The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1860-08-31
The B'adensburg Duelling Ground.

Tho Philadelphia Ledger gives some
"reminiscences OF this spot, which arc at
once interesting and sad. Hcre, upon tho
duelling ground in beautiful little grass
plat, surrounded by trees, forms. made after
tho image OF God, como to insult Nature
and defy Heaven.
In 1914, Edward Hopkins was killed. hore
in duel. This seems TO be the first fash
ion.ble murder Of which this place was the
theatre.
In 1919, A. T Mason, a United States
| Senator from Virginia, fought with his
sisters husband, John McCarty, bere.-
McCarty was averso to fghtng,an thought
thoro wns no necessity for il; but Mason
would hght. McCarty named muskets,
loaded with bucks shot, and so near together
that they would hit heads if they fell on
their faces. This was changed by the
seconds to loading with bullets and taking
twelve feet as tho distance. Mason was
collar bone broken, still lives with Mason's
sister in Georgetown. His hair turned
whito so soon after the fight as to cause
much comment. He has since been solicited
10 act rs second in a duel, but refused, in
accordance with pledge he made to his
, wife soon after killing her brother.
I In 1920, Commodore Decatur was killed
| in duel hero by Commodore Barron. At
tho first fire both fell foi ward, with their
heads within ton feet of each other; and. as
each supposed himsolf mortally wounded,
each fully and freely forgave the tho other,
! still lying on tho ground.
| Decatur expired Immediately, but Barron
eventually recovered.
In 1921, two strangers, named Lega and
| Sega appeared here, fought, and Sega was
instantly killded. Tho neighbors Only
! learned this much of their names from the
marks on their gloves left on tho ground
Lega was not hurt.
In 1922 Mrdshfpuran Locke was killed.
hero by clerk of the Treasury Department
named Gibson. The latter was not hurt.
In 1926 Horny Clay fought (his second
dueD with John Randolph, just across the
Potomac. as Randolph preferred to die, if at
all, on Virginia soil. lie received CIay's
shot, and then frcd into tho air. This was
in accordance with a declaration made to
Mr.. Benton, who spoke to Randolph of a
call tho cvcring before on Mrs. Clay, and
alluded to the quiet sloop of her child and
the roposo of the mother. Randolph
quickly rcpiicd:
Il shall do nothing to disturb the sleep OF
the child or the repose of the mother"
| UencTal J6ssup, WnO5o IuUcral attCnueu
last week. was CLAWS second.
When Mr.. Randolph fred he remarked I:
~ do not shoot at you, MIR. Clay and
extending his hand, advanced toward Clay,
who rushed TO meot him. Randolph showed
Clay where his ball struck his coat, and said.
facetiously: "Mr. Clay, you Owe me coat. >
| Clay replied:
"Thank God the debt is no greater ~
| They were friends ever after.
In | 832, Martin was killed by Carr
Thor first names are not remembered.
Tnoy wero from the South.
In 1888, Mr.. Koy. son Of Frank Key, aud
brother to Barton Key, of Sickles notorioty,
met Mr.. Sherborn, aud exchanged a shot,
when Sherborn said:
"Mr. Koy, nave no desire to kill you"
mo matter" said Key, II camo to kill
you"
Very we'll, then," said Sherborn, Il will
kill vou." And no did
Ia 1888, w. j. Graves, of Kentucky. as
snming tho quarrel of Jamos Watson Webb
with jonathan CilIey, of Maine, selected
this place for Cilloy's murder: but tho par
! tios, learning that Webb, with two friends.
Jackson and Merrel, woro armed and in
pursuit, for the purpose of assassinating
Cilley. moved toward tho river, aud nearer
the city. THOR pursuers moved toward the
river, but missed the parties. and rhOn re-
turned to the city, to which they were soon
followed by Graves and the corpse Of Cilley
In l845. a lawyer, named Jones, fought
with and killed DR.. johnson.
In 1851. n. A. IIoole and A J. Dallas had
hostile meeting here. Dallas was shot in
tho shoulder but recovered.
In 1852, Daniel and Johnson, two Rich
mond editors. held harmless set TO here,
which terminated in coffee.
In 1853, Davis and Ridgeway fought here;
Ridgeway allowed his antagonist to fire
without returning the shot.
low -Ha that tn tha hest of his mower