The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1916-06-15
A Famous Rifle.

the United States National Museum
at Washington, there are few objects
more replete with historical interest
than a certain Deringer rifle, cata-
logue number $500. This rifle was
used by Col. David Crockett, of Ala
mo fame, and was also the weapon
fred by the Hon. VIM. j. Graves in
the duel with the Hon. Jonathan Gil
ley, resulting in the death of the lat
ter. 1t was made about hundred
years ago, and the curator of the di-
vision of technology says it is an
exceedingly well-made and finely
finished gun, being still in excellent
condition. 1t is a A calibre, muzzle
loading sporting rifle; the octagon
rifed barrel is As inches long, and
fitted with full stock of curley
maple, plain open sights, a percus-
sion lock, and '*set' trigger.
Col. Wright Rives, U. S. A., who
has deposited the rifle in the muse
um, states that it was made for his
father, John Cook Rives, by Henry
Deringer, celebrated for manufactur-
ing superior fire arms, particularly
the well-known pocket pistol, known
as the Deringer. John G. Rives was
one of the publishers of the Con-
gressional Globe, now the Congress
sional Record, and knew many con-
gressmen, several of whom he was
accustomed to take out for rifle prac-
tice to a field, sometimes used for
horse racing, near where the corner
of 14th street and Park road now
intersect. Among them was David
Crockett, pioneer, hunter, soldier,
and congressman from 1827-31, and
1895, who later lost his life at
the Alamo, in the Texas struggle for
freedom. Crockett seemed to par
ticularly like this rifle, and often
joined the shooting parties to keep
himself in practice.
The circumstances which led to the
fatal duel between Messrs. Graves
and Cilley, of the house of represen-
tatives, in which this rifle figured so
conspicuously, were quite unusual
and more or less complicated. The
report of the investigating 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, fol-
lows:
On February 12, 1888, Henry A.
Wise. Of Virginia, presented to the
house copy of the New York Cour-
ier and Enquirer, charging mem
ber of congress with corruption, and
asked for an investigation 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
it's honor. Jonathan Cilley, member
from Maine, opposed the resolution,
and in debate said that if it was the
same editor who once made charges
against a certain institution, and Ia
ter received facilities amounting to
$4,000 from the same institution,
which he then gave his hearty sup
port, he did not think the recent
charges were entitled to much credit
in an American congress. Mr.. Cilley
was in order. He was quoting pub
lished house committee report on the
subject, but few days later the edi-
tor of the paper, Col. James Watson
Webb, addressed a note to him ask
ing if he were the editor referred to,
and if so, demanding an explanation.
This note was directly responsible
for the duel between Mr.. Cilley and
William J. Graves, of Kentucky, who
undertook it's delivery on the floor of
the house for his friend, Col. Webb.
Mr.. Cilley refused to receive the note,
because he chose to be drawn into no
controversy with Col. Webb, stating
by so doing he meant no disrespect
to the bearer, but he refused to af-
firm or deny anything in regard to
Col. Webb's character. Mr.. Graves
was not satisfied, however, and sew
eral notes between them were ex-
changed, with the result that Mr..
Graves finally challenged Mr.. Cilley,
because he would not say whether he
refused the note on the grounds of
any personal exception to Col. Webb
as gentleman and man of honor.
Naturally, Mr.. Cilley denied Mr..
Graves the right to demand an abso-
lutte "yes'' or mo" answer and &C
cepted the challenge. 1t was COM
bat under the Duello, or Code, upon
a mere point of honor, there being
an n