The Mountain Eagle
WHITESBURG WEATHER

Destined for a violent death



This picture depicts the 1829 duel between Robert Triplett and Philip Thompson.

This picture depicts the 1829 duel between Robert Triplett and Philip Thompson.

Robert Triplett’s neighbor in the western Kentucky town of Owensboro couldn’t understand his preoccupation with death in February of 1829. He knew Triplett was wealthy and in robust health. The 33-year-old, Virginia-born lawyer drew up his will and made other “final arrangements.” He hadn’t told him why he was so dour and concerned with possible death. It was because he had an appointment with death — a pending duel.

When his friends arrived on the morning of the duel with Mr. Philip Thompson, February 10, 1829, they asked how he felt.

“Strange, very strange,” he answered. “It hasn’t grasped me. Although I’m facing a duel, facing possible death, things seem much like any other day. I’m sure I’ll feel much different when I face Mr. Thompson.”

Triplett had moved to Kentucky and did legal work on land speculations and became very rich. He bought into coal and timberland and was part-owner of a popular distillery.

Earlier that month he accused his distillery employee of dishonesty. The distiller reacted by knocking him down. A scuffle ensued before they were separated. Upset, Triplett closed the doors on the distillery and had the locks changed.

Triplett agreed to arbitration when his employee threatened to sue. Philip Thompson, a smallish attorney who walked with a noticeable limp, represented the distiller. Soon Triplett and Thompson were at odds and when the latter accused Triplett of chicanery he seethed in anger.

“You accuse me of dishonesty,” Triplett stated. “Is that what you meant to say?”

“I am responsible for my words,” Thompson answered tersely.

Triplett then approached Thompson in anger with his cane held high before cooler heads prevailed.

“I’ll not hit a crippled man, nor will I challenge you,” the irate Triplett said. “But I will defend myself if I must. I hate dueling but I will accept your challenge.”

Later that day the lame Thompson drafted a note of challenge and sent it to Triplett who promptly accepted the challenge and countered with the terms; “pistols at 10 paces back to back, the second to count off one, two, three, fire and the parties to whirl on three and fire on command.”

Thompson objected to standing back-to-back. Although he didn’t offer Triplett an explanation, he felt his handicap put him at a disadvantage should he have to “whirl and fire.”

“Then we’ll face each other with our weapons at our side,” Triplett replied.

It was agreed and they decided to remain mum over the impending duel so as to avoid possible arrest and incarceration. They would meet on the opposite bank of the Ohio River in Indiana.

Thompson was late in arriving for the duel so Triplett used the time to practice, using pistols that Aaron Burr had used in killing Alexander Hamilton in a famous duel.

The two combatants did not acknowledge each other after Thompson finally arrived but the seconds for each gathered and talked in low tones so as not to be heard. The grounds were selected and the weapons were readied and loaded.

“Bam, bam,” the pistols fired into the sky as the seconds tested their working condition.

“Are you gentlemen ready?” one of the seconds asked.

“No” Triplett answered. “I must see if my nerves are steady.”

He took one of the pistols and fired at a piece of wood in a snowbank 150 feet away.

Soon the two men faced each other from 30 feet and when the word came to fire, the weapons discharged in unison. Neither man moved.

The seconds thought neither had been hit but then Thompson stumbled forward and clutched his chest.

“I am a dead man,” he mumbled as he slumped to his knees.

A doctor caught him before he fell and opened his shirt where he found the ball-shot had entered Thompson at the right breast and passed through his body.

“It is hopeless,” the surgeon said. “He will die within hours.”

Thompson was rowed back across the Ohio River and cared for in his home. Day after day passed and Thompson hung on to life. After a few weeks, he began to regain strength.

After a few months, he sent word to his nemesis that he harbored no further hard feelings and wanted to patch their differences.

“I want to thank you Mr. Triplett,” Thompson said. “You did with a ball-shot what doctors and hospitals could not do. You have cured me of my lameness and my rheumatism that has plagued me for 10 years. You sir, are a good surgeon but quite severe with your remedy.”

Triplett, who won the duel, lived for another 20 years. Thompson, a man who was often angry, attacked a man on the streets of Owensboro seven years later and was slain. Although the man who killed him did so in self-defense, he remained despondent with heavy remorse and died the following year.

Jadon Gibson is a freelance writer from Harrogate, Tennessee. His writings are both historic and nostalgic in nature. He wishes to thank Lincoln Memorial University, Alice Lloyd College, and the Museum of Appalachia for their assistance.

©2021 JADON GIBSON

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