MISSOURI STATE ARCHIVES
Crack of the Pistol:
Dueling in 19th Century Missouri
State of Missouri v. Ira P. Nash
February Term 1831
Boone County Circuit Court
Challenge to fight a duel
Jury found defendant guilty and fined him $100.00
Sir
I have always been fond of the chase, and of gaming. I have experienced great satisfaction in the chase, in the countries of west Florida & New Mexico, & in the states of, Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Louisiana, North Carolina, S. Carolina, Missouri & Tennessee in the extreme Eastern part of the latter I took my first chase when quite a boy—Now sir the object of this communication is , to let you know that there is no anything could be more grateful to my feelings than to take a short hunt with you, in some place not exposed to Indian depredations, and as my first chase was in the east of Tennessee I propose to take this (perhaps my last) chase in the extreme west of that state, say in Mississippi bottom opposite New Madrid. I propose the hunting camp to be located somewhere near the Mississippi R (nigh to where the eye of Leonard flashed on Major Berry) and then and there the preliminary arrangements will be made for the hunt, by ++++ say our camp keepers-and they will, no doubt, give you liberty to execute your threat (of 12th of June last) on me—and if you stick close to the chase I insure that we will have something of better color, if not so strong scented, as that with which you plastered my letter 10th of last June. Yours P. Nash
Captn.
Gilpin S. Tuttle
Nashville,
Mo.
P. S. Sir I most seriously invite you to this hunt—you may object to the season, but it is the best time to save save meat and skins, and the climate is more mild at New Madrid than here—I have frequently observed that men by being camp-mates (each doing his duty) would become great friend, and agreeable associates. Therefore this measure is absolutely necessary three days after this is delivered, I shall call at Nashville for an answer for this invitation—believing most confidently that you will perfectly understand this prelude at the first glance. There is an embargo (and something worse) on those who execute certain instruments of writing in Missouri, which criminal words, I have, and will avoid---But there is no law (that I know of) which prohibits hunting parties---Yours Nash
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