Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1860-08-22
VOL. 6.--NO. 50.
THE GROUND OF DEATH

Bladensburg, in the District of Columbia
the celebrated duelling ground is thus des-
cribed by correspondent. The place, SO no.
ted for its polite aud refined murders, is about
five miles from the city of Washington. fresh
and handsome, in full livery of green, adorned
with flowers. and should blush in its beauty for
the scenes it has Witnessed Here, in beauti-
full little grass plat, surrounded by trees forms
made after the image of God, come TO insult
Nature and defy Heaven. In 1914. Edward
Hopkins was killed here in a duel. This seems
to have been the first of these fashionable mur-
ders on this duelling ground.
In 1919, A. I. 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. Nc
Carty named muskets, loaded with grape shot,
and so neartogether that they would hit heads,
II they fell on their faces. This was changed
by the seconds to loading with bullets and
taking twelve feet the distance. Mason
killed instantly, and McCarty who had his coll
lar bone broken, still lives with Mason sister
in Georgetown. His'hair turned white so soon
after the fight to cause much comment. He
has since been solicited to act second in a
duel, but refused in accordance with pledge
he made to his wife after killing her brother.
In 1880, Commodore Decatur was killed in
a duel here by Commodore Barron. At the
first fire both fell forward with their heads
supposed himself mortally wounded, each full
ly and freely forgave the other. still laying on
the ground Decatur expired immediately
but Barron eventually recovered.
In 1871, 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 1922, Mdshipmau Locke was-killed here
by Clerk Of the Treasury Department, nam
ed Gibson. The latter was not hurt.
In 1926, Henry Clay fought (his ID duel)with
John Randolph, just across the Potomac.
In 1882, Martin was killed by Carr Their
first names are not now remembered. They
were both from the South.
In 1888, Mr.. Key, son of Frank Key, and
brother of Barton Key, of Sickles notoIiety,
met Mr.. Sherborn and exchanged shot when
Sherborn said ssMr. Key, have no desire to.
kill you.o ono matter" said Key, 81 came
to kill you." Very well, then,'' said Sher-
born, ssI will now kill you,'' and he did.
In 1888, W. j. Graves of Kentucky, assum-
ing the quarrel of James Watson Webb with
Jon.a Cilley of Maine, selected this place for
Ciiley's murder, but the parties learning that
Webb. with two friends, jackson and MerreI
were armed and in pursuit, for the purpose OF
assassinating 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. Jalias had
a hostile meeting here. Dallas was shot in
the shoulder, but recovered.
In 1852, Daniel and Johnson, two Richmond
(Virginia) editors, held harmless Ito here,
which terminated in coffee.
In 1853, Davis and Ridgway fought here;
eidgway allowed his antagonist to fire with
0ut returning the shot,