The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1909-01-12
AN AFFAIR OF HONOR AT
SAND BAR FERRY.
From the Augusta Chronicle of Dec.
II, 1879

(F'rom the Augusta Chronicle OF Dec.
II, 1879
\ short paragraph appeared in the
Chronicle Yesterday morning an
nouncing that a duel which had been
on the ''tapis" between MeSSrs. C. D.
Tilly and George E. Ratcliffe. Of this
city. had been settled. Such was the
impression at a late hour Wednesday
night, it being pretty generally known
that challenge which had been pass
ed had been withdrawn. But as the
sequel showed this withdrawal was
only temporary. and the affair ended
in a hostile meeting at Sand Bar Fer
~ Yesterday afternoon.
The entire affair was kept very
quiet, and it was not until the after
noon Of Wednesday that half dozen
persons, exclusive Of those interest
ed, knew anything about it. The
principals are both young gentlemen
well known in this community. Mr..
Tilly is a member of the firm of
Harris and Tilly, commission mer-
chants, Mr.. Ratcliffe is a cotton brok-
sr Of the firm Of George E. Ratcliffe
& Co. Mr.. Tilly is a native Of Ire
land and Mr.. Ratcliffe is a Mary
lander. Both have resided in Augusta
for several years.
The Origin of the Difficulty.
As far as we can learn, the trou-
bic grew out Of some offensive re-
ports repeated by Mr.. Ratcliffe in
reference to Mr.. Tilly, affecting the
latter's character as gentleman.
These reports coming to the ears Of
Mr.. Tillv last Tuesday he at once
wrote a note to the author. Mr.. Rat
cliffe replied Immediately, refusing
to give the name. Mr.. Tilly then
sent a challenge through his friend,
Mr.. J. W. Harris, to Mr.. Ratcliffe.
The latter designated Mr.. ". b.
Chew as his friend, the challenge was
accepted, and an agreement made to
meet at Sand Bar Ferry, on the
South Carolina side of the river, at
daylight Wednesday morning. Mr..
Ratcliffe having the choice Of wea-
pons. selected Colts navy six shoot
ters. The distance at which the
principals were to stand from each
and deliver their fire was ten PAGES.
The seconds were to toss up for the
word. Everything was soon arrang-
ed, and carriages to take the party to
the ground engaged. The matter had
progressed with the greatest secrecy.
Nobody but the principals, the Sec
onds and very few friends Of the re-
spective principals knew anything
about it. These friends determined
to bring about a peaceable solution
Of the difficulty if possible. and four
Of them resolving themselves into a
board Of honor, held a consultation
and persuaded Mr.. Harris to with
draw the challenge for twenty-four
hours. Mr.. Harris complied with
the request and it was this temporary
withdrawal that created the impress
sion that the whole matter had been
settled. Btu nothing was effected
and at ten o'clock Wednesday night
the challenge was renewed and an
agreement made to meet at the
grounds originally designated-a
field on the South Carolina side Of
the Savannah river, about half a
mile from Sand Bar Ferry, at 5
o'clock p. NJ, Thursday.
Historic.
Tie SnoL chosen is almost as his
toric a dueling ground, as Bladens-
burg. It was close at hand that Red
killed Copeland in one Of the most
sanguinarv duels on record. 1t was
within a stones throw that other
contests of a less bloody terminal
tion took place. Sand Bar Ferry is
the "Ultima Thule' in all affairs
under the code Of honor in this sec
tion of the country, in fact combat
ants from the interior Of the State
and from South Carolina have met
there. The particular locality Sc
1ected on this occasion was a large
field to the east of the Ferry road,
the rail fence on the western side
running along the highway. The
field itself is just on the brow Of the
hill beyond an old tumble-down mill.
\ few small houses once, and per-
haps now. occupied by negroes. are
OF the wcst Of the road. The spot is