State

Page Six THE STATE January 11, 1936 Three Outstanding Duels IIS' clays w lion «luoling* was in flower, lliere were many challenges issued and accepted in North Carolina. The three mentioned in this article were outstanding. TODAY, if a mail says or does something another resents, the ag¬ grieved party either gives him a piece of his inirnl or else delivers a few well-aimed blows with his fist and goes oil about his business. Hut it wasn’t always thus. In the olden days in North Carolina, a real gentleman considered that there was only one honorable way to settle a dispute and that was with a duel. A challenge would be issued and if ac¬ cepted, a time and place of meeting would be decided upon. Seconds would l*o chosen and the most skillful, or per¬ haps the luckiest, man would win. Many famous duels have taken place in North Carolina, both before and since n drastic law against them was passed in 1S03, hut none have been more famous nor created more feeling than the Spaight-Stanly, Carson- Vance and Stanly- Henry duels. The Spaight-Stanly Duel The first of these, between Ex- Governor Spaight and John Stanly, came about as the result of hitter, personal discussions between these two great leaders. Governor Spaight, who had been the senator from Craven, was again the Republican candidate, while John Stanly, then in Congress, took the Stump against him although it was not the year for electing representatives in Congress. Stanly accused Spaight of dodging under the pretense of bad health when the Alien and Sedition Act was before Congress. Spaight was elected and replied to Stanly's ehnrgo in a handbill. Stanly so resented it that he issued a chal¬ lenge to Spaight for a duel. On the afternoon of the same day that it was issued — Sunday, September 5, 1S02, on the outskirts of New Hern, the duel By UVJIL IVEY SEAY took place. Spaight was fatally wounded and died the next day. The Last Legal Duel Governor Williams instituted crimi¬ nal proceedings against Stanly hut later pardoned him. This was the last legal duel to take place in North Carolina though others afterwards privately risked their lives on the field of honor. The Legislature was so shocked by the death of such a prominent man as Spaight in such a manner that it im¬ mediately passed an act making ‘‘in¬ eligible to any act of trust, honor or profit, any one sending, accepting or hearing a challenge, and he shall be liable to be indicted, despite any pardon or reprieve; and in ease of a duel, and either party is killed, the survivor shall suffer death and all aiding and aliening shall likewise suffer death.” This action of the Legislature seemed to have little effect for in February, 1813, another Stanly duel took place, this time between Thomas Stanly and Lewis Henry— a tragic ending to an unimportant, boyish prank. This one also took place in New Bern. Lewis and Stanly had long been close friends and were at the time classmates at New Hern, where they were both studying law. The Supper Incident At a supper given by a fellow class¬ mate, Stanly playfully threw a small piece of cake across the table. The cake accidentally fell in Lewis’ cup, splash¬ ing tea upon his vest. A young lady companion sitting next to him sug¬ gested that the incident was intended as an insult so a challenge to a duel was issued. The combat took place in Virginia, just beyond the North Carolina line, Stanly being instantly killed. The tragedy was a keen blow to residents of New Hern, where Stanly was a mem¬ ber of a prominent family and a popular member of the younger social set. Until the time of Lewis’ death, it was said that his conscience tormented him unceasingly over the unfortunate affair. On November 6, 1S77, another famous duel took place, this time be¬ tween Dr. Kobe» Carson and Samuel P. Vance, opposing candidates for Con¬ gress. Carson was successful in the campaign hut at the next election in 1827, Vance again ran against him. A Slur Against An Ancestor In one of his campaign speeches, Vance charged that Carson’s grand¬ father had proved a rebel during the Revolutionary War. This statement so incensed Carson that lie issued a chal¬ lenge. It was accepted and proved fatal to Vance. Because of the prominence of the Vance family, the duel stirred the western part of the state as much as the Stanly-Lcwis one had stirred the people in eastern North Carolina. Though the act of the Legislature in making dueling a criminal offense doubtless had sonio effect, it was a good many years lieforc the practice died out entirely. Most “gentlemen'’ of that day considered that a duel was the only honorable way to avenge an insult and strangely, most of them escaped criminal proceedings even after drastic action was taken against the practice. The methods used today in settling arguments, though attended by far less eeiomony, seem to ho just as satis¬ factory, and far less fatal, than in the days when a man felt that the only way ho could save his honor was to court death on the dueling field.