The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1916-05-18
STORY OF A RIFLE.
The Derringer Used In the Graves
and CiIley Duel.
AND ALSO BY DAVY CROCKETT
It Was Made About Century Ago and
is Still In Good condition--The Meet.
ing That Resulted In the Death of the
Maine Congressman.


United States National museum al
Washington there are few objects more
replete with historical interest than q
certain derringer rifle. catalogue No
$500. This rifle was used by Colonel
David Crockett of Alamo fame and
was also the weapon fred by Hon.
William j. Graves In the duel with
Hon. Jonathan Cilley, resulting Ia the
death of the latter II was made about
a 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 1t was made for his father
John Cook Rives, by Henry Derringer.
John G. 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 q
field for rifle 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, II, 1898, 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.
vestigatioB 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 10 defend its honor Jonathan
Cilley, member from Maine, opposed
the resolution and In debate said that
If II was the same editor who once
made charges against 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
report on the subject. but
few days later the editor of the paper,
Colonel James Watson Webb, address
ed a note TO him asking IL he were the
editor referred TO ana, If so, demand
Ing an explanation.
This note was directly responsible
for the duel between Cilley and Will
liam J. Graves of Kentucky, who UNI
lertook its delivery on the floor of the
house for his friend Colonel Webb Mr.
-illey refused to receive the note, be-
'ause he chose TO be drawn into no
with Colonel Webb. stat
ng that by SO doing he meant no dis :
aspect TO the bearer. But he refused
o affirm or deny anything in regard to
jolonel Webbs character. Mr.. Graves
vas not satisfied, however and several
totes between them were exchanged,
With the result that Mr.. Graves finally
hallenged Mr.. Cilley because he would
lot say whether he refused the note on
he grounds of any personal exception
o Colonel Webb as a man of honor. o
Naturally A1r. Cilley denied Mr. &
raves the right TO demand an abso- u
ute yes" or mo" answer and nc. $,
epted the challenge. a
Their seconds, Hon. George W s.
ones. delegate from Wisconsin terri. II
'ry. for Mr. Cilley and Hon. Henry p
!. Wise OF Virginia. for Mr.. Graves. g
ranged the details OF the duel. which u
AS fought with rifles at distance of W
bout ninety yards near the road TO :, =
Marlborough. In Maryland Mr. Wise -
Nperienced some difficulty I'm securing
rifle FOR MIR Graves use. hut finally
icceeded I'm borrowing Mr. Rives' der
niger rifle
The duel was scheduled for p. m OF
! Feb. -. 1893, aud the two parties u'
ct near the boundary line uf the Dis tu
let. on the Marlborough road Mr. WI
Hey was accompanied by his second 10
r. Jones; his friends Mr. Bynum of en-
orth Carolina and Colonel James w W
'haumburg. and by Dr. Duncan OF ~
hio as his surgeon Mr. Graves was ~
tended by Mr. Wise. his second: by ii''
$ friends. Senator Crittenden and
r. Menefee OF Kentucky aud DR.
'ltz of the city of Washington The |
ound was marked Off and the con a
stants took their places. with rifles po
cked and triggers set. Mr.. Jones en-
I'VE the word. Mr. Cilley fred first the
Id Mr. Graves a second or two after 1t
m. but both missed. Despite the eff WI
rts of their friends to adjust the mat. the
r after each had been exposed to the
e of the other, no satisfactory ar
ngement could be made. and they ex-
Hanged shots again, also without eff ou'
ct Still being unable to agree after
UGH further argument. their rifles be- Tax
G loaded, they went to their positions pa
e third time. This time Cilley was II
ot through the body and killed. FIR
The congressional committee found
r. Graves guilty of breach of priv.
yes in the house. but held that Mr. 1.
Ill.,, 1a1