Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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BY E. B. MURRAY & CO. " ANDERSON, S. C, THURSDAY MORNING, JULY 15, 1680._VOLUME XVI.?NO. 1. A DUEL TO THE DEATH. Col. Win. M. Shannon Killed by Col. E. B. C. Cash?The Fatal Rencontre Takes Place at DnBoie*? Bridge, In Darlington Count} - -Shannon the Challenging Tarty and th* First to Fire, but Is Shot Through the Het r t?The Origin of the Difficulty. Charlcsiori News and Courier. Camden, S. C, July 6. News ?vas leceived here this morning of a fatal duel, which took place at 2 o'clock yesterday at DuBose's Bridge, in Darlington County, between Col. E. B. C. Cash of Chesterfield, and Cot. W. M. Shannon of this place, in which the lat? ter was instantly killed. Col. Shannon was the challenging party. Col. Cash being deaf in one ear, requested that the signal to fire be given by the discharge of a pistol, which was agreed to. Col. Shan? non fired first, his ball striking the ground near Col. Cash's feet. Col. Cash then fired, the ball passing through Col. Shan? non's heart. Death was instantaneous. Our whole community feels the shock. It was uncalled for. The funeral will take place from the Episcopal Church, of which he was a member, at 4 o'cloch this afternoon. The origin of the duel was as follows: Col. Shannon was assistant counsel with Capt. W. L. DePass in a case en titled C. Mi Wiet-ggs vs. R. G. Ellebe for dam? ages for injuries inflicted on the said Wienges, for which they obtained a judg? ment. JR., G.Ellerbe claimed that he was largely indebted to hie sister, the wife ? of Col. Cash, ^nd on that ground resisted the payment of the judgment in favor of Wienges, contending that what he owed , his. sister exhausted his property. The attorneys for. Wienges' prayea for an in? junction to set aside the judgment in fa? vor of Mrs. Cash, and it was from the pleadings in the case that all the difficul? ties have grown. Col. Cash first challenged W. L. De - Pass, who was, with his second, arrested - and put under heavy bonds. I learn that harsh and severe communications have been issued by Col. Cash to Col. Shan* ndn, insisting* that efforts had been made in the pleadings to reflect on the charac? ter of his sow deceased wife for honesty. Both of the attorneys deny ever having thought of such a charge. Col. Shan? non has always, since the case has been in court, utterly denied having made any offensive remark or having the least in? tention of .reflecting on Mrs. Cash. col. WILLIAM M. SHANNON. William M; Shannon was boru in Ker-! shaw County in IS22, and was conse? quently 58 years of age. His father was Unas. J. Shannon, a prominent citizen of the county, and for many years presi J^*t of the Camden Branch of the Bank ""?fifthe Slate. Col. Shannon was educa? ted at the South Carolina College, which he entered in 1838, graduating in the class of 1841. Soon after leaving college he commenced the study of the law and was admitted to the bar with the class of 1843, in which were Thos. M. Hankel, Judge W. Alston Pringle the late H. C. Burckmyer, the late John E. Carew, and others, from Charleston. He married the daughter of Governor Adam Me Wil? lie, who was at one time a prominent citi? zen of Camden, bat who subsequently removed to Mississippi, of which State he was later in life elected Governor. In the pursuit of his profession Col. Shannon Boon rose to prominence. In 1857 he was elected to represent Kershaw --County in the lower bouse of the Legisla? ture, and ser ved in that capacity until!862, when he resigned and eutered the Con? federate sei vice. During his term of of? fice, and especially during the Speaker ship of the Hon. Robert Alston, be and Gen. McGowan, who was his classmate in college), were two of the leading mem? bers of the House. "; A^.tho outbreak of the war he raised a cavalry company and entered the Confed? erate service in Virginia. Subsequently he raised another cavalry company and served in North Carolina. Upon the death of his father, in 1864, he succeeded him as president of the. bank at Camden. ? Col. Shannon was the father of four? teen children, and was intimately connec? ted with most of the leading families of Kersbaw County. He was in early life a Presbyterian, but subsequently joined the Protestant Episcopal Church, of which be became an active and practical member;1 He was a man of great 'indus? try and energy, and has for many years occupied a position of prominence at the Bur of Camden. All who knew Mm will remember the great amiability which was 0.1e of the predominant traits of his char? acter. He enjoyed the entire confidence of the people of Camden and Kersbaw County, and was for many years one of the most popular men of that section of the State. He was well-read, not only in the law but in general and current litera? ture Col.Shannon was not only popular tn account of his cheerful and genial disposition, but was loved for his gentle manners, hi.-. Christian kindness, and the strict integrity which characterized his whole public and private life. CC~^ e. b. c. cash. Col. Shannon's antagonist in the fatal duel, Col. E. B. C. Cash, is a planter in Chesterfield County, near Cash's Depot, a station on the Cheraw and Darlington Railroad, not far from Cheraw. He was in command of a regiment in Bonham's Brigade, in Virginia, in the first year of the war, and was a fearless if not an ac? complished officer. the origix of the fatal quabkel. The quarrel which has resulted in the death of Col. Shannon grew out of an ac? tion for damages brought by Mr. C. M. Wienges against Capt. R. G. Ellerbe who, on account of some personal differ? ence, had assaulted and beaten him. The jury gave a verdict for $2,000 in favor of Wienges, who was unable to recover the amount, the property of Capt. Ellerbe being encumbered by a judgment upon a mortgage given to Mrs. E. B. Cash, who was Ellerbe's sister. Wienges insti? tuted proceedings to set aside the judg? ment on the ground of fraud, his attor? neys. Col. Win. M. Shannon and Capt. W. L. DePass, of Camden, charging that the "pretended confession of judgment" had been made by Ellerbe to "his own sistfer," Mrs. Cash, and that thus "by a family arrangement" Ellerbe "intends to defeat the recovery by the plaintiff." the first demand. Pending the legal proceedings no ac? tion appears to have been taken by Capt. Ellerbe or Col. Cash, but on May 22 the latter sent Capt. DePass the following challenge : Kershaw Co., S. C, Mav 22. Capt. W. L. DePass, Camden, S. C.: Sir?In a case entitled "C. M. Wien? ges vs. A. E. Cash and others," in which you are an attorney for the plaintiff, you charge Mrs. Cash with fraud, and although the copy of your summons and complaint served upon Mrs. Cash's attor? neys differs from the original, upon which you obtained an injunction, yet your whole course iu the management of the case clearly shows that you did mean to impute fraud to Mrs. Cash, and I sus? pect that your object