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

Here, is beautiful little grass plot sur
rounded by trees forms, made after III,
image Of God, come to insult Nature anC
defy Heaven. In l64l, Edward Hopkins
was Killed here in duel This seemed
to be the first of three fashionable mur,
ders on this duelling ground.
In 1919, A. t. Mason, a United State
Senator from Virginia, fought with his sis
ter's husband, John McCarty, here. Nc,
Carty was averse to fighting and though,
there was no necessity for il but Masor
would fight. McCarty named muskets
loaded with grape shot. and so near &c
gether that they would hit heads if tbey
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 live,
with MaSon's sister in Georgetown. His
hair turned white soon after the foht
as to cause much comment. He has sincc
been sollcated to act as second in n dueI
but refused, IN accordance with a pledge
nc 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 SIM
posed himself himself mortally wounded
each fully and freely lorgave the other.
still lying on the ground.
Decatur expired Immediately, but Barr
ron eventually recovered
In 1871, two strangers named Lora and
Sega, appeared here, fought, and SEGA was
instantly killed. The neighborg onjv
learned this much of their names from
the marks on their gloves left on the
ground. Lega was not hurt.
In 1876, Henry Clay fought This second
duel) with John Randolph Just across the
Potomac as Randolph preferred to die
if Mt all, on Virginia soil. He receivei
Gays shot, and then fired into the air
This was in accordance with a 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 ofthe mother.
Randolph quickly replied:
- shall do nothing to disturb the sleep
OF the child or the repose of the moth.
er."
General Jessup, whose funeral attcn.
ded last week, was Clay's second.
Whom Randolph fired be remark
ed: '-''
81 do not shoot at you, Mr.. CLAW" and
extending his hand, advanced toward
Clay, who rushed to meet him. Randolph
showed Clay where his ball struck his
coat and iaceliously ; said "Mr. Clay you
owe me coat"
Clay replied:
"Ihank God the debt is no greater -,
They were friends ever after.
In 1892, Martin was killed bv Carr
lheir Irst names are not remembered.-
They we're from the South.
In 1888, Mr.. Key, son of Frank Kew,
and brother TO Barton Key, of Sicllles no,
toriety. met Mr.. Sherborn, and EXCHANGED
a shot, when Sherborn said:
Mr.. Key, l have no desire to kill
you" N'
YOU" '''''
VERY well, tnon," said sherborn, "I
will xii. you" And he did.
In 1888, w. j. Graves, of Kentucky. as.
suming the quarrel Of Jas. Watson Webb
with Jonathan Cilley, of Maine, selected
this place for Cilley's murder: but Che
parties learning that Webb, with two
friends, Jackson and Merroll, were armed
and in pursuit, for the purpose ofassassin.
ating Cilley, 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
tho corpse Of Cilloy.
In 1913, . lawyer named Jones. fought
with and killed Dr. johnson.
In 1851, Il. a, Hoole and A. J, Dallas
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 I6o5' Davis and Ridgoway fought
here Bidgevay allowed his antagonist to
fire misunderstanding the shot.