The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-20

lard- -Breckinridge trial, public sentiment had turned against the approved slaughter of romantic epochs, and thereafter dueling practically ceased in America.
 But 100 years ago man who refused to defend his honor with sword or pis- tel met only public scorn. When Alexan- der Hamilton went on the field at Wee lawRen, N. J., to meet his death at the hands of Aaron Burr he left behind him an essay on dueling, In which he con- , cemned the practice without stint of lan- guage.
 The Burr-Hamilton duel resulted in the death of Hamilton and the ruin of Burr $ reputation. The coroner's jury returned 0 verdict of murder, and Burr was com pelled to go into retiI in South Car olina, later returning to serve out his term as vice president.
 Some Early American DueIs.
 There were some duels during the Amer icant Revolution. Charles Lee fought john Laurens. in which Laurens was wounded. and there was duel between Cadwallader and Conway in ITS, in which Conway was hit in the head, but recov- cred.
 One of the signers of the Declaration of independence Button Gwinnett, was Killed in a duel with General Mcintosh In May, 1777. In 1775 Captain Gum chal- lenged General Greene twice, but Greene refused to fight. He wrote Washington that if he thought his personal honor would suffer from his refusal he would accept Gunn's challenge. Washington ap- proved Greenes course.
 Andrew Jackson was a great duelist, and was ''out' several times. He killed Charles Dickenson in a duel, and at the same time received wound from which he really never recovered.
 After Andrew Jackson became Pres- dent, however, his attitude changed on dueling, and he cashiered four naval off Cors for meeting to settle their quarrels according to the code he had held in sucn high esteem in his early life.
 Abraham Lincoln declined the challenge to a duel sent to him by Gen. James Shields
 Decatur Killed on Field of Honor.
 In 1920 was fought al Bladensburg, Md, one of the saddest duels in the history of tne code It was the encounter between Commodore James Barron and Commo- oore Stephen Decatur Both were dis tinguished officers of the United States ravy. Decatur was killed at the first shot and Barron was dangerously wounded
 Another famous BladensburG battle w3s between Congressman Jonathan Cilley of Maine and Congressman w. J. Graves ot Kentucky, in 1925. Cilley had criticised an article in the New York Courier and En- Grirer, which was edited Ey Gen. James Watson Webb. Webb went to Washing ton and sent challenge to Cilley by Graves Cilley declined to receive the communication. It is said that Henry Clay advised Graves that the 'damne Yankee" had insulted him by refusing. So Graves persecuted Cilley until he agreed to fight Cil,ey was killed and Graves was never returned to Congress.
 General Webb, who had rushed on the I.z x.t, p, falt with his death wound, fought a duel v years later with Thomas r. Marshall of K Nentucky Webb was wounded, and when lie returned to New York was indicted for leaving the state with the intention of giving and receiving challenge" He pleaded guilty and was sent to prison, but was pardoned after he had served two weeks
 DueIs Fought by Henry Clay.
 Henry Clay fought several duels. Ha was wounded in an encounter with Hum phrey Marshall, in 1909. Marshall was ielso hit more famous duel was that in which Clay and John Randolph, sena- tor from Virginia, were engaged. The duel was fought at the Virginia end of the Chain Bridge, just above Georgetowi. D. C., April 8, 1926. Randolph's pistol vent off prematurely. It was reloaded and when the signal to fife was given Clay's bullet passed through a flannel 7 al essing gown worn by Randolph Ran uclph fired in the air. The two were great friends afterward.
 Randolph declined to fight duel with General Wilkinson of the army, in 1897. because, as he said, he could not descend to Wilkinson's level. Wilkinson posted rotices in many public places denouncing Randolph as a coward.
 Houston's Meeting With White.
 Gen. Sam Houston of Texas, when he was in Congress had lively fight with General White of Tennessee (then his own state), whom he wounded dangerously. Houston went to White on the field and tsld him that he was sorry-that the fight had been forced upon him. T know, ssid White. and l forgive you This was in 1926.
 The last duel fought at Bladensburg