Evening star., 1941-01-05

RemOUed about 1926.
vouching for another anonymous |
person, himself vouched for by an
editor of newspaper.
He knew nothing of this editor,
he said, but if it was the same
editor who had once made grave
charges against an institution in
this country, and afterWard was
said to have received facilities to
the amount of some $50 900 from the
same institution, and gave 1t his
hearty support, he did not think the
charges we're entitled TO much
credit in an American Congress.
Let it be distinctly made against
an individual, under the solemnity
of an oath, and then there would
be a proper time for considering
and acting upon it. Every
President of the United States has
successfully been personally attacked
in the papers of the day-Washing-
ton. jefferson, Madison and the two
Adamses, but the country, the peo-
Pile, had made up its verdict as TO
those charges for ITSELF he con-
cluded.
Challenged to Duel.
The editor of the Courier and
Enquirer turned out to be James
Watson Webb. who, arriving IN
WASHINGTON nine DAYS after Gil
ley's speech IN the House, imme-
diately addressed note from Gads-
by's Hotel to the latter, the last
paragraph of which said: Il deem
it my duty to apprise you, sir, that
I am the editor of the paper in
which the letter from the Spy in
Washington charging member
of Congress with corruption, was
first published, and the object of
this communication is to inquire Of
you whether I am the editor to
whom you alluded, and, If so, to
ask the explanation which the
character of your remarks renders
necessary"
And it was here that William
J. Graves entered the controversy
for it was he who delivered the
note to Cilley, who declined to re-
ceive it, grving as his reason that
he "chose to be drawn into no con-
troversy with him. meaning
Webb.
The reasons for declining to re-
ceive Webb's note did not suit
Graves. who considered it per-
sonal affront, and substantially be-
cause Cilley would not retract his
statement or apologize to Webb,
Graves took up the cause of the
editor and challenged Cilley to
duel. the note which follows being
delivered to the latter at his board
ing house by Representative Wise:
"As you have declined accepting
a communication which I bore to
you from Col. Webb, and as, by
your note of yesterday, you have
refused to decline on grounds which
would exonerate me from all re-
Sponsibility growing out of the
affair, am left to no other alter
native but to ask that satisfaction
which is recognized among gentle
men. My friend Hon. Henry A.
Wise, is authorized by me to make
the arrangements suitable to the
occasion"
Represented by Jones.
Cilley did not delay his reply to
Graves challenge, but through
George w. Jones. the delegate from
Wisconsin, forwarded his reply that
same day. 1t was short and to the
point. and said: Your note of this
morning has been received. MY
friend, Gen. Jones. will make the
arrangements suitable to the oc-
casion."
Accordingly, Mr.. Jones submitted
the following propositions to Mr..
Wise, under date of February %,
1888:
"Slr-Mr. Cilley proposes to meet
Mr.. Graves at such place as may
be agreed upon between us to-
morrow at u o'clock noon. The
weapons to be used on the occasion
shall be rifles; the parties placed
side by side at 80 yards distance
from each other: to hold the rifles
horizontally at arms length. down.
wards; the rifles to be cooked and
triggers set; the words to be, Cen
tlemen, are you ready?' After
which, neither answering No the
words shall be, in regular success
sion, .Flre-one, two. three, four
Neither party shall fire before the
word fire nor after the word
four"
Graves had some difficulty in find
ing an acceptable rifle, but finally
secured a .44-caliber piece. one made
by Henry Deringer in 1880 for John
G. RlveS. owner and editor of the
Globe. David Crockett had used it
for target practice, and its accuracy
was vouched for.
Cilley's rifle was not so large a
piece, its length being only So inches.
or inches shorter than the Rives
piece, while the caliber was only 80.
1t was of Tyron make.
AT Anacostia Bridge.
1t was agreed that the parties
should meet at Anacostia Bridge.
"on the road to Marlboro" between
the hours OF l:30 and 2::30 pm.
Cilley and his party arrived first, and
all proceeded to the dueling ground.
The position assigned Graves was
near a wood which partly sheltered
it; Cilley's was on higher ground.
Cilley was attended by Mr.. Jones,
Mr.. Bynum and Col. James w.
Schaumberg, and by DR.. Duncan,
as his surgeon. Graves was attended
by Mr.. Wise, Mr.. Crittenden, Mr..
Menefee and DR.. Foltz Mr.. CAL
houn and Mr.. Hawes, both members
of the House from Kentucky, were
at some distance off as spectators.
The hackdrivers, together with