JUDGES QUARREL AT CARD TABLE:
Judge Pope, upon the authority of John R. Homer Scott, the illustrious son of Andrew Scott, has given us as a reason for the unfortunate animosity which sprang up between Judges Selden and Scott, the statement that in a game of cards Selden used what at the most can only be called rude language to the partner of Judge Scott. Scott and his partner seemed to have been winning, and Scott's partner, an unnamed lady of Little Rock, triumphantly claimed superiority in words addressed to Judge Selden. It is said that Judge Selden replied, 'That is not so,' or 'That is not true,' or words to that effect. The lady took offense and showed it by a resort to tears. This appealed to her partner, Judge Scott, who at once demanded of Judge Selden that he apologize to the lady he had offended. Judge Selden was rude, and, as a Virginia gentleman, should have apologized at once without the request of Judge Scott, and should have done it gracefully and freely.

But this little act of rudeness was no excuse for what followed. Judges Selden and Scott were representatives of the highest court in the land, and were expected to set the highest example of good citizenship. The laws forbade dueling and this little incident was no excuse for two eminent judges to so far forget themselves as to resort to a duel to settle an insignificant dispute. The Little Rock Gazette of that time seems to indicate that there were other causes than the one already narrated, but does not state them. Selden did not apologize, and Scott did not challenge him at once. A stiffness grew up between them, and for many months they sat upon the bench together, side by side with Judge Johnson, without speaking to each other. It was thought that the men were antagonistic in temper and that they would never agree, and although a duel was hinted at in the earlier stages of the coolness, no such calamity was expected later on, as time had removed both men so far from the incident.

JUDGE KILLS ASSOCIATE IN DUEL:
Early in the year 1824 Judge Scott challenged Judge Selden to fight a duel, the meeting place being opposite the mouth of White River in Mississippi. Dr. Nimrod Menifee was the second of Judge Scott and surgeon for both parties, and James Woodson Bates, second for Judge Selden. Pistols were used and the distance was ten steps. Judge Selden fell at the first fire, and Scott escaped uninjured. No one regretted the affair more than Judge Scott, a man whose life both before and after was in every respect above all reproach. The act is chargeable first to the youth of the parties and the prevailing sentiment at that time that the duel was the only honorable way for gentlemen to settle their disputes.

DUEL PREVENTED SCOTT'S CONFIRMATION:
Scott's second term expired in 1827, and he was nominated by the president of the United States for a third term. The friends of Judge Selden, however, succeeded in the Senate of the United States in having his appointment not confirmed. The bar of Little Rock, at a public meeting shortly after this act of the Senate, passed a series of resolutions condemning the Senate of the United States for its action and commending Judge Andrew Scott for his ability, cleanness and character. He was designated as the leading judge of the Superior Court of Arkansas. This terminated his connection with the Superior Court bench, but he was at once appointed by Governor Izard's judge of the First Circuit Court of the territory. He held this position until 1831, when he retired to his plantation at Scotia, in Pope County. He represented Johnson and Pope counties in the Constitutional Convention of 1836, and was a member of the Territorial House of Representatives from Pope County in 1831. He acquired a fortune in private life and was at all times the most distinguished citizen of Pope County. His monument in the cemetery at Russellville is one of the finest creations of art, an honor to him and to his distinguished son, John R. Homer Scott, who erected it. The greatest judge on the superior court bench from 1819 to 1827 was Judge Andrew Scott.

The above info is from Pioneers and Makers of Arkansas, Josiah Hazen Shinn, 1908.

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