~ Never Married
~ He was private secretary to his uncle, Governor John Pope (1770-1845), at the time of his duel in Arkansas.
~ The duel which led to his eventual death took place February 5, 1831.
--------------------------------------
Congress had passed an act donating to the Territory ten sections of land for the purpose of providing means with which to erect a state house. Robert Crittenden, secretary of the Territory, who had built a handsome residence on about a block of ground in Little Rock, proposed to exchange that residence for the ten sections of land. A bill accepting the offer was passed by the Legislature, but Governor Pope vetoed it, saying in his message that the land was worth vastly more than the block of ground and the Crittenden house. The governor's action served to stir up opposition to him, and articles reflecting on his administration appeared in the Advocate, as well as in the Helena Democrat, which paper commenced publication shortly after the Advocate was started. A series of letters signed "Deavereaux" appeared in the Advocate. These letters were antagonistic to the administration of the Governor. He was a one-armed man and also infirm. Therefore, his nephew, Major Pope, felt called upon to defend him. Major Pope published a card in the Gazette containing some very strong and forcible language in regard to the writer of these articles. Mr. Charles Fenton Mercer Noland then revealed himself as their author, and replied to Major Pope in a manner calculated to have but one result. Major Pope immediately challenged him. It seems that the challenge was withheld for several days, and Major Pope sent a note to Mr. Noland in which he stated that if his challenge was not accepted, he would post him as a coward.
Major Noland accepted the challenge, and the principals, with their seconds and surgeons, by agreement, traveled to the plantation of Col. Benjamin Milam, in old Miller county on February 4, 1834. The whole party was entertained for the night on their arrival by Col. Milam, and grounds for the encounter were selected that evening, so as to have everything in readiness.
The place selected for the meeting was a strip of land at the head of Lost Prairie, which was then considered to belong to the Republic of Texas, but was afterwards claimed as a part of Miller county. Mr. Noland's second was Dr. Nimrod Menifee, of Conway county, and his surgeon Dr. William P. Reyburn. Major Elias Rector was to have acted for Major Pope, but he was taken sick while enroute on horseback. Major Thomas Scott, of Lafayette county acted as his second.
Arriving at the grounds, the principals were placed in position at ten paces, and loaded dueling pistols placed in their hands. Major Scott was chosen to give the "words," which he did as follows: "Gentlemen, are you ready? One, two, three, Fire!" At the word "two," both fired, and the ball from Mr. Noland's pistol took effect in Major Pope's left leg. Major Scott then asked Mr. Noland if he was satisfied. He replied, "I am in the hands of my friends." Dr. Menifee then asked Major Scott if his principal was satisfied. Major Pope, who was still prostrate on the ground, replied, "No, I must have another shot." With the assistance of his second, he arose to his feet, but before the second shot could be fired, he was seized with severe cramps in the wounded leg and again fell on the ground.
The bystanders, acting for both principals, among whom were Col. Milam, Judge Powell Ellis, of the Province of Texas, and Jacob Buzzard, seeing that Major Pope was physically unable to continue the conflict, interfered, to put a stop to the duel, whereupon Mr. Noland and his friends left the grounds. The surgeon probed Major Pope's wound, but did not succeed in removing the bullet. The sufferer remained at the residence of Col. Milam, in the neighborhood of the duel, for about two weeks, when he was conveyed to Little Rock, where he died, in great agony. June 17th, aged only 23 years.
When Noland returned to his home at Batesville, after the duel, he refused the congratulations of friends who crowded around him, with tears in his eyes and speechless sorrow, throwing up his hands to indicate admonishment. He is said to have always regretted the acts which led up to the encounter.
"History of the Arkansas Press for a Hundred Years and More" by Fred W. Allsopp (1922)
~ He was private secretary to his uncle, Governor John Pope (1770-1845), at the time of his duel in Arkansas.
~ The duel which led to his eventual death took place February 5, 1831.
--------------------------------------
Congress had passed an act donating to the Territory ten sections of land for the purpose of providing means with which to erect a state house. Robert Crittenden, secretary of the Territory, who had built a handsome residence on about a block of ground in Little Rock, proposed to exchange that residence for the ten sections of land. A bill accepting the offer was passed by the Legislature, but Governor Pope vetoed it, saying in his message that the land was worth vastly more than the block of ground and the Crittenden house. The governor's action served to stir up opposition to him, and articles reflecting on his administration appeared in the Advocate, as well as in the Helena Democrat, which paper commenced publication shortly after the Advocate was started. A series of letters signed "Deavereaux" appeared in the Advocate. These letters were antagonistic to the administration of the Governor. He was a one-armed man and also infirm. Therefore, his nephew, Major Pope, felt called upon to defend him. Major Pope published a card in the Gazette containing some very strong and forcible language in regard to the writer of these articles. Mr. Charles Fenton Mercer Noland then revealed himself as their author, and replied to Major Pope in a manner calculated to have but one result. Major Pope immediately challenged him. It seems that the challenge was withheld for several days, and Major Pope sent a note to Mr. Noland in which he stated that if his challenge was not accepted, he would post him as a coward.
