Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-08-14
lQlOrtester Daily spp,



There are many "reminiscences of this spot
which are at once interesting and sad Here
upon tile dueling ground, in a beautiful little
grass plot, surrounded by trees, FORMS made
after the image Of God, come to insult nature
and defy heaven.
In 1914, Edward Hopkins was killed here
in duel. This seems to be the first fashion.
able murder Of which this place was the the
alter.
In 1919, A. 7. Mason, a United States SEN
ator from Virginia, fought with his sisters
husband, john McCarty, here. McCarty was
:. ayerse to fighting, and thought there was no
necessity for it; but Mason would fight.
McCarty named muskets, loaded with crane
shot, and SO near together that they would hit
heads II they fell on their faces This was
changed by the seconds to loading with bull
lets and taking twelve feet as the distance
Mason was killed instantly, and McCartv, who
had his collar bone broken, still lives with
Mason's sister in Georgetown. His hair turn.
ed white SO soon after the fight as to cause
much comment He has since been solicited
to act as second in duel but refused, in ac-
cordanee with pledge he made to his wife
soon after killing her brother
In 1920, Commodore Decatur was killed in
a duel here by Commodore Barron. AT the
first fire both fell forward with their heads
within ten feet OF each other; and, as each
supposed himself MORALLY wounded each
fully and freely torgave the other, still lying
on the ground. Decatur expired immediately,
but Barron eventually recovered
In 1871, two strangers, named Lega and
Sega appeared here, fought, and Sega was in
stantly killed. The neigIbors only learned
this much of their names from the marks on
their gloves left on the ground. Lega was not
hurt.
In 7 1.
by a clerk OF the treasury department 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, if at all, on Vir.
gina soil, He received Clay's shot and then
fired into the air. This was in accordance with
a declaration made to Mr. Benton, who spoke
TO Randolph Of call the evening before on
Mrs. Clay, and alluded to the quiet sleep of
her child and the repose of the mother Ran
dolph quickly replied:
81 shall do nothing to disturb the sleep of
the child Or the repose of the MOTHER
General Jessup, whose funeral | attended
last week. was Clay IS second.
When Mr.. Randolph fired, lie remarked
81 do not shoot at you, Mr.. Clay" and ex-
tending his hand, advanced toward Clay,
who rushed to meet him. Randolph showed
Clay where his ball struck his coat, and said,
tacetiously: "Nlr. Clay, you owe me a coat"
Clay replied:
"Thank God the debt is no greater T' They
were friends ever after
In 1882, Martin was killed by Carr Their
first names are not mentioned. They were
from the south.
In 1888, Mr.. Key, son of Frank Key, and
brother to z. Barton Key, Of Sickles notorie-
ty, met Mr.. SherbOrn and exchanged a shot,
when Sherborn said -
"Mr, Key, | have no desire to kill you"
"No NATTER" said Key, 81 came to kill
you"
every well, then" said Sherborn, 81 will
kill you" And he did.
In 1898, w. j. Graves of Kentucky, assum,
ing the quarrel OF James Watson Webb with
jonathan Ciley of Maine, selected this place
for Cilley's murder; but the parties learning
that Webb, with two friends, jackson and
Merrell, were armed and in pursuit, for the
purpose of asSassinating CiIley moved toward
the river and nearer the city Their pursuers
moved toward the river but missed the par
they were soon followed by Graves and the
corpse of Cilley.
In 1915, lawyer named Jones fought with
and killed a Dr. johnson.
In 1851, II. A. Hoole and A. j. Dallas had
hostile meeting here. Dallas was shot in the
shoulder, but recovered.
In 1852, Daniel and johnson, two Richmond
editors, held harmless set-to here, which ter.
minated in coffee.
In 1858, Davis and Ridgeway fought here;
Ridgeway allowed his antagonist to fire with
out returning the shot.