in withdrawing the mast offensive expressions in the original was to shirk a -csponsibility you had not the courage to meet. I regret very much my inability to act in Ibis matter at an earlier day, but to have done bo would have subjected my conduct to misconstruction, aod, perhaps, prejudiced Mrs. Cash's claims before the Courts. As you have abandoned your charge of fraud, I now feel free to act in this matter, and while I neither claim for myself or acknowledge for you that there is any social equality between us, yet for the time being, and to accomplish the object I have in view, I waive all objec? tions, and demand of you redress for the false imputations you have made against the character of Mrs. Cash. My friend, Mr. W. B. Sanders, will make for me the usual preliminaries for a meeting. E. B. C. Cash. The response of Capt. DePass was as follows: Camden, S. C, May 24,1880. Col. E. B. C. Cash: Sir?Your note of the 22d instant was handed to me by Mr. W. B. Sanders, and I take the earliest practicable^opportu? nity of replying. It is couched iu lan? guage unwarranted by the Code of Hon? our among gentlemen, in that it conveys an insult, and I could most properly return it to you, but I waive this and will readily accord you the satisfaction you demand. My friend, Dr. T. B. Legare, will arrange wth your friend, Mr. W. B. Sanders, for:* meeting. 1? W. L. DePass. Both Capt. DePass aud Mr. Legare were arrested, and an attempt was made to arrest Mr. Sanders. Col. L. W. B. Blair was substituted by Capt. DePass for Mr. Legare, and arrangements were made for a meeting in North Carolina, but Capt. DePass was again arrested and the fight did not take place. cash publishes depass. Col. Cash publishes the correspondence in a circular with the following letter : Cash's Depot, S. C, June 5. In pursuance of the above, my friends, Mr. W. B. Sanders and Col. Richard C. Watts, have done all in their power to bring about a meeting between Capt. DePass and myself, but in every instance have failed to accomplish their purpose. Different times and places have been agreed upon for a meeting, but before reaching the grounds selected, or after getting on the grounds and waiting hour upon hour, we nave been notified by the* friends of Capt. DePass that "Capt. De Pass has been arrested, or arrested again, aod cannot light." I was in Kershaw County, the home of Capt. DePass, when the challenge was sent, and his reply received. I came out of Kershaw, passed through Sumter, Darlington, Chesterfield, and into Anson County, N. C, (the place appointed for the meeting.) I traveled in an open car? riage upon the public roads, passing through towns ana villages on the route, and am personally known to the people who reside along the roads travelled, and yet I had no trouble in .eluding the offi? cers of the law. I will add that no friend or acquaintance of mine has been instru? mental in procuring warrants of arrest iu this case. As far' as I am informed they originated from a whining hypocrite of Camden, who affects to raise his hands in holy horror at the settlement of a dif? ficulty by a fair aud equal combat, but Svho does not hesitate to violate the or finances of God, and to have published h the leading newspaper of the State a frase and shameless falsehood as to the nature of this difficulty. It was my purpose to have cowhided Capt. DePass for the course he has pursued towards me, and I only condescended to challenge him at the urgent appeals of personal frieuds. They were in error, aud have caused me to blush for shame (uninten? tionally) at the course I have adopted. I am now sick and disgusted, and have abondoned the chase, and offer my pistol case in exchange for a horsewhip. E. B. C. Cash. the rejoinder of depass. This has led Capt. DePass to publish his version of the affair, with the sub? joined letter from Col. Blair: Dixie's Retreat, Juue 19. Capt. W. L. DePass, Camden, S. C. : My Dear Sir?Before seeing Gen. Cash's placard against you I had written a communication to the Carolina Sun correcting misrepresentations apparently referring to you in an article on the "Camden Anti-Duelling Society," puo lished in that paper. The appearance of the placard renders it my duty, in justice both to yourself and me, to place before the public a more explicit state? ment of what passed between Gen. Cash, or his official friend, Col. Watts, and me with reference to you. On the 27th or 28th ultimo I visited Gen. Cash to deliver to him a note from you accrediting me as your official friend, and also one from myself, in which I say: "Capt. DePass will meet you at any time you may designate, beyond the limits of the State of South Carolina, to discuss and adjust matters of disagree? ment between yourself and him, and at all events to accord to you such satisfac? tion as you may then demand." Not desiring to intrude upon the privacy of bis residence, I stopped at Cash's Depot and Bent in a note announcing my pres? ence and purpose, and requesting Gen. Cash to come out to tbe depot and receive my communication. He was not at home, but his son, Capt. Cash, in c >m pany with Col. Watts, came out, and, fully aware of the nature of my visit, pressed me so cordially to accept his hos? pitality that I became his guest for the afternoon and night. Aud it may not be out of place for me to say here that I was never more strongly or more favora? bly impressed than by the high-bred hospitality, manly tone and gentlemanly bearing of this gentleman and bis father, whose acquaintance I had never before formed. Upon Gen. Cash's arrival, in the even? ing, we discussed the question of where the next meeting should take place, I strongly desired that it should be on the Georgia frontier, but both Gen. Cash and Col. Watts objected that it would be use? less for them to attempt to meet there, as there was but little chance of their get? ting through without being arrested, aud urged that the meeting should be in North Carolina, uear the point where the plank road from Cberaw to Wades boro' crosses the State line?a point not more than eighteen miles distaut from Gen. Cash's residence, while it is some sixty-five or seventy miles from you, and inaccessible except by private convey? ance. However, finding their objections to the Georgia frontier insuperable, and knowing your earnest desire that uothing on your behalf should impede the meet? ing, I yielded this point, and the meet? ing was appointed to be at seven o'clock a. m., on the following Thursday, the hour being subsequently changed before we parted to twelve o'clock, on the same day. After your arrest I arrived on the ground about twelve o'clock, or, perhaps, a few minutes before, and mentioned to Col. Watts that, being unacquainted with the roads, I bad been apprehensive that I might be a few moments too late, but neither he nor Gen. Cash nor any one suggested misapprehension as to the time of meeting, so that there could be no misconception on that subject, nor