The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1916-01-28
|FA NOUS RIFLE IN
NATIONAL MUSEUM
WAS FORMERLY OWNED by
DAVID CROCKETT, WHO
DIED AT ALAMO.
II CILLEY-GBAvES DUEL
Gun That Killed Congressman Made
q Hundred Years Ago BY
Henry Derringer.

|
Estates National Museum at Wash
ington there are few objects more
replete with historical interest than
certain Derringer rife, catalogue
No. $500. This rife was used by
Col. David Crockett, of Alamo fame,
and was also the weapon fired by
the Hon. William j. Graves in the
duel with the Hon. Jonathan Cilley,
resulting in the death of the latter.
1t was made about a hundred years
ago, and the curator of the division
of technology says 1t is an exceed
ingly well-made and finely finished
gun, being still in excellent condi-
ton. 1t is a 44-caliber muzzle-load-
ing sporting rifle; the octagon rified
barrel Is forty-five inches long and
fitted with a full stock of curley
maple, plain open sights, percus-
sion lock and "set" trigger.
Col. Wright Rives, U. S. A., who
has deposited the rife in the mus
cum, states that 1t was made for his
father, John Cook Rives, by Henry
Derringer, celebrated for manufac-
turing superior firearms, particular
ly the well-known pocket pistol,
known as the Derringer. John c.
Rives was one of the publishers of
the Congressional Globe, now the
Congressional Record, and knew
many Congressman, several of whorl
he was accustomed to take out for
rife practice to a field, sometimes
used for horse racing, near where
the corner of Fourteenth street and
Park road now intersect.
Among them was David Crockett.
pioneer, hunter, soldier and Con-
gresham from 1S27-31, and 1888
30. who later lost his life at the Ala
mo in the Texas struggle for free
dom. Crockett seemed particularly to
like this rife 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 Repre-
sentatives. in which this rife figured
so conspicuously, were quito unusual
and more or less complicated. The re-
port 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 February II, 1898 Henry A.
Wise, of Virginia. presented to the
House copy of the New York Cour-
Ter and Enquirer charging member
of Congress with corruption, and
asked for an investigation of the
charge. Mr.. Wise stated that the au-
thor 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 II 1t was the
same editor who once made charges
against a certain institution, and lat
er 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 cred
1t in an American Congress. Mr.. Gil
ley was in order; he was quoting
published House Committee report
on the subject, but few days later
the editor of the paper. Col. James
Watson Webb. addressed e note to
him asking II he were the editor re-
ferred to, and, IL SO, demanding an
explanation.
This note was diecrtly responsible
for the duel between Mr.. Cilloy and
William ]. Graves, of Kentucky, who
undertook its delivery on the floor
OF the House for his friend. Col.
Webb. Mr.. Cilley refused to receive
shS HoeOt oOoouof NO ShSoo W W
drawn into no controversy with Col.
Webb. stating that by SO doing he
meant no disrespect to the bearer;
but he refused to affirm or deny any
thing in regard to Col. Webb's char
acter. Mr.. Graves was not satisfied,
however. and several notes between
them were exchanged. with the re-
suit that Mr.. Graves finally challeng-
ed Mr.. Cilley, because he would not
say whether he refused the note on
the grounds Of any personal excep-
tion to Col. Webb as a gentleman
and a man of honor.
Naturally Mr.. Cilley denied Mr..
\ Graves the right to demand an alb
solute Eyes or mo" answer. and
accepted the challenge. It was CON-
bat under the duello or code, upon
a mere point of honor. there being