Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1860-09-27
The Bladensburg Dueling Ground.

Here, in beautiful little grass plot, sur
rounded 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 seemed to
be the first of these fashionable murders on
this dueling ground.
In 1919, A. T. Mason, United States
Senator from Virginia, fought with his Sis
ter's husband, John McCarty, here. Nc
Carly, was averse to fighting, and thought
there was no necessity for it; but Mason
would fight. McCarty named muskets,
loaded with grape-shot, and SO near together
that they would hit heads if they fell on
their faces This was changed by the Sc
conds to loading with bullets, and taking
twelve feet as the distance. Mason was
killed instantly, and McCarty, who had his
collar-bone broken, still lives with Mason's
sister in Georgetown. His hair turned
white so soon after the fight as to cause
much comment. He has since been solicit
ed to act as second in a duel, but refused,
in accordance with 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 other and, as
each supposed himself mortally wounded,
each fully and freely forgave the other, still
lying on the ground.
Decatur expired Immediately, but Barron
eventually recovered.
In 1921, two strangers, named Lega and
Sega, appeared here, fought. and Sega was
instantly killed. The neighbors only learn
ed this much of their names from the marks
on their gloves left on the ground. Lega
was not hurt
In 1922, Midshipman Locke was killed
here by clerk in the Treasury Department,
named Gibson. The latter was not hurt.
In 1926, Henry Clay fought (his second
dueD with John Randolph, just across the
Potomac, as Randolph preferred to die, if at
all, on Virginia soil. He received Clay
shot, and then fired 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 tpother. Randolph quick
ly replied:
Il shall do nothing to disturb the sleep
Of the child or the repose Of the mother
General Jessup, whose funeral | attended
When Randolph fired, he remarked:
Il do not shoot at you, Mr.. Clay" and
extended his hand, advanced toward Clay,
who rushed to meet him. Randolph showed
Clay where his ball struck his coat and said
facetiously: :'Mr. Clay, you owe me a
coat"
Clay replied
"Thank God the debt is no greatern n
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 noto-
riety, met Mr.. Sherborn and exchanged a
shot when Sherborn said:
"Mr Key, I have no desire to kill you :"
''No matter" said Key, Il came to kill
you"
Every we'll, then," said Sherborn, Il
will kill you" And he did.
In 1888, W. j. Graves, Of Kentucky,
assuming the quarrel of James Watson
Webb, with Jonathan Cilley, of Maine,
selected this place for Cilley's murder; but
the parties learning that Webb, with two
friends, jackson and Merrcll, were armed
and in pursuit, for the purpose Of assassina-
ting 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-
In 1915, lawyer named Jones, fought
with and killed Dr. johnson.
In 1851, R. A. Hoole and A. j. Dallas
had 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