had they to wait one minute after the time appointed for the meeting until I arrived. On my arrival I found an assemblage of some fifteen or twenty gentlemen on the ground; these, Col. Watts informed me, were not of Gen. Cash's party, but per? sons who had come out to witness the spectacle, as the people all along the way he had come knew the place and hour of the meeting, and Gen. Cash had with difficulty escaped arrest on the way. The same information was given to me subsequently by Gen. Cash. As soon as I arrived on the ground I called Col. Watts af-.ide and acquainted him with the fact of your arrest and cause of your absence. He seemed, as a lawyer, to consider the arrest illegal, and said that you could be bailed and proceed with the purpose of our meeting without pecu? niary risk to your securities, and, in fine, generously proposed that Gen. Cash would be your security for that purpose, and, taking at the moment his own view of the matter, that it could not be at? tended with any pecuniary risk to Gen. Cash, I promptly accepted the romantic and chivalrous proposal; but Col. Watts requested time to consult Gen. Cash, and on his return withdrew the proposition, informing me that Gen. Cash took a dif? ferent view of it. I then assured Col. Watts that you would respond to Gen. Cash's demand at the earliest moment you could be re? lieved of the legal impediments. He asked me when that would be. I an? swered at a year and a day, when your bonds would expire. He replied that you mighl; then renew the matter by I making a demand on Gen. Cash; that Gen. Cash would not pursue his demand on you any further, but publish the cor? respondence. I asked to be informed explicitly what he meant by this, and he told me that his purpose was simply to publish the correspondence which had j occurred, to which I could offer no objec? tion. All these communications were verbal, but my recollection of them is clear and strong, leaving no room for possible error or mistake. Gen. Cash, in his placard, states that no friend of his caused the arrest. Far from me be euch a suspicion I But this is perfectly apparent to every one: That while we "proposed, by every means in our power, to obviate the effect of the arrest, and ultimately (though with necessary and unavoidable delay) to bring about the desired meeting, Gen. Cash, by a placard, unprecedented among gentlemen, and unjustifiable by the facts and circumstances of the case, has ren? dered it absolutely effective, placing it out of your power ever to accord to or demand from him a meeting on the field of honor, and depriving himself of all redress on you other than by the fulfill? ment of bis implied inconsiderate and rather extravagant threat?a threat which I dare assert that neither he nor any man will ever execute. With considerations of high esteem and regard, I am, my dear sir, your frieud and obedient servant, L. W. E. Blair. Iu conclusion Capt. DePass says: And why did Gen. Cash, when I had been thrice arrested, without fault of mine, refuse to wait until I could be re? lieved from liabilities which would have seriously embarrassed my family in the event of my death, when he himself, under a frivolous pretext, (for it is noth? ing more.) had deferred the challenge for nearly seven months after the alleged offence, and thereby entitled me, under a peremptory rule of the Code, apart from arrest, or any other contingency, to take twice that period to respond to his de? mand? I shall not condescend to im? pugn Gen. Cash's character as a gentle? man or a man of true courage, certainly not after having accepted his challenge, whether it be vulnerable or not upon those points. But I can certainly smile most complacently at all his scurrilities until he gives a satisfactory answer to these questions, and explain conduct which, throughout, is the most extraor? dinary that a gentleman aud man of true courage ever fell into. the anti-duelling association. The article on the Camden Anti-Duel? ling Association, mentioned by Col. Blair as published in the Carolina Sun, was prompted by the formation of "The Camden and Kersbaw County Anti Duelling Association," on June 3, with Judge Kershaw as President. The ob? jects were declared to be to educate and organize "the public opinion and moral sense of the people to a true perception of the criminality of the wicked and pernicous practice;" to take measures to procure an adjustment of personal diffi? culties which might tend to induce a duel "and to use and enforce all legal means of preventing duelling." col. cash's violent card. The card of Col. Cash is as follows: Cash's Depot, S. C, June 8. I have seen the News and Courier of this date, containing a report of the pro? ceedings of a body of men in Camden, who style themselves "An Anti-Duelling Association," and have also observed the editorial remarks on the same subject. As my name is closely associated with these movements I desire to notice them, but feel confident that were I to apply for the use of the columns of the News and Courier, I would meet with refusal. I, therefore, beg you to allow me the use of your paper, hoping that other papers in the State may copy what I have to say. No one will doubt that the editors of the News and Courier are in full sym? pathy with the anti-duelling movement ?their past records and private charac? ters are such as not only to qualify them for full membership to such an associa? tion, but would justify their elevation to prominent positions in the same. We are informed that this Camden Associa? tion is composed of men who will do their whole duty, and put an end to the "criminal" practice of duelling. Camden has grown pious very slow, very 1 As long as her men would fight we heard not one word about the "crim? inal practice of duelling." For years that section has been regarded as the Galway of tho State, and only a short time ago Williams and Cantey were per? mitted to leave the town to fight duels ; there was no howling ou those occasions. Williams and Cantey were willing to fight and were not molested; but just so soon as two of the leading citizens of the town strike their colors and take to their heels (in order to divert attention and to i hide their tracks) up pops an anti-duel? ling society, with a reformed drunkard, the tail end of the State bench, as Presi? dent, and I suppose with every braggart and bully in the town as members. Such an association will be a bomb-proof and God-send to all the liars, slanderers and cowards of the- place. They can 6peak of their neighbors as they please, and when called to account will "shirk" their respousibility ay pleading membership of this association. What a pity this movement had not been inaugurated t\y?. weeks ago! It would have served as a*toat of mail for an intimate friend and close connection of this pious president, and'saved a vast amount of whitewashing, rendered neces? sary by recent events. Tlyacarchangels take it upon 'themselves