Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1867-03-21
a Field, of Blood.

| the place now wlll ind the held green Win
verdure, and here and there, flowers spring
from the sod whiclo few years since was
trampled by the feet q men arrayed in deadly
hostility. Here, on beautiful grass plat, sur
rounded by trees, forms made after the image
Of God came 10 insult nature AMI defy heaeen.
In 1914, Edward Hopkins was killed here
in duel. This seems to have been the first
Of those fashionable murders OF this ddelling
ground.
! In 1919, A. T. Maspr, a UnitSd States
Senator, from Virginia, fought with his sister s
husband. John McCarty, here. McCarty was
averse TO fighting, and thought there was no
necessity for it; but Mason would light
McCarty named muskets loaded with buck
shot and so near together that they would hit
heads il they fell on their faces This was
changed by the seconds to loa'iing with bul-
lets and taking twelve feet as the distance
Mason was killed instantly, and MeCarty, who
had his collar bone broken, still lives with bis
sister in Georgetown His hair turned white
so soon after the fight as TO cause much COM
n.ent. lie has since been solicited TO act as
second in duel but refused in accordance
with pledge made TO his wife soon after Kill
ling her brother.
In 1920, Commodore Decatur was killed
here in duel by Commodore Barron. AT the
first fire both fell forward and lay within ten
feet of each other, and each supposed himself
mortally wounded each fully and freely for
gave the other, still lying on the ground. De-
catur expired in a few days. but Barron even
tually recovered.
In 1921, two strangers, named Legs and
Sega, appeared here, fought, and Sega was in
stantly 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, Midshipmsn Locke was killed
here in duel with clerk Of the Treasury
Department, named Gibson. The latter was
not hurt.
In 1926, Henry Clay fought-his second
duel-with John Randolph, just across the Po-
tomac, as Randolph preferred to die, IL at all,
on Virginia soil; the latter received Clays shot
and then fred his pistol in 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 teposo OF the
mother. General Ju.up was Clay second
When Randolph fred, he remarked 81 do
not shoot at you, Mr. Clay" and extending
| his band, advanced towards Clay, who rushed
to meet him. Randolph showed Clay Where
his ball struck his coat, and said facetiousy
Mr.. Clay, YOU owe me coat Clay replied
Thank God, the debt isno greater They
were friends ever after.
In 1882, Martin was killed here by Carr
Their first names atc not remembered. They
were from the South.
In 1888, Mr.. Key tson Of Frank Key and
brother of Barton Key, Of Sickles noiorietyl
met Mr.. Sherbon, and Sherbon said: "Mr.
Key. have no desire to kill you" "No mat
ter. Key said, al come to kill you VERY
well then" said Shcrbon, Il will kill you,
and he did.
In 1898, wm. j. Graves, of Kentucky, re-
suming the quarrel of James Watson Webb
and Jonathan Cilley, of Maine, selected this
place, nnl Cilley was killed.
In ls45. a lawyer named Jones, fought with
ard killed DR.. johnson. In 1851, II. a.
House and a. J. Dallis had hostile meeting.
Dals was shot in the shoulder, but recovered.
In 1852. Daniel and Johnson, two Richmond
c litors. held harmless set-to-herc, which ter
minated in coffee In 1855. Davis and Ridge
way fought here Ridgeway allowed his an
tagon.t to fire without returning the shot.
"MARK TwAIy. Mark advertiscs TO lee
ture at Nevada. and concludes bis card as fol-
lows:
After The lecture is over, the lecturer will
perform the following wonderful featsof Sleight
of Hand. il desired to do so 40 given sig
nal he will 90 out with any gentleman and
take drink II desired, he viii repeat this
unique and interesting feat--repeat it until the
audience are satisfied that there is no odeception
about it. At moments warning. he will de-
part out Of town and leave his hotel bill unset
tied. lie has performed this ludicFous trick
many hundreds OF times, in San Francisco and
elsewhere, and it has always elected the most
enthusiastic comments. At any hour Of tie
night. after ten, the lecture. *ill 90 through
any house in the city--no matter hcw dark il
may be and take an inventory ii its contents,
and not miss as many articles as tho owner
will in the morning. The lecturer declines To
specify any more Of bis miraculous feats at
present, for fear Of ee.dng the police zoo tauch
interested in bis Circus.
|
WITTy GIRL.-A poor family in the lower
end ot town, says the Napa County Reporter,
had been charitabIy granted permission TO use
Gre wood free OF charge from long wood pile
Of corded wood on the bank Of the river, but
in commenting at the wrong end Of the pile,
the foundation vas weakened and the entire lot
slipped On the ground, and portion went of
with the tide. The kind hearted giyer spoke
in vcxcd tone OF the affair that evening at the
supper table, and took occasion 10 say that the
/ L. lof.oI IN in