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Story
June 19, 1907
Keowee Courier
Walhalla, Pickens, Oconee County, Pickens County, South Carolina
What is this article about?
In 1887, Patrick Calhoun and railroad president Williamson fought the last code duel south of Mason-Dixon's line on the Georgia border. Calhoun fired all shots missing; Williamson fired into the air, sparing his life, and they became friends.
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His Life Spared In a Duel.
Patrick Calhoun, millionaire railroad man, indicted on 14 counts in San Francisco on charges of bribery, was a principal in the last duel fought according to the code south of Mason and Dixon's line. During the winter of 1887 Calhoun got into an altercation with a man named Williamson, president of a Georgia railroad, and the lie was passed. Though a law forbidding dueling had been in effect for years, there had never been a prosecution in Georgia nor the neighboring States, and it was therefore arranged to fight according to the code.
Seconds were chosen and a point selected on the Georgia line, near the Tennessee and Alabama lines. Calhoun and Williamson, accompanied by their seconds and a physician, went to the appointed spot in carriages. On the tracks of a nearby railroad were two engines, with steam up, so that in the event of a fatality the victor could make his escape in either direction.
Williamson won the toss for position, and, as the sun was setting, chose to stand at the edge of the woods, with the light behind him. Calhoun won the toss for the call of time, and they took their places, armed with five-chamber revolvers. The terms were that each was to fire until the chambers were exhausted or until one or the other fell.
At the call "Fire!" Calhoun fired at Williamson, and then, as fast as he could pull the trigger, emptied his gun, only to find his opponent unhurt. Williamson had not fired a shot, but stood with his revolver unraised. It looked as though he had Calhoun at his mercy, for he was privileged, according to the code, to fire at will.
Calhoun looked at him intently, probably expecting to receive a bullet the next instant, and then cried out: "Fire, sir; have done with this!"
For reply, Williamson slowly raised his revolver until it pointed straight above his head, and then pulled the trigger five times, discharging every bullet in the air.
Calhoun was thunderstruck; but when Williamson smiled and made a motion as though to approach him, he took the first step, and they met midway between the pegs which they had been toeing.
A warm handclasp and a few words, and they were again fast friends.
Patrick Calhoun, millionaire railroad man, indicted on 14 counts in San Francisco on charges of bribery, was a principal in the last duel fought according to the code south of Mason and Dixon's line. During the winter of 1887 Calhoun got into an altercation with a man named Williamson, president of a Georgia railroad, and the lie was passed. Though a law forbidding dueling had been in effect for years, there had never been a prosecution in Georgia nor the neighboring States, and it was therefore arranged to fight according to the code.
Seconds were chosen and a point selected on the Georgia line, near the Tennessee and Alabama lines. Calhoun and Williamson, accompanied by their seconds and a physician, went to the appointed spot in carriages. On the tracks of a nearby railroad were two engines, with steam up, so that in the event of a fatality the victor could make his escape in either direction.
Williamson won the toss for position, and, as the sun was setting, chose to stand at the edge of the woods, with the light behind him. Calhoun won the toss for the call of time, and they took their places, armed with five-chamber revolvers. The terms were that each was to fire until the chambers were exhausted or until one or the other fell.
At the call "Fire!" Calhoun fired at Williamson, and then, as fast as he could pull the trigger, emptied his gun, only to find his opponent unhurt. Williamson had not fired a shot, but stood with his revolver unraised. It looked as though he had Calhoun at his mercy, for he was privileged, according to the code, to fire at will.
Calhoun looked at him intently, probably expecting to receive a bullet the next instant, and then cried out: "Fire, sir; have done with this!"
For reply, Williamson slowly raised his revolver until it pointed straight above his head, and then pulled the trigger five times, discharging every bullet in the air.
Calhoun was thunderstruck; but when Williamson smiled and made a motion as though to approach him, he took the first step, and they met midway between the pegs which they had been toeing.
A warm handclasp and a few words, and they were again fast friends.
What sub-type of article is it?
Historical Event
Extraordinary Event
Personal Triumph
What themes does it cover?
Bravery Heroism
Triumph
Moral Virtue
What keywords are associated?
Duel
Honor Code
Reconciliation
Georgia
1887
Sparing Life
What entities or persons were involved?
Patrick Calhoun
Williamson
Where did it happen?
On The Georgia Line, Near The Tennessee And Alabama Lines
Story Details
Key Persons
Patrick Calhoun
Williamson
Location
On The Georgia Line, Near The Tennessee And Alabama Lines
Event Date
Winter Of 1887
Story Details
Patrick Calhoun and Williamson dueled according to the code after an altercation. Calhoun fired all shots missing, but Williamson spared his life by firing into the air, leading to reconciliation and friendship.