The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1916-04-07
STORY Of A RIFLE

The Derringer Used In the Graves
and CiIIey Duel.
AND ALSO BY DAvY CROCKETT
Il Was Made About q Century Ago and
10 Still In Good condition-Ths Meet.
ing That Resulted In the Death Of the
Maine Congressman.
Among the thousands Of relics in the
United States National museum at
Washington there are few objects more
replete with historical interest than a
certain derringer rifle, catalogue No.
$500. This rife was used by Colonel
David Crockett of Alamo fame and
was also the weapon fired by Hon.
William ]. Graves in the duel with
Hon. Jonathan Cilley, resulting in the
death Of the latter. 1t was made about
a hundred years ago and is still in ex-
cellent condition.
Colonel Wright Rives, U. s. A., who
deposited the rifle in the museum,
states that it was made for his father,
John Cook Rives, by Henry Derringer.
John G. Rives was one Of the publish
ers of the Congressional Globe, now
the Congressional Record, and knew
many congressman, several Of whom
he was accustomed to take out to a
field for rife practice. Among them
was David Crockett, pioneer hunter,
soldier and congressman from 1S27-331
and 1885, who later lost his life at
the Alamo in the Texas struggle for
freedom. Crockett seemed to particu-
larry like this rife and often Joined the
shooting parties to s it.
The circumstances which led to the
fatal duel between Messrs. Graves and
Cilley of the house Of representatives.
in which this rife figured SO c%onspicu-
ously, were quite unusual and more
or less complicated. The report Of the
investigating committee appointed by
the house cover the story Of this duel
well. An abstract Of it taken from
"N0tes on Duels and Dueling," by
Lorenzo Sabine, follows:
On Feb. II, 1888, Henry A. Wise of
Virginia presented to the house a copy
Of the New York Courier and Enquir-
er, charging a member Of congress
with corruption, and asked for an in
vestigation of the charge. Mr.. Wise
stated that the author of the article
was vouched for by the editor of the
paper and that the house was called
upon to defend its honor. Jonathan
Cilley, member from Maine, opposed
the resolution and in debate said that
If 1t was the same editor who once
made charges against a certain insti-
tuition and later received facilities
amounting to $4,000 from the same
institution, which he then gave his
hearty support, he did not think the
recent charges were entitled to much
credit in an American congress. Mr..
Cilley was quoting a published house
committee report on the subject, but q
few days later the editor of the paper,
Colonel James Watson Webb, address
ed a note to him asking If he were the
editor referred to and, If SO, demand
ing an explanation.
This note was directly responsible
for the duel between Cilley and Will
liam j. Graves Of Kentucky, who I'M
dertook its delivery on the floor Of the
house for his friend Colonel Webb. Mr..
Cilley refused to receive the note, be-
cause he chose to be drawn into no
controversy with Colonel Webb, stat
ing that by so doing he meant no dis
respect to the bearer. But he refused
to affirm or deny anything in regard to
Colonel Webb's character. Mr.. Graves
was not satisfied, however, and several
notes between them were exchanged,
with the result that Mr. Graves finally
challenged MI. Cilley because he would
not say whether he refused the note on
the grounds Of any personal exception
to Colonel Webb as q man Of honor.
Naturally MI. Cilley denied MI.
Graves the right to demand an abso-
lutte Eyes" or mo- answer and ac-
copied the challenge.
Their seconds, Hon. George w.
Jones. delegate from Wisconsin terri
tory, for Mr.. Cilley and Hon. Henry
A. Wise of Virginia, for Mr.. Graves,
arranged the details Of the duel. which
was fought with rifles at a distance of
about ninety yards near the road to
Marlborough, in Maryland. MI. Wise
experienced some difficulty in securing
a rife for Mr.. Graves use. but finally
succeeded in borrowing Mr.. Rives' der
ringer rifle.
The duel was scheduled for 3 p. m.
on Feb. "a, 1888. and the two parties
met near the boundary line Of the Dis
trict, on the Marlborough road. MI.
Cilley was accompanied by his second.
Mr.. Jones: his friends. Mr.. Bynum Of
North Carolina and Colonel James w.
Schaumburg. and by DR.. Duncan of
Ohio as his surgeon. Mr.. Graves was
attended by Mr.. Wise. his second: by
his friends. Senator Crittenden and
MI. Menefee Of Kentucky, and DR..
Foltz Of the city of Washington. The
ground was marked OF and the con-
testants took their places. with rifles
cooked and triggers set. MI. Jones
gave the word. Mr.. Cilley fired arst