F. X. Aubrey, the other party to the quarrel, was a French Canadian, of great pluck and energy, and had made a reputation on a wager in 1852, riding from Santa Fe to Independence, Mo., in a few hours over eight days. The next year he wagered $1,000 he could go the same distance in less than eight days. His bet was accepted and Aubrey covered the distance in less than five days. Following these rides he engaged in the freighting business over the plains and he and Major Weightman became warm personal friends. Aubrey later made a trip to California, taking a herd of sheep, which he sold at a fine profit. It was upon his return from this trip that he and Weightman had their famous quarrel. The fairest account of this incident appeared in the _Missouri Republican_, September 28, 1854, which was in the form of a communication from a correspondent of that paper, and was as follows: “THE CASE OF MAJOR WEIGHTMAN. “Mr. Editor: The deplorable event by which F. X. Aubrey lost his life and which deprived the West of one of its most energetic and able pioneers, will not be passed lightly over. The name of Mr. Aubrey had become too closely identified with all that is gallant, preserving, and—in a western sense, at least—brave and chivalrous, that his memory and his sudden death should not awaken painful emotions among all those to whom his name had become a household word; emotions too painful to expect that, under his influence, full justice would be done to both parties concerned. When, therefore, an opportunity is afforded by which the facts, as nearly as we can approach them, may be investigated, it would seem injustice to withhold these facts from the public. “Though, perhaps, less historically known (if the expression be permitted) than Mr. Aubrey, Major Weightman has peculiar claims upon the citizens of Missouri, and especially of St. Louis, for demanding full and impartial justice in this behalf. Without wishing to anticipate the judgment of your readers, or at all commenting upon the evidence which will be found below, your correspondent, in view of the grave charge in which Major Weightman is involved, and the melancholy importance of the event, deems it his duty, notwithstanding, here to state what may be known to most of your readers, that Major Weightman, for years, formerly, was a resident of St. Louis, beloved and respected, almost without any exception, by all with whom he came in contact.