Evening journal., 1912-01-29
new NEWS OF YESTERDAY
The Hitherto Untold Sequel
Of the Last Congress
SiOnaI Duel
By Holland.

JdiuCS ~. Dldlnc uocu ooihCtiiAACo "
say when speaking reminiscently, that
he had heard from the leading men of
Maine. who we're of an earlier genera
tion than his own. that the ablest men
sent from New England to Congress
in the late thirties was Jonathan Gil
icy Of Maine. No other New England
er Of that period. excepting Daniel
Webster, was thought to have Cilleys
intellectual ability and real gift for
craftsmanship.
Cilleys high reputation in Maine had
preceded him. so that when he took
his seat In Congress at the beginning
of the administration of Martin Van
Buren he was already regarded as one
of the leaders of that body and as a
young representative Of New England
who had the most promising future.
These high expectations, however,
were not realized. Cilley, before the
end of his first term, was killed in a
duel with a fellow-congressman, John
Graves of Kentucky. This duel was a
matter of national excitement. II was
spoken of as the Cilley murder. 1t was
the last serious duel to take place be-
tween congressman, for the popular
feeling which was aroused by 1t
caused such revulsion OF sentiment
as to make duelling thereafter un-
popular.
Probably never was a duel fought on
a slighter pretext; and that was one
of the reasons why public sentiment
was so greatly aroused Mr.. Cilley, in
a speech upon the floor OF Congress
had criticised an editorial statement
by General James Watson Webb OF
New York. Mr. Graves, who was a
Whig, was requested by General Webt
to call upon Mr.. Cilley. That meant
in the days Of the duel, that this next
friend would either seek explanation
--apology--or else would be the bear.
er OF a message in the form of a chal'
lenge 10 duel.
Mr.. Cilley was a warm persona
friend of Mr. Graves, and he said yer,
frankly TO Mr.. Graves that he did no
think he could be held accountable
personally. for anything which he sale
upon the floor of the House of Repre-
sentatives. Mr.. Graves thought tina
his own honor was affected by thii
reply, so that he fer called upon b.
the code of the duel to challenge Mr.
Cilley The challenges was accepted
The weapons selected were rifles. Th'
principals met with their second
upon the historic dueling field a
Bladensburg, a few miles east o
Washington. At the word, Mr.. Cille,
fired in the air Mr.. Graves shot wa
harmless. The terms of the duel callel
for an exchange of three shots. TIL
second exchange of shots. left eacl
principal untouched. At the third ex
change Cilley again fired in the al
and at the same moment fell, dying al
Most instantly Cilley was mourne
as a martyr to foolish code and to
mistaken sense of honor. Graves wa
almost made an outcast. He neve
fully recovered from the obliqu
which followed the killing Of Cilley.
Recently, Colonel John Cilley G
New York City, a nephew of Grave
victim. narrated to a few Of his fello'
members of the Union League Club
sequel to the duel which has hithert
never been made public.
Il know WE'LL" said Colonel Cille,
"the whole story of the duel in whic
my uncle was killed. | also know on
fact Of which the public never had an
knowledge. IL is this: No man wa
more greatly distressed at the deaf
of my uncle than was Congressma
Graves himself In the state of popI
lar feeling at the time he could M
make an explanation which he did a
terward to intimate personal FRIEND
and which came to the knowledge
my family. II was this;
"'Mr. Cilley and l were persons
friends. We had the utmost respe
each for the other. When we met
was because felt that meeting WI
necessary under the rules which the
prevailed regarding the defending
personal honor. I met Mr.. Cilley wit
out the slightest animosity. It was n
= purpose 10 fire into the air. / did fl
into the air twice and / saw that NJ
Cnley was doing the same thing. !
the third and final exchange Of sho
my rife went off prematurely II WI
purely accidental that my shot shou
have been made the instant IL wa
for l intended again to fire into Il
air fully expecting that after this fin
exchange of shots Mr. Cilley and
would meet again as friends, satisfi'
that all the requirements Of honor HI
been fully metz
Long ago | received this explain
ton OF the fatal consequences Of tn
meeting on the field of honor; and
have never had any reason to dou
its sincerity"
Copyright. 1912, by E. J. Edward
All rights reserved.
| Tomorrow Mr.. Edwards will tell
IAN incident of the Death of Theodo
Thomas.
5 Yerger's 419 Shipley street, for Pi