Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1865-09-16
Eield of Blood.

he SOL! ol BIddens6uTg, Maryland,
has bloody record; il has been the scene
Of many refined murders in days past.
One who visits the place now will find
the field green with Verdure, and here
and there flowers springing from the sod
which few years since was tramPled by
the feet Of men arrayed IN deadly hosul-
iDy. Here, on beautiful grass plot, sur
rounded bv trees, forms made after the
image Of God came 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 murders on
the daeIlmc ground.
In 1919. A. NJ Nason,a United States
Senator, tom Virginia, fought with his
sisters husband, John McCarty, here.
McCarly was averse TO lighting, and
thought there was no necessity for 1t, but
Mason would fight McCr,v named
musket, loaded win bucksbor, and so
near roge'hrr that they would lit heads
if they fell on their faces. This was
changed by Tie seconds to loading with
bullets, and taking twelve feet as the dis
lance. Mason was killed Instantly, and
McCarly had his collar bone broken, and
still lives, with his sister, in Georgetown.
His hair turned white so soon after the
hght as to cause comment. lie has since
teen solicited to act as second in duel.
bot refused in accordance with pledge
made to his wife soon after killing her
brother.
10 1920, Commodore Decatur was Kill
led here in a duel by Commodore Barron.
At ;he first fire bolh fell forward, and lay
within ten feet of each Other, and each
Supposed himself NOR ally wounded.
Each fully and freely lorgave the other
srII lying on the ground Decatur CXpr-
ed in lsw days, but Barron eventually
recovered.
In 1921, two strangers named Lega and
Sega, appeared here, fought, and Sega
was instantly killed. The neighbors on.
" learned his much Of their names from
the marks on theil gloves left on the
ground. Lega was not hurt.
In 1922, miJshipman Locke was Kill
led here in a duel with clerk in the
Treasury Department named Gibson.
The latter was not hurt.
In 1926, Henry Clay fought his second
duel with John RondoIph, just across the
Potomac, as Randolph, preferred TO dre,
# at all on Virginia soil. The latter re-
ceived Clays shot, and then fired his
pistol in the air. This was in accordance
with declaration made to Mr.. Benton,
who spoke to Randolph Of call The even
ing before on Mrs. Clay, and alluded TO
the qoict sleep Of her child, aud The re-
pose OF its mother. Gen, Jessup was
CIay's second, When Randolph fired,
he remarked Il do not shoot at you,
Mr.. Clay" extending his hand, advanced
toward Mr.. Clay, who rushed to meet
hlm. Randolph showed Clay his coat,
and said faeetiousIy: "Mr. Clay, you
owe me coat" Clay replied, "Thank
God The deb, is no greater" They
were friends ever after.
In 1882, Martin was killed by Carr.
rheu first names are not remembered.
They were from the South.
In 1888, Mr.. Key, son of Frank Key,
and brother of Barton Key, Of SicGles
notorieiy, me! Nr. Sberborn, and Mr..
said "Mr Key, ! have no de-
sire 10 kill you" mo matter" said
Key,"I came to kill you." "Very well,
then" said Sherborn, II will kill you"
and he did,
In 1898, w. ]. Graves, Of Kentucky,
assuming the quarrel of James Watson
Webb and Jonathan CiIley, of Maine, Sc
Iected this place for Ciley's murder, bot
The parties learning that Webb with two
friends, Jackson and Morrell were armed
and in pursuit Of the assassnators of Gu .
ey, moved toward the river and nearer
he city. Their Pursuers also moved TO
he river, but missed The parties, End re.
turned 10 the city, where they were soon
followed by Graves and the corpse of
Cllley.
In l545, lawyer named Jones fought
and killed DR.. Johnson.
In 1851, r. A. Rouse and A. J. Dallas
had hostile meeting here. Dallas was
,hot in The shoulder but recovered.
In 1852, Daniels aud Johnson two
Richmond editions, held harmless set 10
lere, which terminated in coffee.
In 1854. Davis and Ridgsway fought
lere Ridgeway allowed his antagonist
o 6re without returning the shot.
The Government is still running the
Winchester road from Harper's Ferry TO
Depot, in grealy'imProv-
ID condition over former times, having
the track with heavy rails IN