to denounce as "criminals" the acts of men who are as far their superiors as the eagle is the superior of the buzzard. These poor creatures denounce as "criminals" such men as Andrew Jackson, Henry Clay, Johu Rutlcdge, Alexander Hamilton, John Laurens, Commodore Perry and thousands of others of the best and purest men who inhabit the civilized portion of the world. In their agonv, and for the present occasion, they would denounce as "criminals" our own Perry, and Gist, and McDuffie, and Dunnovant, Legare, and Rhett, and Taber, and Magrath. Will this army corps of seraphs and cherubs tell us poor deluded creatures what they propose as a substitute for the duel? Will they be so kind as to sug? gest some better and more humane plan by which the weak can be put upon a footing with the strong? Will they tell us how the pigmy is to meet the giant ? Or are they such fools as to think the Millennium is at hand, or that from the date of their first meeting all strife and contention will cease throughout the world? Respectfully, E. B. C. Cash. the demand on shannon by el? lerbe. While Col. Cash was dealing with Capt. DePass, Capt. Ellerbe had de? manded satisfaction of Col. Shannon in the following letter: Kershaw Co., S. C, May 21. Col. Wtn. M. Shannon : Sir?In a case entitled "C. M. Wien ges vs. A. E. Cash and others," and in which you are acting as attorney for the plaintiff, you make use of the following words: "That further, the plaintiff alleges that the pretended confession of judgment has been made by the said de? fendant, Robt. E. Ellerbe, to his own sister, who is the said A. E. Cash, and thus by a family arrangement the said defendant intends to defeat the recovery of the plaintiff." When called upon by Col. Cash for an explanation of this charge you have expressly and emphati? cally disclaimed all knowledge of the sentence alluded to, and disavowed any intention of giving offence, but you have availed yourself of the benefit of this clause in your pleadings and to obtain an injunction in the case, and then, from excess of prudence, you erase the charge and disclaim all knowledge that it had been used. But, sir, your subsequent conduct in the management of the case, and especially the character of your in? terrogatories to me while I was on the witness stand, prove conclusively that, while you wished to avoid responsibility to Col. Cash, you at the same time tried to avail yourself of all advantages to bo had from the false charges you had made. I regret exceedingly that it has not been in my power to call upon you at an ear? lier date, but you will see I could not have done so without subjecting myBelf to misconstruction and militating against the rights of Mrs. Cash before the courts. Now that the case has been postponed and that you have abandoned your charge of fraud, and that question is no longer at issue, I feel free to act and de? mand of you redress for the false charges you have made against my character. My friend, Col. R. C. Watts, will make the necessary arrangements for a meet? ing. Respectfully, R. G. Ellerbe. To this letter Col. Shannon sent the following reply: Camden, S. C, May 24. Mr. B. G. Ellerbe. Swift Creek: Sir?I am in receipt of your note of 21st inst., handed to me on Saturday by your friend, Col. R. C. Watts, wherein you use the following language : "I feel free to act and demand of you redress for the false charges you made against my character. My friend, Col. R. C. Watts, will make the necessary arrange? ments for a hostile meeting." Ihe ground upon which you base your de? mand is a statement of certain proceed? ings in court, and your statement is en? tirely without foundation in fact. I therefore, while shirking no responsi? bility, deny your right to call me to account on any such statement. I deny your right to call me to the field of honor on any account, and decline your invita? tion. Your language, intended to be offensive, makes no impression on me, nor will it on any one who may happen to know us both. Respectfully, W. M. Shannon. ellerbe'' denunciation of shannon. Capt. Ellerbe's rejoinder was as fol? lows : Boykin's Depot, S. C, May 24. W. M. Shannon, Esq., Camden, S. C.: Sir?Your note of this date has been handed me by your friend, Mr. Wm. E. Johnson, by which said note you deny my right to call you to account for any statements made iu certain proceedings in court; though you insist that you shirk no responsibility. You also deny ray right to call you to the field of honor on any account, and decline my invita? tion to fight. I was under the impres? sion from your letters to Col. Cash that such was the case, that you would shirk no responsibility, but find I am mistaken ?that you are one of those unenviable men who insult gentlemen and then re? fuse to account to them the usual satis? faction that brave men award to those who consider themselves aggrieved. Your refusal to fight leaves me no altern? ative than to denounce you as a poltroon and coward, and to hold you up as an object of contempt to all brave men. R. G. Ellerbe. cash's demand on shannon. It will be noticed that prior to the letter of Capt. Ellerbe to Col. Shannon a 'somewhat similar demand had been made by Col. Cash, and that Col. Shan? non had disclaimed all knowledge of the offensive sentence in the papers, in the case of Wienges against Cash, and dis? avowed any intention of giving offence. Further Particulars of the Duel. Florence, July 7. I called on Col. E. B. C. Cash, at 5 o'clock yesterday evening, at his resi? dence at Cash's Depot, six miles below Cheraw, and had an interview of one hour with him about the origin of the du? el between Col. Shannon and himself, and the incidents attending the meeting. I was courteously received. W. B. Cash, A. H. Waring and B. J. Burgess were present during the interview. Col. Cash said: Mrs. Cash had adver? tised Robert Ellerbe's property for sale. Messrs. Shannon and DePass obtained an injunction against the sale of the property on account of a judgment deed by Wienges, whom they represented. They then instituted suit to set aside the judgment held by Mrs. Cash on four charges, one of the charges being fraud. The court decided the case against Mrs. Cash on the ground of the informality of the judgment, but, at the same time, de? cided that there was no fraud between Mrs. Cash and her brother. As soon as the case was decided and there was no lon? ger an issue of the question of fraud, Col. Cash and Capt. Ellerbe challenged Cant. DePass and Col. Shannon respectively. This was about the 20th of May. Shan? non declined to meet Ellerbe on the ground that Ellerbe had no claims on him. DePass accepted the challenge, and agreed to fight first at DuBose's Bridge, in Darlington County, about the 25th of May. DePass, however, was ar? rested. Afterwards arrangements were made to meet at Wright's Folly, Anson County, in North Carolina, on June 3. DePass was arrested agaiu at Chesterfield Courthouse, gave bond to keep the