The Cecil Whig., 1860-10-13
miscellaneous.

| BLADENSBrRG DUELIING GROUND Here,
in beautiful little grass plot, surrounded by
trees, forms, made after the image Of God,
come to insult Nature and defy Heaven. Iu
1914 Edward Hopkins was killed here in a
duel. This seemed to be the first of these
fashionable murders on this duel ling ground.
In 1919 a. 7. Mason, a United States SEN
ator from Virginia, fought with his sisters
husband, John McCarty here. McCarty
was averse to fighting. and thought there
was no necessity FOR it; but Mason would
fight. McCarty, named mnskets, loaded
with grape.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 the distance. Mason was killed instantly,
and McCarty. VIII, haG his cpar- bone
broken, sill lives with Mason's sister in
Georgetown. HI, hair turned white so soon
after the fight as to cause much comment. -
lie had since been solicited to act as second
III duel, but refused, in accordance with
pledged he made te 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 Ecads
within ten feet of each other; and, as each
supposed himself mortally WONDERED, each
fully and freely lo,gavc the other, still lying
on the ground. Decatur expired Immediate
ly. but Barron eventually recovered
In 1871 two strangers, named Loga and
Sega, appeared here. fought, and Sega was
instantly killed. The ntighbors only learned
this much Of their names from the markes on
their gloves lett on the ground. Lcga was
not hurt.
In 1872 Midslipman Locke was killed
here by clerk in the Treasury Department,
named Gibson. The latter was not hurt.
In 1926 Henry Clay fought Chs sccord
dacl) with john Randolph. just ACROSS the
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 Randolph of call the
evening before, on Mrs Clay, alluded to the
quiet sleep Of her child and the rcpose Of the
mother. Randolph quicely replied:
:" shall do nothing to disturb the sleep Of
the child or the rcpose of The mother'
The late Gen. Jessup was Clay's second
When Randol ph fired, he remarked
" do not shoot at you, Mr. Cay,' and
eXtenlcd his hand, advanced toward Clay,
who rushed to meet him. Randolph showed
Clay where his ball struck his coat and said
tocetiously - MIR. Clay, you owe me a coat"
Clay replied
" Thank God the debt is no greater -
They were friends ever after
In 1872 Martin was killed by Carr
Their first names arc not remembered. They
were from he South.
In 1888 Mr.. Key son of Frank Key, and
brother to Barton Key, Of Slckles notorcty,
met Mr.. Sherborn, and exchanged shot.
when Sherborn said
Mr. Key have no desire to Kill YOU"
" No matter, said Key, " came to kill
you"
g Very well, then" said Sher5orn, "I will
kill you.' And he did.
In 1883 W. }. Graves, of Kentucky, assum-
ing the quarrel of James Watson Webb with
Jonathan Cillcy, Of Maine, selected this place
for Cillcy's murder: but the parties learning
that Webb, with two friends, jackson and
Merrell, were armed and in pursuit, for the
purpose Of asSaSsinating Cillcy. moved toward
the river, and nearer the city. Their pursucrs
moved toward the river, but missed the parties
and then returned to the city, to which they
were soon followed by Graves and the corpse
Of Cllley.
In 1915 lawyer named Jones fought with
and killed Dr. johnson.
In 1851 II. A Iloole and A. J. Dallas had
a hostile meeting here. Dallas was Shot in
the shoulder, hut recovered.
In 1852 Daniel and johnson, two Richmond
Editors, held hanlcss set-to here, which
terminated in coffee.