The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1860-08-24
SAINT PAUL, FRIDAY, AUGUST "A, 1860
The BIadensburgh Duelling Ground.

The BIadensburgh Duelling Ground.
The Philadelphia Ledger gives some re-
miniscences of this spot, which are at once
interesting and sad Here, upon the duelling
ground, in beautiful little grass plot, sur
rounded by trees, forms made after the image
OF God, come to insult Nature and defy
Heaven.
In 1919, Edward Hopkins was killed
here in duel. This seems to be the first
fashionable murder of which this place was
the theatre.
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 their seconds
to loading with bullets and taking twelve
feet as the distance. Mason was killed in.
stantly, and McCarty, who had his collar
bone broken, still lives with Mason sister
in Georgetown. His hair turned white so
soon after the fight as to cause much COM
ment. He has since been solicited to act
as second in duel, but refused, in accord
ance 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 himsel: mortally wounded,
each fully and freely forgave the other, still
laying on the ground. Decatur expired
Immediately, but Barron eventually recov-
cred.
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 1928, Midshipman Locke was killed
here by clerk of the Treasury Department
named Gibson. The latter was not hurt.
In 1926, Heary 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 Clays
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, and
alluded to the quiet sleep of her child and
the repose of the mother. Randolph quick.
y replied:
Il shall do nothing to disturb the sleep
of the child or the repose of the mother"
Gen. Jessup, whose funeral l attended
last week, was Clays second.
When MIR. Randolph fred, be remarked
81 do not shoot at you, MIR. Clay" and
extending his hand, he 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 coat"
Clay replied:
''Thapk 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
shot, when Sherborn said:
"Mr. Key, have no desire to kill you."
"No matter" said Key, Il came to kill
you"
"Very we'll, then," said Sherborn, Il will
kill you" And he did.
In 1888, w. j. Graves, of Kentucky, as.
suming the quarrel Of James Watson Webb
with Jonathan Cilley, of Maine, selected
this place for Cilley's murder but the par
ties learning that Webb, with two friends,
jackson and Merrell, were armed and in
pursuit, for the purpose of assassinating
Ciey, moved toward the river and nearer
the city. Their pursuers 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
CiIey.
In l845, 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.
In 1853, Davis and Ridgeway fought
here; Ridgeway allowed his antagonist to
fire without returning the shot.