peace and was discharged from custody. Sub? sequently to this a correspondence was entered into between Shannon and my? self. The first letter was addressed to me by Col. Shannon on June 11, in which he intimated a desire to fight me. I de? clined to challenge him on the ground of inequality; he hating been denounced as a poltroon and coward by Capt, R. G. Ellerbe; but took the ground that a gentleman might, if challenged, fight his bootblack. Col. Shannon replied by sending me a challenge on June 27. Ar? rangements were made for a fight at Du Boso's Bridge, in Darlington County, on the 5th day of July, between the hours of 1 and 2 o'clock. The fight took place about half-past 2 o'clock in the afternoon ; Shannon's second having the word; Cash's second choosing the position ; dis? tance fifteen yards, stepped by the sec? onds ; weapons regular duelling pistole. It was agreed that the signal for firing should be given by the discharge of a I pistol in the air, which was done by Mr. W. E. Johnson, Col. Shannon's second. Col. Shannon fired first, about the word "one," his ball tailing effect in the ground about five paces in front of me, and throw? ing the sand in my face. At the time I thought I was shot. I fired between the words "two" and "three," there being a distinct pause between my shot and that of Col. Shannon. He staggered and was caugth by his friend, Col. Cautey, and I am informed died in five minutes. My sec? ond, Mr. W. B. Sanders, inquired of Mr. Johnson if he was satisfied, who replied that he was satisfied, and as well as I re? collect used the words: "My God, what more could we ask." I was taken from the ground by my second, and ray friend, Mr. Waring. This concluded my interview with Col. Cash, who spoke without the slightest perceptible excitement, but with calmness and dignity. Dr. Lee, of Darlington, was present at the duel as surgeon for Cash, and Dr. Bur? nett, of Camden, as surgeon for Shannon. W. E. Johnson, Shannon's second, was from Camden, and W. B. Sanders, Cash's second, from Sumter County. Each of the principals was attended by three friends upon the field, the friends of Col. Cash being A. H. Waring of Flor? ence, G. J. McCown of Darlington and M. L. Sanders of Sumtea. The friends of Colonel Shannon were Thomas An crum, J. M. Cantey and A. D. Goodwin of Camden. After the duel Col. Shannon's body was taken to Camden. It is said that when he was first shot he stood stock still for a moment, exclaimed "Oh, Godl" and, half turning around, fell and was caught by his second. In addition to the friends and seconds of the parties, a num? ber of other persons witnessed the duel. The pistols used by Cash were his own, and those used by Shannon are said to have been the property of Col. Alfred Rhett. Col. Cash went to Darlington County on Sunday and spent the night with his attendants at the house of Air. R. D. Lee, within a few miles of DuBose's Bridge. The duelling ground is about half way between Camden and Cash's Depot, and near the line dividing Kersbaw and Dar? lington Counties. Col. Cash returned home on Monday. It is rumored that he Fent word to the sheriff of Darlington County yesterday that he need not come to arrest him, as he would go down whenever he got a note from him. There is a general expression of horri? ble regret at the duel and its fatal result, and it is rumored that another meeting between Col. Shannon's son and Mr. W. B. Cash, Col. Cash's son, is contemplated and that there was an agreement between the Shannons, father aud son, that if the father fell in the fight, the son ehould take up the quarrel. At Cheraw universal regret is expressed at the sad termination of the difficulty at Bennettsville, and in Marlboro, there is much feeling against Col. Cash. At this place and in the county I am informed that there is great excitement and a feel of general indignation against Col. Cash. Public sentiment in this county is against duelling, and it is expected that the grand jury will take notice of the matter and institute proceedings. J. C. H. The Funeral nntl Coroner's Inquest. Camden, July 7. Great indignation has been manifested by all classes of our people, white and colored, over the killing of Col. William Shannon. Our whole people mourn his death. It is the heaviest loss that Ker shaw County has been called upon to bear for many years. The burial services took place on Tuesday evening, the Gth instant. Business was entirely suspend? ed. Over one hundred ?ople failed to gain admission to the church where the services were held, on account of the immense congregation. The cortege was composed of fifty-seven vehicles, besides a large number on foot?the largest funeral ever seen in Camden. Coroner Goodale held an inquest yes? terday and to-day. The verdict of the jury was that, "from the evidence brought before us, William Shannon came to Iiis death from a pistol-shot wound, said pistol being fired by E. B. C. Cash." Coroner Goodale immediately issued a warrant for the arrest of Col. Cash, di? rected to Sheriff Doby, who has trans? mitted the same to the sheriff of Ches? terfield County for execution. F. P. B. Why an Old TexanMade his Will. ?One day last month when trade was dull a grocery clerk procured a piece of sole leather from a shoemaker, painted it black and laid it aside for future use. Within a few day3 an old chap from back in the country came in and inquired for a plug of chewing tobacco. The piece of sole leather was tied up, paid for, and the purchaser started for home. At the end the sixth day he rcurncd, looking downcast and dejected, and, walking in? to the store, he inquired for the clerk. ?'Member that terbacker I got here the other day?" "Yes, sir." "Well, was that a new brand ?" "Yes," "Regular plug terbacker was it?" "Yes." "Well, then, it's me. It's right here in my jaws," sadly replied the old man, "I knowed I was getten purty old, but I was allus handy at bitin' plug. I never seed a plug afore this one that I couldn't tear to pieces at a chaw. I sot my teeth on this one, and bit and pulled and twis? ted like a dog at a root, and I've kept biting and pulling for six days, and thar she am now, the same as the day you sold her to me." "Seems to be a good plug," remarked the clerk, as he smelt of the counterfeit. "She's all right; it's me that's failing," exclaimed the old man. "Pass me out some fine cui, and I'll go home and deed the farm to the boys, and get ready for the grave myself."