The log cabin Democrat., 1916-03-17
RIFLE HAS RECORD
Famous Relic Now in the Nation-
 al Museum.
Derringer Rifle Used by Davy Crockett and in the Graves-CiIley Duel Is Still in Excellent
 Condition.

Washington, D. C.-Among the thousands of relics in the United States National museum at Washing ton, there are few objects more re- plete with historical interest than a certain Derringer rifle, catalogue No. | 9,509. This rife was used by Col David Crockett of Alamo fame, and W s also the weapon fired by Hon. William J. Graves in the duel with Hon. Jonathan Cilley, resulting the death of the latter It was made about a hundred years ago, and the curator of the division of technology says it is an exceedingly well-made and finely finished gun, being still in excellent condition.
 Col. Wright Rives, U S. A., who has deposited the rife in the museum, states that it was made for his fa- ther. John Cook Rives, by Henry Derringer. John c. Rives was one of the publishers of the Congressional Globe, now the Congressional Record and knew many congressman several of whom he was accustomed to take out for rife NracAce to a field, some times used for horse racing, near where the corner of Fourteenth street and Park road now intersect Among them was David Crockett, pio- neer, hunter, soldier and congress- man from 1S27-31. and 1S33-35, who later lost his life at the Alamo in the Texas struggle for freedom
 Crockett seemed particularly to like this rifle and often joined the shoot ing parties to keep himself in prac- tice
 The circumstances which led to the fatal duel between Messrs Graves and Cilley of the house of representa- tives, in which this rife figured so conspicuously, were quite unusual and more or less complicated The report Of the Investigating committee ap- pointed by the house, covers the story of this duel well; an abstract of 1t taken from Notes on Duels and Duel ing" by Lorenzo Sabine, follows: On February 12, 1S3S Henry A. Wise of Virginia presented to the house copy of the New York Courier
 
 congress with corruption. and asked for an investigation of the charge. Mir. 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. Iona- than Cilley, member from Maine, op- posed the resolution, and in debate said that if it was the same editor who once made charges against certain institution, and later received facilities amounting to $52 900 from the same institution, which he then gave his hearty support, he did not think the recent charges were untitled to much credit in an American con gross. MT. Cilley was in order; he was quoting published house con- mittee report on the subject, but a few days later the editcr of the pa- per Col. James Watson Webb, ad- dressed a note to him asking if he were the editor referred to, and. if so, demanding an explanation.
 This note was directly responsible for the duel between MT Cilley and William J. Graves of Kentucky, who undertook it's delivery on the floor of the house for his friend, Colonel Webb. MT. Cilley refused to receive the note, because he chose to be drawn into no e. ntroversy 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. MT. Graves was not satisfied however, and several notes between them were ex- changed. with the result that MT. Graves finally challenged MT Cilley because he would not say whether he refused the note on the grounds of any personal exception to Colonel Webb as gentleman and man of honor
 Naturally MT. Cilley denied MT. Graves the right to demand an abso- lute "yes" or no answer, and ac- cepted the challenge.
 The duel was scheduled for D. m., on February 24. 1888, and the two parties met near the boundary line of the District, on the Marlborough road MT. Cilley fired first, and MT. Graves second or two after him, but both missed Efforts to adjust the matter were futile and the parties reassumed their positions and exchanged shots again, also without effect. Still being | unable to agree after further argu- ment, they went to their positions the third time. This time they fired very nearly together. MT Cilley was shot through the body and expired few minutes later.
 The congressional committee found MT. Graves guilty of breech of privi- | leges in the house, but hel' that MT. Gill, had remained within his rights. They recommended the expulsion of | MT. Graves from the house, and that the seconds and friends be censured.