Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1868-05-29
The Bladensburg Dueling Ground.

DlauehsDurg, the famous duellng
ground is situated in Maryland, some
SIX Or eight miles from Washington.
There in beautiful little grass plot,
surrounded by trees, is where num-
Der Of the most noted duellists resort
ed to perform their deadly work.
In 1915, Edward Hopkins was kill
ed here in a duel. This seemed to
have been the first of these fashion
able murders on this duelling ground.
In 1919, A. S. Mason, a United
States Senator, fought with his sis
ter's husband, John McCarty. Mr..
McCarty was ayerse to fighting, and
thought there was no necessity for it !;
buts Mason would fight. McCarty
named muskets loaded with grapeshot
and so near together they would hit
heads if they fell or their faces. This
was changed by the seconds to load
ing with bullets, and taking twelve
feet as the distance. Mason was kill
ed instantly, and McCarty who had
his collar bone broken, still lives with
Mason's sister in Georgetown. His
hair turned white so soon after the
duel as to cause much comment. He
has since been solicited to act as sec
ond in a due, but refused, in accord
ance with pledge he made to his
wife soon after killing her brother.
In 1920, Com. Decatur was killed
in a duel here by Com. Barron. At
the first fire both fell forward, with
their heads within ten feat Of each
other and as each supposed himself
mortally wounded, each fully and free
ly forgave the other, still lying on the
ground. Decatur expired immmedi-
ately, bat Barron eventually recovered.
In 1921, two strangers, named lie
ga and Sega, fought here, and Sega
was instantly 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, Midshipman Locke was
killed here by a clerk of the Treasury
department named Gibson. The lat
ter was not hurt.
In 1926, Henry Clay fought Chi,
second duel) with John Randolph
just across the Potomac, as Randolph
preferred to die, il at all, on Virginii
soil. He received Clay's shot, auC
then fired in the air. This was il
accordance with a declaration mad,
to Mr.. Benton, who spoke to Ran
dolph of a call, the evening before, OF
Mrs. Clay, and alluded to the quie
sleep Of her child and the repose OF
the mother. Randolph quickly re
piled 81 shall do nothing to distur
the sleep of the child or the repose @
the mother" When Randolph fire.
he remarked: a do not shoot at yo
Mr.. Clay" and extended his hand, ad
vanced towards Mr.. Clay, who rushcu
to meet him. Randolph showed Nh
Clay whcrc.his ball struck his coat
and said, lacetiousIy; Mr. Clay, yo
owe me coat
Clay replied Thank God the deb
is no greater y They were friend
ever after.
In 1882. Martin was killed by Carr
Their first names are not remember
ed. They were from the south.
In 1922, Mr.. Key, son OF Franz
Key, and brother Of Barton Key, o
Sickles notoriety, met Mr.. Shcroorl
and exchanged shots, yaen oherOom
said:
"Mr Key, have no desire to xii
you"
mo matter" said Key, 4 came t
kill YOU"
"Very well then said SherborI
81 will now kill you And he did.
In 1888, W. J. Graves, OF Ker
lucky, assuming the quarrel Of Jane
Watson Webb with Jonathan Cille
of Maine, selected this place for G
ley's murder; but the parties learniI
that Webb, with two friends JacksC
and Merreu, were armed and in pa
suit, for the purpose Of assassinatil
Cilley, moved towards the river al
nearer the city. Their pursue
moved toward the river, but miss,
the parties, and then returned to Il
city, to which they were soon follow
by Graves and the corpse Of CiIIey