Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1860-08-29
Pluck and the Pistol The Bladensburg
Duelling Ground.

Duelling Ground,
Here, is beautiful little grass plot sura
rounded by trees forms, made after the
image of God, come to insult Nature and
defy Heaven. In ISil, Edward Hopkins
vas killed here in duel. This seemed
to be the first of three fashionable mur,
ders on this duelling ground.
In 1919, A. II. Mason, United States
Senator from Virginia, fought with his sis.
ter's husband, John McCarty, here. Nc,
Carty was averse to fighting and thought
there was no necessity for il but Mason
would fight. McCarty named muskots,
loaded with grape shot. and so near TO
gether 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 the distance. Ma
son was killed instantly, and McCarty,
who had his collar bone broken, still lives
with Mason's sister in Georgetown. His
hair turned white soon after the fight
as to cause much comment. He has since
been sOlicated to act as second in duel
but refused, in accordance with a pledge
he made TO his wife soon after killing her
| brother.
In 1920 COmmodore Decatur was killed
in duel here by Commodore Barron
At the first fire both fell forward, with
their heads within ten feet Of each sup
posed himself himself mortally wounded,
each fully and freely forgaye 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, and Sega was
instantly killed. The neighbors only
learned this much of their names from
the marks on their gloves left on the
ground. Lega was not hurt.
In 1926, Henry Clay fought (his second
duel with John Randolph Just across tho
Potomac, as Randolph preferred to die,
if at all, on Virginia soil He received
Clay's shot, and then fired into the air.
This was in accordance with declaration
made to Mr.. Benton, who spoke to Ran
dolph Of 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
81 shall do nothing to disturb the sleep
Of the child or the repose of the moth
er."
General Jessup, whose funeral atten .
ded last week, was Clay's second.
Whom Randolph fired be remark
ed
81 do not shoot at you, Mr.. Clay" and
extending his hand, advanced toward
Clay, who rushed to meet him. Randolph
showed Clay where his ball struck MS
coat, and facetiously said "Mr. Clay, you
owe me coat"
Clay replied:
"Thank God the debt is no greater p
They were 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 to Barton Key, of Sickles no,
toriety. met Mr.. Sherborn, and exchanged
a shot, when Sherborn said:
Mr. Key, have no desire to kill
you."
"No matter" said Key, 81 came to kill
you"
Every well, tnon," said Sherborn, az
will kill you" And he did.
In 1888, w. J. Graves, of Kentucky, rs.
suming the quarre, of Jas. Watson Webt
with Jonathan Cilley, of Maine selected
IHlS pace loI Olfleys murder; but the
parties learning that Webb, with two
friends, Jackson and Merrell, were armed
and in pursuit, for the purpose orassassin
ating Cilloy, moved toward the river, anG
nearer the city. Their pursuers moved
toward the river, but missed the parties
and then returned to the city, to which
they We're soon followed by Graves anG
the corpse of Cilley.
In 1915, o lawyer. named Jones, fought
with and killed DR.. johnson.
In 1851, r. A, Hoole and A. J. Dalla.
was shot in the shoulder, but recover.
ed.
In 1852, Daniel and Johnson, two Rich
mond editors, held harmless set to here
which terminated in coffee.
In 1858, Davis and Ridgeway Tough
here; Bidgeway allowed his antagonist tc
fire without returning the shot.