"Ken McCutchan is a life-long resident of Vanderburgh County, Indiana, descended from pioneer families that entered the area in the early 1800s. He is veteran of WWII, having served with Army Corps of Engineers in both North Africa and Europe. He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English Composition and Modern Language from the University of Evansville, a certificate in French Language and Culture from the Sorbonne in Paris, and an Honorary Doctor of Letters Degree from the University of Southern Indiana. His other books include: The Adventures of Isaac Knight, From then Til Now, Saundersville, An English Settlement, At The Bend in the River, and Dearest Lizzie. Mr. McCutchan's books may be purchased at Willard Library in Evansville, IN.

A Rough Cure for Rheumatism   

by Kenneth P. McCutchan

Robert Triplett was an important man in the early development of Owensboro, Ky. Triplett came to the Yellow Banks (as the town was originally called) about 1820 and engaged in many commercial ventures that made him a lot of money.

He dealt extensively in real estate and in coal mining. About 1826, he set up a small railroad, probably the first in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, which ran three-quarters of a mile to carry coal from his Bonharbor Hills mine to the Ohio River, where it was sold to passing steamboats. He also owned a steam mill and distillery.

In February 1829, Triplett learned his distiller, a man named Thompson, had been cheating him. An altercation followed that led to a fist fight. The distiller was a powerful man, more than 6 feet tall, and Triplett would have received a sound drubbing had his brother-in-law, Dr. Pegram, had not interceded.

But that was not the end of the quarrel.

Many harsh words were spoken and lawsuits threatened until, at last, Thompson challenged Triplett to a duel.

The challenge was accepted, and Triplett sent an emissary to Hardinsburg, Ky., to purchase a pair of pistols that reputedly were the best to be had, only to find that Thompson had gone there before and had already acquired them.

One of Triplett’s friends then jumped on a steamboat and went to New Madrid, Mo., where he purchased a fine pair of pistols said to have been used by Aaron Burr when he met Alexander Hamilton.

The day of the duel arrived, and the foes, each with two seconds, met at a designated site on the Indiana side of the Ohio River at 11 a.m.

Their seconds read the rules. They were to stand back-to-back, walk ten paces, and at the count of three, turn and fire.

Thompson objected to standing back-to-back because he said he had been suffering from rheumatism, which would make it difficult to turn quickly. So that condition was waived; it was agreed that the men would take position face-to-face. The victory would then fall to the man who was the quickest draw.

Triplett was an excellent marksman, and he felt he could put a ball where he pleased.

Unfortunately for Thompson, there was very visible grease spot on his vest, which Triplett perceived as a perfect target.

When all was ready, the signal to fire was given, and both guns went off simultaneously.

For what seemed a long, long time, both men stood facing each other with their smoking pistols in their hands. Then a dark scowl passed over Thompson’s face as he dropped to the ground and murmured, “I am a dead man.”

Triplett’s shot had indeed struck the grease spot, and the ball had entered just under his right nipple and passed through his body.

It was thought he could not possibly live for 24 hours, but he did, and finally completely recovered.

Ultimately the two men laid aside their differences and finally became good friends.

A peculiar thing about the whole affair was that after the duel, Thompson never again suffered from rheumatism. He later laughingly told Triplett that he thought him to be a first-rate surgeon, but a rather rough operator.