Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-11-10

Englishman who had run away from
home to follow the sea. AS the glasses
were reflled the feeling grew hotter
and a challenge passed. The following
morning. armed with pistols and ac-
companied by seconds and friends,
the combatants crossed the American
river and took their positions at twen-
ty PAGES on the site Of what was later
Buckner's Bar. At the signal both men
fired and both missed the mark.
Load again." cried the colonel,
throwing his gun to the ground. Mel
VILE was willing, but friends interven-
ed and a settlement was reached. The
remainder of the day was spent in
talking and drinking.
Another shooting affair, with a less
pleasant ending, took place on Muir
derer's Bar about this time Black
Walker-so called 10 distinguished him
from Kentucky Walker, Long Walker,
Scotch Walker and One Ear Walker
conducted a small general merchandise
store in a tent A claim had fallen
into his hands in return for some
goods and on the Saturday upon which
the water was to be turned into the
new fume which crossed this claim,
Walker went out to the ground. To
his astonishment he found the property
in the possession of two "Bluegrassers"
by the names of Beck and Rice.
Beck, who was an athletic young fellow
just out of law college, lost his temper
and threw Walker into a pond. The
shopkeeper emerged wet and very an
CRY. Il amt a match for you young
fellows that way, maybe" he cried.
But | know what way am, and when
l come back I'll be prepared for busi-
ness. you can bet your lives! You'd
better fix yourselves"
When Walker returned from his tent
he carried a shotgun. Beck meanwhile
had borrowed navy revolver and was
waiting.
Look out there, everybody, cause
there's going to be some fireworks!"
Walker is said to have called to the
several hundred men who were in the
immediate locality. He walked to with
in a few yards of Beck, when he paused
and raised this gun to his shoulder
Two shots rang out together, but Beck
was the one to fall. The young fellow
struggled gamely to his feet, but could
not raise his right arm.
II can't shoot; you use the pistol
he said to Rice. The partner took the
gun and Beck fell to the ground dead
He had been hit by buckshot in four
teen places. Rice lost his nerve and
threw the gun to the ground.
Hang him." somebody shouted, and
a mob was soon surrounding Walker.
The man held his ground firmly how
ever and declared that the first man to
move a step closer to him would get
the other dose Of buckshot.
Then somebody in the rear cried,
"Oh, give the poor devil chance! Let
him have a fair trial." This sentiment
prevailed and Walker was allowed to
go to his tent unmolested.
Coloma was the most convenient
town and it was there Rice went for an
officer. He was gone four days and
when he returned with deputy sheriff
he found Black Walker waiting to be
taken into custody. The sentiment by
this time was all for Walker and he
never came to trial. But he sold his
few things on the bar shortly after that
and left the country.
Some details of this gunplay serve
as a reminder Of the Dibble-Lundy
duel, which was fought at Industry Bar,
on the main Yuba, in 1851. The prin-
cipals were George NJ. Dibble and E.
B. Lundy, known as Jim. Dibble was
a graduate of the naval academy at
Annapolis and resigned from the navy
on hearing the wonderful tales Of easy
wealth to be found in California. Lun-
dy was big, powerful Canadian, with
bullying disposition and a bad rec
ord He had lost an eye in a fight in
Sacramento.
Dibble and Lundy, with ]. c. More
head, C. E. G. Morse and several 9TH
ers, took the part of a number Of Chi
nese who had been driven from their
claims by white men and in turn drove
away the oppressors of the Celestials.
The night after the white men had
been routed from the mines a general
iollification was held and angry words
followed the jests Of good fellowship.
Lundy called Dibble a name which Of
Tended him and challenge passed.
Lundy was a dead shot and to Dibble's
friends the challenge meant suicide.
He could not be dissuaded however,
and sunrise of November l, 1851, was
selected for the settlement of the quar-
rel
The men met at the hour, Dibble at
tended by Gen. Morehead and Lundy by
C. E. G. Morse. They selected their
pistols and the fifteen PAGES were
measured. Lundy was perfectly cool.
He indicated the spot on Dibble's breast
where the fatal bullet would strike.
Though evidently so confident Of his
aim Lundy turned a towards trick. AS
Dibble was waiting for the signal the
Canadian fired at the fatal spot which
he had selected. Dibble, fatally wound
ed. threw mis- pistol to the ground, re-
fusing to shoot and waving off proffer-
ed assistance. AS he turned to walk
away he exclaimed to Lundy with con-
tempt: You're a nice one! You're a
gentleman. You fired too soon!" He
took two PAGES back and dropped life
less to the grass.
Though Lundy was arrested and in
dicted for murder two juries failed to
reach an agreement and the district
attorney finally entered nolle prosequi
in the case. Lundy went to Sonora,
where he met a horrible end in a fire
which consumed the one hotel in the
town The charges of incendiarism
which were made were not followed by
any arrests.
One outcome Of the Indian war in