcside
arrived, and very soon the former sent
to MIR Lincoln by the latter the follow
ign note or letter:
Fremont. Sept. II. 1872
IA Lincoln. ESQ., regret that my alb
sence on public business compelled me to
postpone a matter Of private considera-
ton a little longer than l could have de-
sired. 1t will only be necessary. however
to account for 1t by informing you that |
have been to Quincy on business that
would not admit of delay. | will now
state briefly the reasons of my troubling
you with this communication, the dis
agreeable nature of which 1 regret, as
had hoped to avoid any difficulty with
any one In Springfield while residing
there, by endeavoring to conduct myself
in such way amongst both my political
friends and opponents as to escape the
necessity OF any. Whilst thus abstalninP
from giving provocatlon. l have become
the object OF Islander. vituperation and
personal abuse which. we're I capable OF
submitting to, / would prove myself
worthy of the whole OF It.
"In two or three OF the last numbers oi
the Sangamon Journal articles Of ths
most personal nature and calculated &c
degrade me have made their appearance
On inqulring. 1 was Informed by the cd
ltor OF that paper, through the medium
Of my friend. General Whiteadc that yot
are the author of those articles. This IN
| formation satisfies me that | have he
| come by some means or other the ob!ec
of your secret hostility. / win not tal;,
the trouble OF inqulring into the reason
| of all this, but / will take the liberty o
requiring a full. positive and absolute re
traction of all offensive illusions used b,
| you in these communications In relation
to my private character and standing III
| n man, as an apology for the Insults con
| veyed In them.
''rhls may prevent consequences which
| no one will regret more than myself
| Your ob't serv't. JAS. SHIELDS"
! About sunset General whiteside called
| again and received from Mr.. Lincoln tn
| following answer to Mr.. Shields note:
Fremont Sept. II, 1872.
Jas. Shields, Esq.-Your note Of toda!
was handed me by General Whiteslde. II
that note you say you have been inform
| ed. through the medium of the editor o
| the Journal. that am the author OF Ger
tain articles In that paper which yol
! deem personally abusive OF you, and
without stopping TO inquire whether
really am the author or to point out wha
| Is offensive In them, you demand an un
| qualified rotraction OF all that Is orfensv
and then proceed to hint Mt consequences
Now, sir, there IL in this so much ms
sumption of facts and 80 much Of menace
as to consequences that I cannot submit
| to answer that note any further than
have and to add that the consequence T.
which | suppose you ailudc would be
| matter OF as great regret to me as
possibly could to you. Respectfully
"a. LINCOLN"
In about an hour General Whitesid
called again with another note from MI
Shields. but after comforting with MI