The Press., 1916-03-29
STORY OF A RIFLE.
The Derringer Used In the Graves
 and Cilley Duel.
AND ALSO BY DAvY CROCKETT

is Stfii in 1ooo SonottioH--t "o "eet- 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
 certain derringer rife, catalogue No.
 95O9. This rife was used by Colonel David Crockett of Alamo fame and
 was also the weapon fired by Hon. William J. Graves in the duel with
 Hon. Jonathan Cilley, resulting in the death of the latter. 1t was made about
 hundred years ago and is still in ex- cellent condition.
 Colonel Wright Rives, U. s. A, who
 deposited the rife in the museum,
 states that it was made for his father,
 John Cook Rives, by Henry Derringer
 John c. Rives was one of the publish
 CTS 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 1S27-31
 the Alamo In the Texas struggle for
 freedom. Crockett seemed to particu-
 larly like this rifle and often joined the shooting parties to use it.
 The circumstances which led to the fatal duel between Messrs. Graves and Cilley of the house of representatives, in which this rifle figured so conspicu- ously, were quite unusual and more or less complicated. The report of the committee appointed by the house covers the story of this duel well. An abstract of it taken from Notes on Duels and Dueling," by Lorenzo Sabine, follows:
 On Feb. 12, 1888, Henry A. Wise of Virginia presented to the house a copy of the New York Courier and Enquir- CT, charging a member of congress with corruption, and asked for an in vestigation of the charge. MT. 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- l tuition and later received facilities amounting to $52,000 from the same which he then gave his hearty support, he did not think the recent charges were entitled to much | in Cilley was quoting published house | committee report on the subject, but lew days later the editor of the paper, Colonel James Watson Webb, address ed 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 un- dertook its delivery on the floor of the house for his friend Colonel Webb. Mir. 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 .o affirm or deny anything in regard to | Colonel Webb's character. MT. Graves vas not satisfied, however, and several | totes between them were exchanged. | with the result that MT. Graves finally | Mir. Cilley because he would
 ot say whether he refused the note on he grounds of any personal exception 0 Colonel Webb as man of honor.
 Naturally MT. Cilley denied MT. iraves the right to demand an abso- lte ives" or mo- answer and ac- opted the challenge.
 Their seconds, Hon. George w. ones. delegate from Wisconsin terri Dry. for MT. Cilley and Hon. Henry l. Wise of Virginia, for Mir Graves. ranged the details of the duel. which Tas fought with rifles at distance of bout ninety yards near the road to in Maryland. MT. Wise xperieneed some difficulty in securing
 rife for MT. Graves use, but finally in borrowing MT. Rives' der lnger rife.
 The duel was scheduled for 8 p. m n Feb. 24, 1888, and the two parties net near the boundary line of the Dis rict, on the Marlborough road. Mir 'illey was accompanied by his second. ir. Jones; his friends. Mir Bynum of forth Carolina and Colonel James w. chaumburg. and by Dr. Duncan of ttended by Mfr. Wise, his second; by is friends, Senator Crittenden and fr. Menefee of Kentucky, and pr. 'oltz of the city of Washington. The round was marked off and the con estants took their places, with rifles ocked and triggers set. MT. Jones ave the word. MT. Cilley fired first nd MT. Graves a second or two after i'm. but both missed. Despite the eff orts of their friends to adjust the mat Pr after each had been exposed to the re of the other, no satisfactory ar lngement could be made, and they ex- hanged shots again, also without ef- ect. Still being unable to agree after luch further argument, their rifles be- lg loaded, they went to their positions he third time. This time Cflley was hot through the body and killed.
 The congressional committee found IF. Graves guilty or a breach of priyi 'ges in the house, but held that AfI. illey had remained within his rights. l hey recommended the expulsion of Tr. Graves from the house and that le seconds and friends be censured.
 The Ink That Homer Used. Iii
 Ink of various hues was used by the ncient Romans. that of q purple tint {