The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1916-03-09
RIFLE HAS RECORD
Famous Relic Now in the Nation
al Museum.
Derringer Rifle Used by Davy Crockett
and In the Graves-CilIey 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-
pete with historical interest than a
certain Derringer rife, catalogue Nc
$500 This rife was used by Col
| David Crockett OF Alamo fame, and
W also the weapon fired by Hon.
! William j. Graves in the duel with
! Hon Jonathan Cilley, resulting the
death Of the latter. II was made about
| hundred years ago, and the curator
Of the division of technology says it is
an exceedingly wellmade and finely
! finished gun. being still in excellent
condition.
Col. Wright Rivcs, Z. s A., who has
deposited the rife in the museum,
states that it was made for his ia.
Their, John Cook Rives, by Henry
| Derringer. John c. Riyes 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 -ractce 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-
ncer, hunter, soldier and congress
man from 1921, and 1S@3-35, who
later lost his life at the Alamo in the
Texas struggle for freedom.
Crockett seemed particularly to like
this rife 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 Cillcy of the house of representa-
tivos. in which this rife figured so
conspicuously, were quite unusual and
more or less complicated. The report
of the investigating committee APP
pointed by the house, covers the story
of this duel we'll an abstract Of 1t
taken from Notes on Duels and Duel
ing," by Lorenzo Sabine, follows:
On February 70, 1898, Henry A.
Wise Of Virginia presented to the
house a copy of the New York Courier
and Enquirer. charging a member OF
congress with corruption, and asked
for an investigation OF the charge. Mr..
Wise stated that the author Of the
article waq yOuChed for by the editor
Of the paper. and that the house was
l.. i "a 10 H. Tn,tn
than Cilley, member from Maine, OPP
posed the resolution, and in debate
said that II 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
gross. Mr.. Cilley was in order; he
was quoting published house com
mttee 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 II 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.. CiIley refused to receive the note,
because 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 Webbs 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. CiIley denied Mr.
Graves the right to demand an abso-
lutte yes" or no answer, and ac-
ceptcd the challenge.
The duel was scheduled for 3 p. m,
on February a. lS3S, and the two
parties met near the boundary line of
the District. on the Marlborough road
Mr.. Cilley fired FIRST, and Mr., Graves a
second or two after him, but both
missed Efforts 10 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'
mcnt. they went to their positions the
| third time. This time they fired very
nearly together Mr. Cillcy was shot
! through the body and expired few
minutes later.
The congressional committee found
/ Mr.. Graves guilty of a breech of privi'
/ lcges in the house, but he'll that Mr..
! en-. had remained within his rights.
they recommended the expulsion OF
Mr.. Graves from the house, and that
the seconds and friends be censured
]
Wolves Approach City.
Nevada City, Cal.-The spectacle o'