Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1916-04-12
RIFLE HAS RECORD
Famous Relic Now in the Nation
al Museum.
Derringer Rifle Used by Davy Crockett
and in the Gravcs-Ci'ley Duel
Is Still in Excellent
Condition.

thousands or rencS 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.
9,5O9 This rifle was used by Col
David Crockett Of Alamo fame, and
was 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
hundred years ago, and the curator
of the division of technology says 1t is
an exceedingly well.made and finely
finished gun, being still In excellent
condition.
Col. Wright Rives, U. 8. A., who has
deposited the rife in the museum,
states that it was made for his IA
ther, John Cook Rives. by Henry
Beringer. 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 practice 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 rifle figured 30
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 we'll; an abstract Of it
taken from "Notes on Duels and Duel
ing" by Lorenzo Sabine, follows:
On February u, 1888, Henry A..
Wise of Virginia presented to the
house copy of the New York Courier
and Enquirer, charging member Of
congress with corruption, and asked
for an investigation 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. Jona-
than Cilley, member from Maine, op-
posed the resolution, and iHRate
said that If it was the same editor
who once made charges against a
certain institution, 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 Untitled
to much credit in an American con-
gress. Mr.. Cilley was in order; ne
was quoting a published house COM
mittee report on the subject, but a
few days later the editor 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 Mr.. Cilley and
William J. Graves Of Kentucky, who
undertook its delivery on the floor Of
the house for his friend, Colonel Webb.
Mr. Cilley refused to receive the note,
because be 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 be 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 ex-
changed, 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 gentleman and man Of
honor.
Naturally Mr.. Cilley denied Mr..
Graves the right to demand an abso-
lutte yes" or mo" answer, and &C.
cepted the challenge.
The duel was scheduled for 8 p. M,
on February "a, 1888, and the two
parties met near the boundary line Of
the District, on the Marlborough road.
Mr. Cilley fired first, and Mr.. 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. Mr.. Cilley was shot
through the body and expired few
minutes later
The congressional committee found
Mr.. Graves guilty of a breech Of privi-
leges in the house, but held that MIR.
Cilley had remained within his rights.
They recommended the expulsion Of
Mr.. Graves from the house, and that
| tha seconds and friends be censure1.