Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1861-03-07
3Hisrtllaneaus.
Bladehsburg Duelling Ground.

uC L hiiuutiPbio A<N'ycf 6ifS" oc"S
"reminiscences of this spot, which are at
once interesting and sad. Here, upon
the duelllng ground, in beautiful little
grass plot, surrounded by trees, forms
made after the image of God, come to
insult nature and defy heaven,
In 1914, Edward Hopkins was killed
in duel here. This seems the first fash
ionable murder of which this place was
the theatre.
In 1910, A. 7. Mason a United States
Senator from Virginia, fought with his
sisters husband, John McCarty, here,
McCarty was avsrse to fighting, aud
thought there was no necessity or it
but Mason would fight. McCarty named
muskets loaded with grape shot aud 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 rs the dis
tance. Mason was killed instantly, and
McCarty 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 comment. He
has since been solicited to act as sec.
ond in duel but refust d in accordance
with pledge he made to his wife soon
after killing her brother
In 1920, Commodore Decatur was
killed here in a duel by Commodore
Barron. At the first fire both fell for
ward, with their heads within ten feet Of
each other, and as each supposed him
self mortally wounded each freel y and
fully forgave each other, still lying on
the GROUND.
Decatur expired Immediately, but Bar
ron eventually recovered.
In 1921, two strangers named Lega
and Sega, appeared here fought. and Sc
ga was instantly killed The ncighbors
only learnt their names from the marks
on their gloves, Lega was not hurt.
1925, Midshipman Locke was killed
here by clerk of the Treasury Depart
ment named Gibson the latter was not
hurt.
In 1926, Henry Clay fought his Sec
ond duel with John Randolph across the
Potomac as Randolph preferred to die.
if at all on Virginia shore. He received
Clay's shot and then fired into the air.
This was in accordance with declara-
tion made by 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 quickly replied:
Il shall do nothing to disturb the sleep
of that child or the reposc of the moth
General Jessup whose funeral l atten-
ded Inst week, was Mr.. Clay's second.
When randolph fired he remarked:
4 do not shoot at you Mr.. Clay, and
extending his hand, advanced toward
Mr.. Clay, who rushed to meet him
Randolph showed Clay where his ball
struck his coat, and said thus facetiously
MIR. Clay you owe me coat
Clay replied:
Thank God the debt is no greater y
They were friends ever after.
In 1888, Martin was killed by Carr.
Their first names are not remembered.
They we're from the South.
Iu 1888. Mr. Key, son of Frank Key,
aud brother to Barton Key, of Sickles
notoriety, met Mr.. Sherborn, and exchan-
ged shot, when Mr.. Sherborn said:
., Mr.. KeyI have no desire to kill you
No matter said Key, i came to kill
you
Very well, tben.' said Sherborn, 4
will kill YOU Aud be did.
In 1883, j. W. Graves, Of Kentucky
assuming the quarrel of james Watson
Webb with jonathan Cilley Of Maine Sc
lected this place for Cilley's murder, but
the parties learning that Webb with two
friends jackson and Merrel, were armed
in pursuit for the purpose of assass'na.
ting Cilley, moved toward the river and
nearer the city. Their pursuers moved
tow ard the river but missed the parties.
and then returned 10 the city, to which
thew were soon followed by Graves and
the corpse of Cilles.
In 1845, lawyer mar ed Jones fought
and killed DR.. johnson.
In 1921, r. A. Hoole and A. j. Dal-
las had hostile meeting here. Dallas
was shot in the shoulder but recovered
In 1852, Daniel and johnson. two
Richmond editors, held a harmless set to
here which terminated in coffee.
In 1858, Davis and Ridgeway fought
here Ridgeway allowed his antagonist to
fire without returning the shot.