Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-11-10
atli5eellanroue Rmdiug.
EARLY CALIFORNIA DUELS.
How Political and Business Disputes
Were Settled.

arose in a large measure from the pc
culiar conditions of the early bonanza
DAYS. With those conditions the semi
barbaric custom has passed into histo-
ry. Duelling might have been looked
for justly enough among the miners
and the rough heterogeneous element
of fortune hunters who led the train
of emigrants to the Golden West. But
it was not confined to the uncouth by
any means. Public officials ever sought
to settle their differences with lead,
say the San Francisco Chronicle, and
this method of settlement usually put
an end to the difference at any rate.
Every schoolboy is familiar with the
history of the Terry -Broderick duel,
and that may be passed for others OF
which history makes little or no men,
ton.
Previous to that affair of honor dur
ing the campaign Of 1853, Philip w.
Thomas, district attorney Of Placer
county, made some remarks regarding
]. P. Rutland, a Democrat Of his own
county and a clerk in the state treas
urer's office If the remarks were in
tended to cast reflections OH he char
acter of Rutland they were not amiss.
Rutland, considering that the gaunt-
let had been thrown at his feet, inVit-
ed the district attorney to Sacramento.
Dr. Dickson of San Francisco a warm
personal friend of Rutland, was in the
capital city at the time and he convey
ed to Thomas the formal challenge.
Thomas received Dickson with cere-
monious courtesy, but his answer was
direct enough not to be misconstrued:
"Dr. Dickson, take it that you are
gentleman, and as such l treat with
you," he said. But as for this fellow
Rutland, l have no dealings with him
and am not called upon to answer him
in any way l treat with gentlemen
alone"
You have done me the courtesy to
admit that while a friend Of Mr.. Rut-
land 1 am nevertheless a gentleman"
replied the doctor. Il shall endeavor
to perform the functions OF both a
friend and a gentleman. 1 ask you,
then, to consider this challenge per-
sonal from myself"
IF you knew the true character of
this man whom you call friend you
would not take up his rows" protested
Thomas. Il assure you that there is
.ho& hox RI
ing him. for it is all true, as I can es-
tablish by reliable proofs"
DR.. Dickson was not satisfied, how
ever, and demanded a complete written
retraction of all that had been said by
Thomas against Rutland. Thomas
firmly declined to comply and accepted
the only alternative.
Accordingly the two parties met at
Oak Park, about nine miles northeast
of Sacramento, on March 9, 1854, by
appointment Thomas was seconded by
Dr. Hamilton Bowie Of San Francisco
and DR.. Dickson was attended by Judge
Edward MCGOWAN, also of San Fran
cisco.
The principals chose their weapons,
regulation duelling pistols, and the fif-
teen PAGES were measured. With up
raised guns they awaited the signal.
At the drop of the flag both fired.
Thomas, however, pulled his trigger
first and he found his mark. Dickson
fell, mortally wounded, but as he was
81 1, LOT oh
ground at the feet of his antagonist.
This quarrel arose indirectly over
the senatorial aspirations of David
Broderick. There were other duels
fought over the same mans political
bee during the year 1854.
B. F. Washington, manager editor of
the Times and Transcript, published
an anti Broderick article which reeked
with political satire, and something a
little worse perhaps. The answer was
forthcoming from the pen of Editor
Washburn of the old Alta. Then fol-
lowed a printers ink duel, in which
personalities were indulged in. The
result was bloody duel, fought near
San Francisco on March 81, 1854. The
Alta was wrong evidently, for its edi-
tor received a wound which nearly cost
him his life.
The day before this duel another fight
was held at Volcano Bar, on the mid
die fork of the American river, over
the same argument The principals
were ]. S. Landon, reader and sup
porter of the Times and Transcript,
and David E. Hacker, whose sympa-
thies were all with the Alta. Indeed he
had expressed his opinions openly in
publication. The senator's cause was
vindicated, for Landon fell dead in his
tracks.
Excitement prevailed in Nevada City
at the election in 1853. The Democratic
party had advanced as a candidate for
the assembly a man named Billy Ma
son. leader of the "chivalry and bowie
knife" wing of the party. The re-
turns showed a complete victory for
the Democrats in every office except
that for which Mason was a candidate.
AS soon as the returns of the ballot
ing showed Mason that he was defeat
ed he went to Larks drug store on
Main street, obtained a pistol and
rawhide and in company with R. A.
Davidge, postmaster of the town and
editor of the Young American, started
out to find H. c. Gardiner, who had
been most active in procuring his op-
ponent's victory. Mason located Gardi-
ner in the baroom Of the Phelps hotel
and announced his presence and his
desire TO make a few remarks by
thrusting a cooked gun under Gardi-
ner's nose while he struck him across
the face with the rawhide. Gardiner,
leaning against the bar, drew a pen
knife, which was his only weapon.
There was no blood shed that night,
but it was agreed to meet and fight it
out on fair terms at 9 o'clock in the
morning.
Gardiner obtained a navy pistol at
the express office and started for the