The Lincoln County herald., 1867-05-10
A Field OF Blood.

The soil Of Bladcnsburg, Md. has a
bloody record. It has been tho scene Of
many a refined murder in days past
One who visits the place will find tho
held green with veriurc, and here and
there flowers arc springing from tho sod
which few years since was tramplcd by
tho feet Of mon arrayed in deadly hostil-
ity' Herc, on beautiful plot, surround.
ed by trees, forms made by the image Of
God came TO insult nature and DEFY
heaven.
In 1914, Edward Hopkins was killed
in duel, This seems to have been the
first Of these fashionable murders of this
duelling ground.
In 1910, A. T. Mason a United States
Senator, from Virginia, fought with his
sisters husband, John McCarty, here. -
McCarty was nverse to fighting, and
thought there was 10 necessity for it,
But Mason would fight. McCarty NAM
ed muskets loaded with buckshot, and 40
near together tnat they would hit heads
it they fell on their faces. This was
changed by the seconds to loading with
bullets, and taking twelve feet as the dis
tance. Mason was kill,d instantly, and
McCarty, who had his collar bone brok-
en-, still lives with his wife, (Nasous sis.
tory in Georgetown. His hair turaed
white SO soon after tho fight as to cause
much comment. lie has since been solic.
itod to act as second in duel, but rcius-
cd, in accordance with a pledge made to
his wife soon after killing her brother.
In 1920, Commodore Decaturc was kill
cd here IN duel, by Commodore Barron.
At the first fire both fell on the ground
and lay within ten feet Of each other, and
as each supposed himself mortaly wound.
ed each fully and freely forgavc the 9th.
err still lying on the ground. Decaturo
expired in few days, but Barron cventu.
ally recovered.
In 1871 two strangers named Legn
and scgo appeared here fought, and Sc.
60 was instantly killed. TIC uciebors
only learned this much Of their names
from the marks on their gloves loft Oh
the ground. Lega was not hurt.
In 1922, Alidshipman Locke was killed
here in duel with clerk Of the Trcos.
urh Department named jibson. IT,,
latter was not injured.
In 1926, Henry Clay fought his second
duel, with John Randolph, just across
the Potomac, as Randolph preferred to
dio' fiat all, on the old Virginia ground;
the latter received Clay's shot, and then
fired his pistol in tho air This was in
accordance with declaration made to
Mr.. Benton, who spoke to Randolph of
call the evening before on Mrs. CLAW,
and alluded to the quiet sleep Of her
child and the repose of the mother
General Jcssup was Clay's second. When
Randolph fred he remarked, II do not
shoot at you, Mr.. Clay" and extending
bis hand, advanced towards Clay, who
rushed to meet him. Randolph showed
clay where his ball struck his coat, and
said facetiously, "Mr. Clny you owe me
a coat ClayIr.pliod, "Thauk God the
debt 10 no greater" Tho were friends
ever after. ...,t.
In 1892, Martin was killed horc bv
Carr, Their 6rst names wero not rcucm.
bercd. They wore from the South.
In 1888, Mr. Koy [son Of Frank Key
and brother Of Barton Key, Of Siokles 10.
toricty] met Mr.. Sherborn, an Shcrbornr
said, key, I have no desire to kill you.
"No matta'," said Key, II come to kill
you. every we'll thOn.' said SherJoru,
81 will kill you; end he did. ID '''' .,
1n 1898. W. ]. Graves Of Kentucky
assuming the quarrel Of James Watson
Webb and Johnathan Iilley, Of Maine,
selected this place for Cilleys murder,
but the parties learning that Webb, with
two friends, Jackson and Morrcl, wcrs
) armed and in pursuit, for the purpose Of
assassinating Cilley, moved towards the
river, and nearer the city. Their pur-
suers also 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 Cillcy.
In ls4s lawyer named Jones fought
with and killed DR.. johnson. In 1881.