?Worth Advance. ? It is a well-established fact that a healthy man requires about a pint of air at a breath ; that he breathes about 1,000 times an hour, and that, as a matter beyond dispute, be requires about fifty seven hogsheads of air in twenty-four hours. TIIE TWO PARTY PLATFORMS. The New York Herald, the Leading Newr papcr of America, Expresses lt? Opinion on Their Relative .Merits. The Republican Platform. A closer examination of the republican platform compels us to regard it as a joke. It is impossible to imagine that the gentlemen who drew it regarded it as anything else. Take away from it the brag and the bluster which constitute its comic portions and there is nothing left but commonplace. _ It begins with bragging. The repub? lican party, says the first section, sup? pressed the rebellion, abolished slavery, . raised the value of the paper currency from thirty-eight cents to par, increased the foreign trade, paid the pensions, paid off a third of the debt, revived industry. It seems a pity to stop just there. Why not have added that the republican party raised the great crops of the last few years, caused the droughts and rains in Europe which made so great and profi? table an exportation of our products, created the fine wheat and corn weather with which we have been blessed for years, put a stop to the cattle plague, discovered and developed the new mines of precious metals anu dug out the Erie Canal? If the republican party really furnish? ed all the soldiers of the war and paid all the taxes since the war undoubtedly it did all the other things we have sug? gested. The plain truth of course is that the republican party has had con? trol of the government for tweuty years, on the whole has mismanaged public affairs very badly, and is not a bit sorry for its misconduct. In putting down the rebellion and in freeing the slaves Mr. Lincoln took counsel at every step with leading democrats as well as republi? cans ; ne was the President of the whole country, and democrats were constantly among his most intimate and cherished councellors. As for paying the taxes, the democrats have not been exempted from that; the pleasing aud republican part was to collect them and spend them paying their share and no more. The republican chiefs have fallen into the habit of looking backward. It is the common habit of parties which have been in power twenty years. In that time, and indeed before that time, par tics, in the nature of things, become effete. Like old men they live in the past; there is no future in them. Like old men, also, old parties conveniently remember only the pleasant and credita? ble part of their past. Thus the repub? lican platform in its amusing retrospect says nothing of the scandalous misgov ernment in the Southern States for which the party is alone responsible; nothing of the years in which they tam? pered with the currency and brought upon the country by their cowardice the plague of greenbackers; nothing of the mischievous election laws which they enacted and misused; nothing of the republican leaders, with less than a dozen honorable .ceptions, have been disa? greeably involved; nothing of the waste of the p ople's money which was thrown with lavish hands to jobbers of various kinds of years, until the democrats were at last placed in control of the House by an indignant and impoverished coun? try. Where the platform ceases to brag it begins to bluster, the connection being made by a brief section in which poly? gamy, internal improvements and pro? tective tariffs are huddled together, a few cold words in commendation of Mr. Hayes' votes being thrown in. The bluster concerns, naturally, the solid South and those dreadful democrats whose only object, it seems, is to turn their minority into a majority, as though the only object of the republican chiefs were not to retain possession of the gov? ernment. The bluster is, on the whole, more strongly comic than the brag; it draws a picture of the democratic "lust of office and patronage," which if it were not labelled "democrat" would be gen ally mistaken for a description of the republicans drawn by themselves.? Surely a party which seized the Presi? dency as the republicans did in 1876-7, nnd then quarrelled with the man they forced into the White House because he would not gratify to the extent of their demands their "insatiable lust of office and patronage," but honorably preferred to serve the country rather than the party leaders?surely such a party should "sing small," to use a sea phrase, when the topic is greed of office and power. The democratic platform is by no means faultless; we mean to take it to pieces another day. But it has at least the very great merit that it looks ahead. It promises the country something ; the republicans promise nothing, except a continuance of a high protective tariff. The democratic platform speaks of liv? ing questions; it proposes free ships and an extension of American commerce in America bottoms ; it proposes a reform of the revenue laws so that they shall yield revenue and not mainly embar? rass commerce and foster monopolies; it proposes to spend the money of the taxpayers for public purposes alone and to reserve the public lands for the people who will settle on them. No doubt the democrats are a terrible set of fellows; nothing could bo more disagreeable to to the republican chiefs than the appa? rition of an opposition party making a real bid for popular favor, letting the dead past bury itself, and looking for? ward to living questions in which the happiness and prosperity of the people are concerned. The republican platform represents very accurately the spirit of the party leaders. They have been twenty years in power, as the platform takes care to remind the voters; aud they would like to have another twenty years of it on the strength of past services. They refuse to look forward ; they promise nothing to the country. At the last session of Congress they played the part of obstruc? tives and nothing else. Every reform which was brought forward received only their obstinate opposition. The election laws so clearly needed amend? ment that all the candid republican journals spoke out in favor of proposed changes, but the party leaders opposed every change. The civil service was seen to need better regulation, but the most eminent of the republican Senators declared the question a mere abstraction. The attempt of Mr. Bayard to place the currency on a stable basis by withdraw? ing the greenbacks fulfilled the republi? cans with consternation. Every attem4 \ to improve the tariff aud make some parts of it less burdensome upon legiti? mate industries was vigorously opposed and successfully thwarted by the repub? licans with General Garfield at their head. The proposal for free ships wa9 denounced by the republicans as other men would denounce an act of theft or piracy. Their platform expresses with ac? curacy their determination to yield noth? ing to the just demands of the country, to oppose all changes and reforms and to continue to livo in the past and on the past. Revenue laws adopted during the stress of war, and thought extrava? gant and unwise even then, must not be changed. Election laws adopted while the country still rocked on the ground swell left by the war, and proved to have been shamelully abused for partisan ends, must not be changed. The war and the solid South must still be the only public questions. That is the meaning of the republican