The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1910-09-13

having lot to say and thinking that
every one should see things as he saw
them. Miller was retiring, said very
little and never forced his opinions
upon others. | reckon an excitable
man is more easily irritated by one of
these fellows who when you go for
them shut up like a clam than any
other kind. Hewson knew that Miller
was straight Union and insisted on
arguing the point with him. When he
found that Miller wouldn't talk he lost
his temper, called him a traitor to the
south and wound up by saying that If
he wasn't with the south he'd better
get out of it.
1T was easy to see that all this was
very annoying to Miller. We were all
surprised that he didn't resent what
Hewson said, and some set him down
for white feather man. Possibly
Hewson thought so, too, and that's the
reason he kept on adding one insult
after another, vowing that he would
drive the black Republican out of the
state or into the Confederacy. All this
happened half a century ago and is
now pretty nearly forgotten. The is
sues that then were of such impor-
lance are now buried. Human slavery
was not extended; it died
1.-THE day news came that Lincoln
was elected separated US pretty much
on to one side or the other. Those who
were inclined to secession before, but
didn't avow their sentiments, now
showed their colors. and as they were
In the majority the rest kept quiet.
Some Of the secessionists were mighty
aot against those who wanted to throw
off the Lincoln yoke four months be-
fore Lincoln would be in a position to
put yoke ON to them They weren't
even willing to wait for the state to
secede. Among these was Ben Hew-
son. He talked to knots of men and
to individuals, being far more bitter
against what he termed the rene
gades of the south than the northern
people.
when the ordinance of secession
passed the legislature every vestige OF
restraint vanished from the secession
lists. Ben Hewson Immediately set
about performing his promise to drive
Ed Miller out of the state or into the
COnfederacy. He put up notice on
a wooden tree box directly in front Of
Miller's door written with his own
hand: Those who are not with US
are against US. Let them 60 Every
one who passed it read 1t and looked
up at Millers house. All looked grim,
knowing that 1t was a thrust of Hew
son against Miller and might be seri-
Gus.
MILLER scnt for one of his intimate
friends and told him to go to Hewson
and say he proposed to remain where
he was and that if Hewson wished to
drive him out he would have to do so
at the point of a weapon. Hewson
wished to know IL this was ehal-
lenge Miller's second said 1t was not.
Then Hewson said that he would be-
gin shooting the next time he and Mil
Ter met. Miller's friend persuaded
Hewson to refer him to second. The
two seconds, anxious to make the at
fair as bloodless as possible, arranged
the following terms: At 10 o'clock In
the morning each principal should
leave his house armed with AZ cali
Der revolver, only one chamber Of
which was to be loaded. Both lived
on the main street of the town, and
they were to walk toward each other
and fire at will
'Hewson was very much put out at
this arrangement. which, he believed,
would result in nothing serious to Ell
Their party, and refused to abide by 1t.
But his second told him that If he did
not he (the second) would have moth
ing further TO do with the matter, and
Hewson reluctantly consented.
when this prospective affair got out
we were all very much surprised first,
that Miller had decided to fight. and.
second, that single firing should de-