Major Noland accepted the challenge, and the principals, with their seconds and surgeons, by agreement, traveled to the plantation of Col. Benjamin Milam, in old Miller county on February 4, 1834. The whole party was entertained for the night on their arrival by Col. Milam, and grounds for the encounter were selected that evening, so as to have everything in readiness.
The place selected for the meeting was a strip of land at the head of Lost Prairie, which was then considered to belong to the Republic of Texas, but was afterwards claimed as a part of Miller county. Mr. Noland's second was Dr. Nimrod Menifee, of Conway county, and his surgeon Dr. William P. Reyburn. Major Elias Rector was to have acted for Major Pope, but he was taken sick while enroute on horseback. Major Thomas Scott, of Lafayette county acted as his second.
Arriving at the grounds, the principals were placed in position at ten paces, and loaded dueling pistols placed in their hands. Major Scott was chosen to give the "words," which he did as follows: "Gentlemen, are you ready? One, two, three, Fire!" At the word "two," both fired, and the ball from Mr. Noland's pistol took effect in Major Pope's left leg. Major Scott then asked Mr. Noland if he was satisfied. He replied, "I am in the hands of my friends." Dr. Menifee then asked Major Scott if his principal was satisfied. Major Pope, who was still prostrate on the ground, replied, "No, I must have another shot." With the assistance of his second, he arose to his feet, but before the second shot could be fired, he was seized with severe cramps in the wounded leg and again fell on the ground.
The bystanders, acting for both principals, among whom were Col. Milam, Judge Powell Ellis, of the Province of Texas, and Jacob Buzzard, seeing that Major Pope was physically unable to continue the conflict, interfered, to put a stop to the duel, whereupon Mr. Noland and his friends left the grounds. The surgeon probed Major Pope's wound, but did not succeed in removing the bullet. The sufferer remained at the residence of Col. Milam, in the neighborhood of the duel, for about two weeks, when he was conveyed to Little Rock, where he died, in great agony. June 17th, aged only 23 years.
When Noland returned to his home at Batesville, after the duel, he refused the congratulations of friends who crowded around him, with tears in his eyes and speechless sorrow, throwing up his hands to indicate admonishment. He is said to have always regretted the acts which led up to the encounter.
"History of the Arkansas Press for a Hundred Years and More" by Fred W. Allsopp (1922)
~ Never Married
~ He was private secretary to his uncle, Governor John Pope (1770-1845), at the time of his duel in Arkansas.
~ The duel which led to his eventual death took place February 5, 1831.
--------------------------------------
Congress had passed an act donating to the Territory ten sections of land for the purpose of providing means with which to erect a state house. Robert Crittenden, secretary of the Territory, who had built a handsome residence on about a block of ground in Little Rock, proposed to exchange that residence for the ten sections of land. A bill accepting the offer was passed by the Legislature, but Governor Pope vetoed it, saying in his message that the land was worth vastly more than the block of ground and the Crittenden house. The governor's action served to stir up opposition to him, and articles reflecting on his administration appeared in the Advocate, as well as in the Helena Democrat, which paper commenced publication shortly after the Advocate was started. A series of letters signed "Deavereaux" appeared in the Advocate. These letters were antagonistic to the administration of the Governor. He was a one-armed man and also infirm. Therefore, his nephew, Major Pope, felt called upon to defend him. Major Pope published a card in the Gazette containing some very strong and forcible language in regard to the writer of these articles. Mr. Charles Fenton Mercer Noland then revealed himself as their author, and replied to Major Pope in a manner calculated to have but one result. Major Pope immediately challenged him. It seems that the challenge was withheld for several days, and Major Pope sent a note to Mr. Noland in which he stated that if his challenge was not accepted, he would post him as a coward.
Major Noland accepted the challenge, and the principals, with their seconds and surgeons, by agreement, traveled to the plantation of Col. Benjamin Milam, in old Miller county on February 4, 1834. The whole party was entertained for the night on their arrival by Col. Milam, and grounds for the encounter were selected that evening, so as to have everything in readiness.
The place selected for the meeting was a strip of land at the head of Lost Prairie, which was then considered to belong to the Republic of Texas, but was afterwards claimed as a part of Miller county. Mr. Noland's second was Dr. Nimrod Menifee, of Conway county, and his surgeon Dr. William P. Reyburn. Major Elias Rector was to have acted for Major Pope, but he was taken sick while enroute on horseback. Major Thomas Scott, of Lafayette county acted as his second.
