On May 3, 1856 one of the last duels to occur in the south stemming from a political disagreement happened not far from here in Fair Bluff. Dr. William Crawford Willkings and Joseph H. Flanner both from Wilmington had a hostile argument over a speech that Dr. Willkings gave the Wednesday evening prior at the Democratic Meeting that took place at the Wilmington Court House. Dr. Willkings challenged Mr. Flanner to a duel with pistols at ten paces. After the first round of fire no settlement could be reached between the two of them. Pistols were reloaded and a second round was fired. Mr. Flanner made the declaration that he did not desire to take the life of his opponent and that he hoped a fair and honorable settlement could be made. This was not suitable for Dr. Willkings and a third round was ordered and pistols were reloaded once again. The third shot proved to be fatal as Dr. Willkings received a ball to his lungs and died as a result on the field. Dr. Willkings was brought back to Wilmington to be prepared for burial. It was mentioned in his obituary that his funeral procession was seen “by the largest and most deeply affected concourse of people that has ever been seen in Wilmington”.
A large obelisk was erected in his memory bearing the affection of its citizens and by the Democratic Association; unfortunately they misspelled his last name.