platform and of the republican chiefs. If the country likes that they have made their formal and official offer. But we repeat, it sounds to us like a joke, and a very poor joke at that. TIio Democratic riattbrin. Whatever may be said against the democratic platform it cannot be denied that it is an honest and businesslike doc? ument, and in this respect it is very unlike the bragging and blustering re? publican platform. There are, undoubt? edly, a great many voters to whom the democratic propositions will be unwel? come ; voters who do not like free ships; voters who are opposed to tariff for revenue; voters who want more subsidies and who will, therefore, dislike the democratic declaration that the taxes shall be spent only for public and not for private objects. But it is the great merit of the democratic platform that it says something; that it proposes reforms to which those who have benefited by old abuses will of course object, but which will relieve and benefit the peo? ple; that it courageously strikes at mo? nopolists, subsidy mongers and jobbers. Naturally monopolists, jobbers and subsidy mongers do not like it; but then it was scarcely to be expected that they would. These classes who wish to live on the taxpayers as they have long done, prefer the republican platform, and they are right. That platform has nothing in it distasteful to them. Where the re? publican leaders did not think it pru? dent to encourage monopoly they cau? tiously said nothing, and their platform leaves the door open to all -the abuses, extravagance and reckless waste which characterized republican legislation be? fore the people put the democrats in control of the House of Representatives. It is often said that platforms mean nothing; but, in the present instance, it happens that the national platforms rep? resent pretty accurately the spirit of the two parties. The republican platform looks backward, the democratic platform deals in and appeals to old and mis? chievous sectioual issues; the democratic platform, though not perfect, is yet thoroughly national and not sectional in its spirit. The republican platform favors or encourcges monopolies; the democratic platform favors the taxpayers ?the people. We have spoken of the democratic platform as an hooest and businesslike document, and one proof of this is that though much shorter than that of the republicans it contains all that is good and pertinent in that and a great deal more besides. The republicans in a cumborous paragraph speak for free edu? cation, and in another, equally cumbo? rous and verbose, for separation of Church and State. The democrats cover the same ground in one eneigetic and clear sentence, demanding "separation of Church and State for the good of each; and common schools fostered and pro? tected." The republicans talk vaguely of protecting the liberties of all; the democrats boldly declare that "the right of a free ballot is the right preservative of all rights, and must and shall be maintained in every part of the United States." We have looked for some other points for comparison, but the republican platform does not afford tbem. It is weak, shallow, wordy, purposely vague, and would make the fathers of the party blush with anger if they could read it in their graves; for those men ?the Sumners, Andrews, Giddings Lovejoys?were not accustomed to the mincing gait and cautious verbosity of their successors. The republicans declare that "com mer should be steadily eucouraged," which may mean anything or nothing; the democrats declare manfully for "free ships and a living chance for American commerce on the seas and on the land," which means something definite. The republicans say timidly that "the credit acquired should never be impaired ;" the democrats declare for "honest money and the strict maintenance of the public faith, State and national," which covers the whole ground without hesitation or timidity. The republicans say in one sec? tion that "the reviving industries should be further promoted," and in another, lower down, that "the duties levied for the purpose of revenue should so dis? criminate as to favor American labor," which may mean anything, and was evidently "written in the hope that it might catch in one net the protectionists of Pennsylvania and the free trade farmers of Illinois and the Northwest generally. It holds out a shadowy promise to both. The democrats declare for "a tariff for revenue o'Aj; public money and public credit for public pur? poses solely," and the party "pledges itself to protect the workingman alike against the cormorants and the commune." There is the clear ring of honest purpose in these words, which may alarm mo? nopolists, but will reassure legitimate enterprise and honest labor every where. Eveu on the wretched Chinese question, where both platforms are, in our opinion, bad and un-American, the republicans halt and shuffle, while the democrats are outspoken. Mr. Facing-botb-ways, who was evidently the author of the republi? can platform, tells John Chinaman that he must go?but he tells him with a snivel; he puts his arm lovingly around John before he stabs him ; the democrat bluntly, but definitely, tells him he shall not come here "except for travel, educa? tion or foreign commerce," which, by the way, are the only purposes for which the Chinese allow Americans to enter China. Finally, it must be admitted that there is a little" brag also in the demo? cratic platform, but it is on a point where the party has a right to boast of itself. It "has reduced the public expenditures forty millions a year," say the democrats, and they might have added that it did this against the sneers and open and covert opposition of the republicans in Congress. This demo? cratic boast is well founded. They had the courage to be unfashionable. From the day they regained control of the House of Representatives they have fought for rigid economy, sometimes with poor judgment, but courageously and regard? less of the out cries and resistance of the republicans. The lobby has disappeared from Washington since the democrats "came in ;" that lobby which was once so powerful that in the last House which was under republican rule the Speaker was publicly presented with a piece of silver as a testimonial from "the king of the lobby." It was said by one of the shrewdest men in the democratic party some years ago, "I don't believe we democrats will ever win until we dare to be democrats." Well, the platform this year is a genu? inely democratic platform ; the party seems at last to have turned democratic. It has regained its old time boldness and directness; it dares once more to say what it means. Who knows? perhaps it will win. It looks a little that way j ust now. ? New York Herald. ? Lazy editors write it JESfcock. j Bill Arn Fully Aroused for the Ticket. Hurrah for Hancock! Hurrah for English ! I had an abiding faith that the convention would do right. I've been for General Hancock