Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-04-23
A Fiald Of blood.

The soil Of Bladensburg, Maryland,
has a bloody record. 1t has been the
scene of many refined murder in days
mast. One who visits the place now will
find the field green with verdure, (which
a few years since was trampled by the
feet of men arrayed in deadly hostility.
Here, on beautiful grasss plot, sur
rounded by trees, forms made after the
image of God, came to insult nature and
defy heaven. In 1914, Edward Hopkins
was killed here in duel. This seems to
have besn the first of these fashionable
murders on this duelling ground. In
1873. A. T. Mason, United States SEN
ator from Virginia, fought with his sis
ter's husband, John McCarty, here. Nc
Carly was averse to fighting. and thought
there was no necessity for it; but
Mason would fight. McCarty named
muskets, loaded with buckshot, and
80 near together that they would hit
heads If they fell on their faces. This
was changed by the seconds to leading
with sulets, and taking twelve feet as the
distance. Mason was killed instantly,
and McCarty, who had bis collar bone
broken, still lives with Mason's sister IN
Georgetown. His hair turned white 50
soon after the fight as to cause much
comment. He has since been solicited
to act as second in duel, but refused, in
accordance with a pledge made to his
wife soon afier killing her brother. 10
1920. Commodore Decatur was killed
here in duel by Commodore Barron.
At the first fire both fell forward, and
Law with their heads within ten feet
of each other; and as each supposed
himself mortally wounded, eachfully and
freely forgave the other, still lying on
the ground. Decatur expired in few
days. but Barron eventually recovered.
In 1921, two strangers, named Lega and
Sega, appeared here, fought, and Sega
was instantly killed. The neighbors
only learned this much of their names
from the marks of the gloves left on the
ground. fLega was not hurt. In 1922,
Midshipman Locke was killed here in
duel with a clerk of the Treasury De-
partment, named Gibson. The latter was
not hurt. In 1926, Henry Clay fought
his second duel with John Randolph just
across the Potomac, as Randolph pre-
ferred to die, if at all, on Virginia soil The
latter received Clay's shot and then fired
his pisto! in the air. This was in ac-
cordance with declaration made to Mr..
Benton, who spoke to Randolph of call
the evening before on Mrs. Clay, andsal-
luded to the quiet sleep of her child,
and the repose of the mother. Randolph
quickly replied, 81 shall do nothing to
disturb the sleep of the child or the re-
pose of the mother" General Jessup
was Clay's second. When Randolph
Sired he remarked, II do not shoot at
you, Mr.. Clay" and extending his hand,
advanced toward Clay who rushed to
meet him. Randolph showed Clay where |
the ball struck his coat, and said face
tiously: nMr. Clay, you owe me coat"
THANK God, the debt is no greater"
They were friends ever after. 10 1882,
Martin was here killed by Carr. Their
first names were not remembered. They |
were from the South. 10 1888, Mr.. Key,
(son Of Frank Key, and brother Of Bar
ton Key,) met Mr.. Sherbon. and Mr. |
Sherbcn said: "Mr. Key, / have no
desire to kill you" "No matter" said |
Key, II came to kill you" VERY well,
then" said Sherbon, ~ will now
kill you," and he did. In ls45, a
lawyer named Jones fought with, and
killed DIR. johnson. In 1851, R. A. Hoole
and A. J. Dallas had a hostile meeting
here Dallas was shot in the shoulder,
hut recovered In 1853, Daniels aud
johnson, two Richmond editors, held
harmless set-to here, which terminated
in coffee. In 1858, Davis and Ridgway
fought here; Ridgway allowing his an
tagonist to FIRE without returning the shot