The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1916-06-02
STORIES FROM The
AMERICAN HISTORY
ABRAHAM LINCOLN WAS ONCE
CHALLENGED TO A DUEL
CALLED OFF.

the past century, and very frequently
for what appears to have been mere
Iy a trivial offense. The State of
Illinois was no exception, and many
duels were fought in that State. the
last fatal one occurring in February,
1919. between Alonzo c. Stuart and
william Bennett. which resulted in
the death of Stuart.
Abraham Lincoln, who later be-
came President, was one of the vic
Tins in an absurd duel which result
ed i'm little more than blum. The
origin of his difficulty was politics.
In an article published in the Sagamo
Journal of September 2, 1912, Mr..
Lincoln made bitter attack on some
actions of the State officials relative
20 the collection of taxes
The article was decidedly rough in
language, and written in a testing
style apt to cut deep. Special refer
ence was made to State Auditor
Shields, who was held up to ridicule
personally as well as officially. Mr..
Shields, being OF Irish blood, was
very much aroused. Seeking the edi-
tor OF the paper, he demanded the
name of the anonymous writer of the
Objectionable article and 1t was given
him.
Mr.. Shields sent Mr.. Lincoln note
brist,ing with the desire to fight.
Finally Shields dispatched a formal
challenge, naming Gen. Whiteside as
his personal friend. to which Lincoln
Immediately replied with DR.. Merri-
man as his representative. The two
friends met and secretly agreed upon
some terms by which the hostile
meeting should be avoided,
Mr.. Lincoln had business that call
ed him to Jacksonville. and before
his departure he left memorandum
in which he explained his connection
with the article In the Journal. II
this was not satisfactory, and a meet
ing could not be avoided. the arrange
ments of the fight were to be:
"First-Weapons. cavalry, broad
swords of the largest size. o.
s "Second-Position, plank ten
feet long and from nine TO twelve
inches broad, as line between the
contestants. neither to pass his foot
over on forfeit OF his life. Next a
line drawn on the ground on either
side and parallel with 1t, each at the
distance Of the whole length of the
sword and three feet additional from
the plank. each to fight in this limit
on his own side of the board.
"Third-Time. on Thursday even
ing at O'Clock. If possible, but in no
case to be at a greater distance than
Friday afternoon at o'clock.
"Fourth-Place, within three miles
of Alton"
With our later knowledge of
Abraham Lincoln's propensities, one
is tempted to perceive a joke cropp-
ing out in the position thus gravely
described for the combatants, for it
looks as though both were thus plac-
ed safely out of harms way, where
they could beat the air with their
trenchant blades forever and do no
damage. But it might be we'll to re-
member in this connection the unusu-
al length of Mr.. Lincoln's arm, and
feel some sympathy for his opponent,
However, Shields was determined
10 fight, and all parties concerned
left for the supposed field of carnage.
But peace was already lowering In
the air above them. Outside friends.
uniting with the distressed seconds,
succeeded in harmonizing all difficult
ties, and the ridiculous affair was
ended without the exchanging of a
blow.
II was evident that Lincoln did
not desire the death of his adversary,
but did not intend to be materially
injured himself, Lincoln felt keenly
the stupidity of the whole affair, but
InOuBnl he NOulu hot dNOAN NhN hSNN
without degradation; while to Shields
such fracas was delight.
The duel came to its end naturally.
Shields allowed himself to be per
suaded to withdraw his offensive
challenge. Lincoln then made the
explanation he had been ready to
make from the beginning; avowing
the one letter he had written. and
saying that it had been printed solely
for POLITICAL effect, and without any
intention OF injuring Shields.
Lincoln's quarrel with Shields was
his last personal encounter. In later
years it became his duty to give an
official reprimand to young officer,
who had been court-martialed for
quarrel with one of his associates.
The reprimand was probably the
gentlest on record:
III 10