Arriving at the grounds, the principals were placed in position at ten paces, and loaded dueling pistols placed in their hands. Major Scott was chosen to give the "words," which he did as follows: "Gentlemen, are you ready? One, two, three, Fire!" At the word "two," both fired, and the ball from Mr. Noland's pistol took effect in Major Pope's left leg. Major Scott then asked Mr. Noland if he was satisfied. He replied, "I am in the hands of my friends." Dr. Menifee then asked Major Scott if his principal was satisfied. Major Pope, who was still prostrate on the ground, replied, "No, I must have another shot." With the assistance of his second, he arose to his feet, but before the second shot could be fired, he was seized with severe cramps in the wounded leg and again fell on the ground.
The bystanders, acting for both principals, among whom were Col. Milam, Judge Powell Ellis, of the Province of Texas, and Jacob Buzzard, seeing that Major Pope was physically unable to continue the conflict, interfered, to put a stop to the duel, whereupon Mr. Noland and his friends left the grounds. The surgeon probed Major Pope's wound, but did not succeed in removing the bullet. The sufferer remained at the residence of Col. Milam, in the neighborhood of the duel, for about two weeks, when he was conveyed to Little Rock, where he died, in great agony. June 17th, aged only 23 years.
When Noland returned to his home at Batesville, after the duel, he refused the congratulations of friends who crowded around him, with tears in his eyes and speechless sorrow, throwing up his hands to indicate admonishment. He is said to have always regretted the acts which led up to the encounter.
"History of the Arkansas Press for a Hundred Years and More" by Fred W. Allsopp (1922)
~ He was private secretary to his uncle, Governor John Pope (1770-1845), at the time of his duel in Arkansas.
~ The duel which led to his eventual death took place February 5, 1831.
--------------------------------------
Congress had passed an act donating to the Territory ten sections of land for the purpose of providing means with which to erect a state house. Robert Crittenden, secretary of the Territory, who had built a handsome residence on about a block of ground in Little Rock, proposed to exchange that residence for the ten sections of land. A bill accepting the offer was passed by the Legislature, but Governor Pope vetoed it, saying in his message that the land was worth vastly more than the block of ground and the Crittenden house. The governor's action served to stir up opposition to him, and articles reflecting on his administration appeared in the Advocate, as well as in the Helena Democrat, which paper commenced publication shortly after the Advocate was started. A series of letters signed "Deavereaux" appeared in the Advocate. These letters were antagonistic to the administration of the Governor. He was a one-armed man and also infirm. Therefore, his nephew, Major Pope, felt called upon to defend him. Major Pope published a card in the Gazette containing some very strong and forcible language in regard to the writer of these articles. Mr. Charles Fenton Mercer Noland then revealed himself as their author, and replied to Major Pope in a manner calculated to have but one result. Major Pope immediately challenged him. It seems that the challenge was withheld for several days, and Major Pope sent a note to Mr. Noland in which he stated that if his challenge was not accepted, he would post him as a coward.
Major Noland accepted the challenge, and the principals, with their seconds and surgeons, by agreement, traveled to the plantation of Col. Benjamin Milam, in old Miller county on February 4, 1834. The whole party was entertained for the night on their arrival by Col. Milam, and grounds for the encounter were selected that evening, so as to have everything in readiness.
The place selected for the meeting was a strip of land at the head of Lost Prairie, which was then considered to belong to the Republic of Texas, but was afterwards claimed as a part of Miller county. Mr. Noland's second was Dr. Nimrod Menifee, of Conway county, and his surgeon Dr. William P. Reyburn. Major Elias Rector was to have acted for Major Pope, but he was taken sick while enroute on horseback. Major Thomas Scott, of Lafayette county acted as his second.
Arriving at the grounds, the principals were placed in position at ten paces, and loaded dueling pistols placed in their hands. Major Scott was chosen to give the "words," which he did as follows: "Gentlemen, are you ready? One, two, three, Fire!" At the word "two," both fired, and the ball from Mr. Noland's pistol took effect in Major Pope's left leg. Major Scott then asked Mr. Noland if he was satisfied. He replied, "I am in the hands of my friends." Dr. Menifee then asked Major Scott if his principal was satisfied. Major Pope, who was still prostrate on the ground, replied, "No, I must have another shot." With the assistance of his second, he arose to his feet, but before the second shot could be fired, he was seized with severe cramps in the wounded leg and again fell on the ground.
The bystanders, acting for both principals, among whom were Col. Milam, Judge Powell Ellis, of the Province of Texas, and Jacob Buzzard, seeing that Major Pope was physically unable to continue the conflict, interfered, to put a stop to the duel, whereupon Mr. Noland and his friends left the grounds. The surgeon probed Major Pope's wound, but did not succeed in removing the bullet. The sufferer remained at the residence of Col. Milam, in the neighborhood of the duel, for about two weeks, when he was conveyed to Little Rock, where he died, in great agony. June 17th, aged only 23 years.
When Noland returned to his home at Batesville, after the duel, he refused the congratulations of friends who crowded around him, with tears in his eyes and speechless sorrow, throwing up his hands to indicate admonishment. He is said to have always regretted the acts which led up to the encounter.
"History of the Arkansas Press for a Hundred Years and More" by Fred W. Allsopp (1922)
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