Rensselaer Republican, Volume 14, Number 2, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 September 1881 — Duel Between Virginians. [ARTICLE]

Duel Between Virginians.

New York Sun. Warrenton, Va., Aug. 20.—A duel was fought here last evening which resulted in a painful, though not dangerous injury to one of. the principals, and' also in the arrest of all the parlies. The affair was conducted with great secrecy, and it has been somewhat difficult to obtain all the facts. Mr. Robert R. Campbell and Mr. James C. Scott, were tne principals, and Alexander Hunter and Dash Scott the seconds. The principals are leading lawyers here, both of them having a large practice, and both claiming the bluest of Virginia blood in their' veins. Mr. Campbell is regarded as one of the most promising of the younger lawyers at Mr. Scott is spoken of as a brilliant pleader. They differed it is said, in politics. Mr. Campbell recently received the nomination of the Readjusters for the House of Delegates, and his popularity and ability would, it is believed, have resulted in his election. Mr. Scott is a Conservative, and has regarded Mr. Campbell’s defection for some time with suspicion. The duel is said to have arisen from an accusation made by Scott that Campbell had become a readjuster for dollars and ceufa. When Mr. Campbell heard of the accusation he replied by a note in which he is said to have accused Mr. Scott of being a liar. A challenge followed, but the meeting was temporarily prevented. Yesterday morning Campbell went from Warrenton by train to Warrenton Junction. Mr. Scott, by previous arrangement, remained In Warrenton. The Junction is nine miieafrom Warrenton, and is a solitary place, the depot building being the only house there. There is a telegraph office in the depot, and Mr. Campbell began early in the day to use the wires. A great many dispatches passed back and forth relative to the time and place of the meeting, and Mr. Campbell seemed very much afraid that it could not be arranged. In the afternoon the preliminaries were, completed. The arrangements were that the principals should meet, with their seconds, at a grove called the Poplars, a secluded spot, at sundown. Mr. Scott with his second, left Warrenton soon after 6 P. M., anc Mr. Campbell drove from the Junction at about the same time. They arrived in the grove nearly together. Mr. Scott sat down under a tree and Mr. Campbell paced back and forth while the seconds were arranging the final preliminaries. An attempt at a reconciliation proved unsuccessful, and it was decided that the

men should be plaeed at a distance of ten paces apart, back to back, and that at the words “One, Two, Three—firer’ pronounced by Mr.Hunter.they should turn and fire. Neither of the principals seemed nervous. Both were anxious for an exchange of shots. Each is about the same height (5 feet 6 inches) and heavy built, and each has a heavy dark moustache. They were placed in portion by ttodr seconds, who then stepped back a few paces. Mr. Hunter pronounced the words,and each turned Cimultaneously and fired Mr. Scott's left arm was suddenly raised, while Mr. Campbell stood motionless. It was found that Mr. Scott was wounded in the lefthand. Mr. Scott’s second bound up the wound as well as he was able,and,after a few moments conversation with bis principal, approached Mr. Campbell’s second and announced that his friend desired another exchange of shots. Mr. Quupbell, who heard the announcement, said that be was ready to accom modate Mr. Scott, but the seconds, after a conference, decided the demands drhonor: "were satisfied, and refused fc> allow another exchange. When this decision was announeed’to the principals they approached and and shook hands, each declaring that the other had acted as a gentleman should act They were about to retire' from the field when they were arrested by the constables from Warrenton,who bad heard that a meeting was contemplated, and who had made haste to follow Mr. Scott when he drove out of town. The principals were boundover for trial. Both principals are married. Mr. Scott’s wife'was a very wealthy lady from Louisiana. Mr. Campbell’s wife is the daughter of CoL John S. Moe by, now Consul to Hong Kong. The affair has caused urfuch excitement here.