The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1916-05-20
STORY OF A rifle
The Derringer Used In the Graves
and CiIIey Duel.
AND ALSO BY DAVY CROCKETT
II Was Made About Century ago and
Io Still In Good condition-The Meet.
ing That Resulted In the Death Of the
Maine Congressman.

Maine Congressman.
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 rifle. catalogue No.
800. This ride was used by Colonel
David Crockett of Alamo fame and
was also the weapon fired by Hon
William j. Graves In the duel with
Hon Jonathan Ciley. resulting in the
death Of the latter. 1t was made about
Il hundred years ago and is still in ex
rcllcn, condition.
Colonel Wright Ryes. u. s, A.. who
deposited the rifle in the ,nuseum.
states that 1t was made for his father.
John Cook Rivcs, by Henry Derringcr
John c. Rives was one OF The publish.
crs of the Congressional Globe now
the Congressional Record. and knew
many congressman, several of whom
he was accustomed to take out to n
field for rifle practice. Among them
was David Crockett, pioneer hunter
soldier and congressman from lS27-3t
and 1880, who later lost his life at
the Alamo In the Texas struggle for
freedom. Crockett seemed to partlcu.
larry like this rife and often joined the
shooting parties to use il.
The circumstances which led to the
fatal duel between Messrs. Graves and
Cilley Of the house of representatives,
III which this rifle figured so conspicu-
ouSly, were quite unusual and more
81 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. u. 1888, Henry A. Wise of
Virginia presented TO the house n copy
Of the New York Courier and Enquir.
err, 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 certain insti.
tution 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 10 much
credit in an American congress. Mr.
Cilley was quoting a published house
committee report on the subject. but a
few days later the editor of the paper,
| Colonel James Watson Webb. address.
| ed a note TO him asking If he were the
editor referred to and, IL so, demand.
ing an explanation.
This note was directly responsible
for the duel between Cilley and VIII
Lam j. Graves of Kentucky. who un.
dertook its delivery on the floor of the
| house for his friend Colonel Webb. Mr..
| Cilley refused TO receive the note. he
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 rs man of honor.
Naturally Mr.. Cllley denied Mr.
Graves the right to demand an abso
Lutte yes" or mo- answer and &C,
copied 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 tC
Marlborough, In Maryland. Mr.. Wise
experienced some difficulty in securing
rifle for Mr. Graves use. but finally
succeeded In borrowing Mr.. Rives' der
ringer rifle.
The duel was scheduled for p, m
on Feb. ~, 1898. and the two parties
met near the boundary line of the Dis
trict on the Marlborough road Mr.
Cilley was accompanied by his second
Mr., jones' his friends. Mr.. Bynum o.
North Carolina and Colonel James VI
Schaumburg, and by DIR. Duncan o
Ohio rs his surgeon. Mr.. Graves wa!
attended by Mr.. Wise, his second; b!
his friends. Senator Crittenden an(
Mr., Menefee of Kentucky. and Or
Foltz Of the city of Washington. TIL,
ground was marked or and the con
testants took their places. with rifle
cooked and triggers set. Mr. Joue
gave the word. Mr. Cllley fred frs
and Mr. Graves second or two aftc
him, hut both missed. Despite the ct
forts of their friends to adjust the mat
ter after each had been exposed to tn
fire of the other, no satisfactory M
rangement could he made, and they OK
changed shots again, also without Of
feet still being unable to agree afte
much further argument. their rifles be
Ing loaded, they went TO their position
the third time. This time Cilley wa
shot through the body and killed.
II The congressional committee foun
Mr. Graves guilty of breach of priv