for two months, and so has everybody else that I hear talk now, but I've got the dead wood on it; I writ it in a letter to you a good while ago. I want you to keep that letter, for it's good documentary evidence. May be I'll need it when the time comes, and I want an office for I suppose the gener? al will give his first friends 'the first pick. He has been my choice all the time. In fact I was for him before I knew him, for my ancestors used to tell me about the family?agiand old family. Eis great-grandfather was the first man to sign the declaration of independence, and just look what a hand write he had. His signature is the biggest, boldest and most defiant'of all of them. He is a military man, but then he believes that civil law is a bigger thing than military power, and that's the difference between nim and General Grant. He said that the republican congress might wipe out all the laws of Texas and Louisiana, but they could not make any better code than they had already. He is a statesman, as well as a soldier, and besides that he is a splendid looking man. I've got his pho? tograph and that's the reason I was for him a long time ago. He is a large man ?as big as Judge Underwood and almost as good looking. He carries himself like a champion, and has a kind, cheerful face that inspires love and confidence. I am not afraid of him abit and I don't want him to be afraid of me. Since his nomination I have put up my sights a peg or two. I'm bothered now'about what office I will take, for the truth is, I don't exactly know what kind of a one I'm fit for. I'm going to leave that, matter to the general when he gets in. But its glorious?the prospect is like a beautiful vision. It's like liberty being suddenly ushered upon a man who was in the chain-gang for life. I feel like shouting for the day of deliverance is at hand. I'm here in Rome, where the boys are jubilating over the result. They sent off a telegram this morning to the general, congratulating him, and he replied in two minutes, thanking them for their good wishes. Rome believes that sho can elect him. I don't know whether he is poor or rich, but if he wants any money to travel around on just let him draw on Sam Morgan for supplies. The city of Rome is on a boom now and throwing her surplus around loose. Whenever she used to want any money she issued a few bonds, but now they have all got rich and pay the money down. Everybody is falling into line. I hear that Dr. Fcl ton and all the independents are going to join the regulars over again; that's all right. I'll kill a calf or something and go to hear the doctor preach every Sunday. Henry Harper has just come in and says he indorses Hancock; that he don't know hira personally but he met a good many of his boys at Sharpsburg and Gettysburg, and any other burg, and the reception was very cordial on both sides. Henry says the general had lots of boys, and they came to see us a little oftener than they was wanted. Says he, I have no personal acquaintance with him, but I have every reason to believe he is as good a man as I am, aud that's say? ing more than I usually do about any man. This nomination is a thing around which every democrat can rally and rejoice. We will have no more dissen? sion's now. Foreytbe is coming back, and John Reese, and I hear that Zach Hargrove says he has been a Hancock democrat for five years. But the poor darkies; I don't know what will become of them. If Zach quits em, they will be without a keel or rudder. May be he will bring em with him, and then we will have a solid south sure enough. Judge Under? wood says he is for anything that will secure General Hancock's election ; that be doesn't know him, but his record is splendid, and as for English, he was a friend of Howell Cobb, and that is all he wants to know. It's credential enough. Howell Cobb said that English was one of nature's noblemen, and ne would trust him with his wife and children and his sacred honor. The judge is running for attorney-general and says he loves every? body and wants everybody to love him; that General Colquit is a noble man, and Lester is a splendid gentleman, and Har deman is fit to be a king, and Gartrell would make a second Bismarck, and he has reason to believe there are many men in Georgia who would make a good attor? ney-general, but he knows that he would, and knowledge is better than faith. He says he is like Alexander Stephens, he is going to tote his own skillet and tote it carefully and not sling it around and break a leg off if he can help it. I hope the judge will get the nomination, for you see that will make a vacancy and I al? ways did like vacancies. If Judge War? ner would resign it would do a power of good ; and it seems to me he ought to do it?considering the relations of supply and demand. But all this is foreign to the boom. Hurrah for Hancock! I say. E. F. Howell has got sense and discernment. He has been for him all the time. The Constitution has been consistent, and done a good deal to shape the destiny of the reaction. It's wonderful what little things efTect great revolutions. Major Biug ham, of North Carolina, made a speech on that subject here in Rome the other night, at the Shorter college?a grand speech, and all taken from history?and I was talking with Rounsaville, and he told me that Almer Stillwell saw him unload a few sacks of wheat about 25 years ago, and was pleased with the way he handled 'em, and advised him to come to Rome and get employment, which he did, and that circumstance had shaped his destiny and his children after him to unborn generations, and I told him as how my father came out from Massachusetts to Savannah with a load of brick and got wrecked upon the coast and couldent get back, and married a southern girl and cast his fortune with the south some sixty years ago?but if he hadn't lost the brick and had have gone back and mar? ried some other woman, then where would I be to-day? It is sad to contemplate, for I might have been some other fellow which would not have been agreeable ? either to him or to me. I might have been Ben Butler or Henry Ward Beecher, or some other fellow of like conduct and persuasions, and brought upon myself a power of trouble. Hurrah for Hancock and English. I like the sound of the thing. It's better than Garfield and Arthur. Mgnifest des? tiny is upon us. If we dont elect our men I shall lose faith in all subloonary things and try and fit myself for heaven and quit. Yours, Bill A nr. Honored and Blest.?When a board of eminent physicians and chemists announced the discovery that by com? bining some well known valuable reme? dies the most wonderful medicine was produced, which would cure such a wide range of disease that most all other remedies could be dispensed with, many were skeptical; but proof of its merits by actual trial has dispelled all doubt, and to-day the discoverers of that Great medi? cine, Hop Bitters, are honored and blessed by all as benefactors.?Democrat.