The Site Of One Of The Last Legal Duels On American Soil, 5. Editorial Photo

California Senator David Broderick and former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of California David Terry had been good friends for a long time, but one big and very important issue between them could only be settled by the death of one, or the other. nWhile Broderick was a staunch abolitionist, Terry was strongly in favor of slavery. Finally, the matter could only be settled by the men in a duel. Because of San Francisco laws at the time, the match had to be held just out side of the city`s limit. It was finally held on September 13, 1859 with Broderick falling.nWith the immense popularity of Broderick, his funeral finally helped push for the end of legalized dueling altogether.nAlthough the site is now a California State Historic Landmark, because the cities boundaries grew and expanded since that time, it is also now in peoples backyards, so common curtesy and respect must be given if coming out for a visit.