Duel
@ Dawn
One might surmise
that the title refers to the events that took place on July 11,
1804 in Weehawken, New Jersey. Dueling was at times used as a
means of settling questions of honor. This story involves
Alexander Hamilton (above left, and on our $10 bill), the first
U.S. Secretary of the Treasury (in office 1789-1795) and Aaron
Burr, the sitting U.S. Vice President (under Thomas
Jefferson). The history involved a long-standing political
and personal conflict, filled with intrigue on both sides.
Aaron Burr evidently leaked a writing of political opinion by
Hamilton that was meant to remain private. Hamilton used his
influence to thwart Burr's chances to become the third U.S.
President, and also the Governor of New York. Burr challenged
him to a duel, which Hamilton felt he must accept, and so it was
Hamilton who chose the dueling pistols that were used.
Dueling was illegal in many places at the time, but a duel often
ended in a settlement of differences, without death. So it
was a shock when Burr's shot mortally wounded Hamilton, who died
the following day. The Weehawken Historical Comission held
a Re-enactment
in 2004, with descendants of
both families participating.
However,
the history above is just background material. The
inspiration for this cache began with a log written for the
"Presidents Series: John Adams" cache (by The Champ
and Honolulululu), involving two local well-known and respected
cachers, who both take their caching seriously 
. The owners had published only 2 of
the series of 44 at the time of the log, but trailpuppy made a bold (tongue in
cheek) claim. It became
a matter of honor, so geojammers responded with the following
challenge...
October 20 by trailpuppy
Grabbed the FTF
on this one at about 12:30pm, so unfortunately I didn't get a
chance to say hi to
Geojammers(who apparently I've thoroughly confused with my
"Early-Pleistocene Epoch" log date in the logbook). So much for my
DrunkenApe attempt at humor.
Anyway, this cache is very nicely done, and well-stocked
too. So much so in fact, that I decided to hunt the remaining
unpublished ones since they're all hidden in the same valley. Found
all of them, including #44 (I can't believe you think "he's" going
to win!). Thanks for the FTF prize!
October 21 by geojammers
Ok then, I must now concede
the idea that I may not have grabbed the first to find and that I
must be STF on this cache since Trailpuppy apparently made it here
first (before the cache was even published).
I can't wait until the Alexander Hamilton
cache officially comes out (since I am sure after The Presidents
caches are finished, TheChamp & Honolulululu will be publishing
The United States Treasurers Series 
). Since
Trailpuppy apparently has already found all the Presidents Caches,
I am sure he will be the first to find all the Treasurer's caches
first too! Tell you what Trailpuppy, when Hamilton's cache is
published I challenge you to a duel at his cache site! Since you
will have already found it, you take on the role of Alexander
Hamilton and I will take on the role of Aaron Burr (Vice President
under Thomas Jefferson). Let's say it's, oh I don't know -
1804 !
For
some reason I really like my odds on this challenge.
The gauntlet is down. I can see it now. At the site of
the imaginary "Alexander Hamilton" cache, at dawn, shadows swirling
with the morning mists.....the two cachers stand back to back, each
with his GPSr in hand. Will history repeat itself?
Note: This cache will remain, in memory of
trailpuppy.