, 1860-09-21
The BIandsnsburg Duellng Ground.

Here, in n beautiful little grass plot sur
rounded by trees, forms made after the i'm
age Of God come to insult Nature and defy
Heaven. In 1914 Edward Hopkins was
killed here in a duel. This seemd to have
been tue FIRST Of these fashionable murders
on this dueling ground
In 1919, A. T. Mason, q United States
Senator, fought with his sisters husband,
John McCarty here. McCarty was aVerse
10 fighting, and thought there was no ne
cessity for il but Mason would fight.
McCarty named muskets loaded with grape
shot, and so near together that they would
hit heads il they fell on their faces. This
was changed by the seconds to loading
with bullets, and taking twelve feet as the
distance Mason was killed Instantly, and
McCarty, who had bis collar.bone broken,
still lives with Mason's sister in George
town. His hair turned white so soon after
the duelas to cause much comment. He
has since been solicited to act as second in
a duel, but refused, in accordance with a
pledge he made to his wife soon after kill
ing her brother.
In 1920, Commodore Decatur was killed
In a duel here by Commodore Barron. Att
the first Gre both fell forward, with their
heads within ten feet of each other aud, |
as each supposed himself mortally wounded,
each fully and freely forgave the other, still
lying on the ground.
Decatur expired Immediately, but Bar
ron eventually recovered.
In 1921, two strangers named Lega and
Sega appeared here, fought, aud Sega was
instantly killed. The neighbors only learn
cd this much Of their names from the marks
on their gloves, left on the ground. Legn
was not burt.
In 1922, Midshipman Locke was killed
here by q clerk Of the Treasury Depart
ment, named Gibson. The latter was not
hurt.
In 1926, Henry Clay fought (his second
duel) with John Randolph, just across the
Potomac, as Randolph preferred to die, III
at all, on Virginia soil. He received Clay's
shot, and then fred into the air. This
was in accordance with declaration made
TO Mr.. Benton, who spoke to Randolph of
a call, the evening before, on Mrs. Clay,
and alluded to the quiet sleep Of her child
and the repose Of the mother. Randolph
quickly replied
" l shall do nothing to disturb the sleep
Of the child or the respose Of the mother"
General Jessup was Clay's second.
When Randolph fred he remarked
"I do not shoot at you, Mr. Clay" and
extending his hand, advanced toward Clay,
who rushed to meet him. Randolph show
ed Clay where bis ball struck his coat, and
said, facetiously; Mr. Clay, you owe me
a coat"
Clay replied "Thank God tho debt is
90 greater p They we're friends ever after.
In 1882, Martin was killed by Carr
Their FIRST names are not remembered
They were from the South.
In 1888, Mr.. Key, son of Frank Key,
and brother Of Barton Key, of Sickles no.
toriety, met Mr.. Sherborn, and exchanged
shot, when Sherborn said /:
Mr., Key, have no desire TO kill you"
No matter" said Key. l came to kill
you"
Very we'll, then" said Sherborn," al
will now kill you" And he did.
Ah AOoog " u OIANCc, Vi hGnLutkY.
assuming the quarrel of James Watson
Webb with Jonathan Cilley, of Maine, Sc.
ected this place for Cilley's murder but
the parties learning that Webb, with two
friends, Jackson and Merrill, were armed
and in pursuit, for the purpose of assassin.
ating Cilley, moved toward the river, and
nearer the city. Their pursuers moved to-
ward the river, but missed the parties, and
then returned to the city, to which they
were soon followed by Graves and the
corpse Of Cilley.
ln lS45, lawyer named Jones fought
with aud killed Dr. johnson.
In 1851, r. A. Hoole and A. ]. Dallas
had a hostile meeting here. Dallas was
shot in the shoulder, but recovered.
In 1852, Daniel and johnson, two Rich.
mond editors, held harmless set-to here,
WHICH terminated in coffee.
In 1858, Dags and Ridgeway fought
here; Ridgeway allowed bis antagonist TO
hre without returning the shot.
bowers Of Attorney for the transfer Of volunteer