The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1916-06-16
STORY OF A RIFLE
The Derringer Used In the Graves
and CiIey Duel.
AND ALSO BY DAVY CROCKETT

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 rife. 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-
eellent 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
ers of the Congressional Globe, now
the Congressional Record, and knew
many congressman. several of whom
he was accustomed to take out to
field for rife practice. Among them :
was David Crockett, pioneer hunter,
soldier and congressman from 1921
and 1880, 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 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
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, follows:
On Feb IL, 1888, Henry A. Wise of
Virginia presented to the house 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
few 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 ]. Graves of Kentucky. who I'M
dertook it's 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 Mr.. Cilley because he would
not say whether he refused the note on
the grounds of any personal exception
, to Colonel Webb as a man of honor.
Naturally Mr.. Cilley denied Mr.
Graves the right to demand an abso-
Lutte yes" or mo" answer and ac-
cepted 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 distance of
about ninety yards near the road to
Marlborough, in Maryland. Mr.. 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 D. M
on Feb. "a, 1888, and the two parties
met near the boundary line of the Dis
| 'AANI' Oh the MdIlpOIOuBu TOdu. MT.
Cilley was accompanied by his second,
Mr.. Jones; his friends, Mr.. Bynum of
North Carolina and Colonel James w.
Schaumburg. and by Or. Duncan of
Ohio as his surgeon. Mr.. Graves was
attended by Mr.. Wise, his second; by
his friends, Senator Crittenden and
Mr.. Menefee of Kentucky, and DR..
Foltz Of the city Of Washington. The
ground was marked off and the con-
testants took their places, with rifles
cooked and triggers set. Mr.. Jones
gave the word. Mr.. Cllley fired first
and Mr.. Graves a second or two after
him, but both missed. Despite the eff
forts of their friends to adjust the mat.
ter after each had been exposed to the
fire of the other, no satisfactory ar
rangement could be made, and they ex,
changed shots again, also without eff.
feet. Still being unable to agree after
much further argument. their rifles be
ing loaded, they went to their positions
the third time. This time Cilley was
shot through the body and killed.
The congressional committee found
Mr.. Graves guilty of breach of priv