The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1868-04-23
THE FIELD OF BLOOD.

The soil of Bladensburg, Maryland,
has a bloody record. 1t has been the
scene of many refined murder in days
past. One who visits the place now will
find the field green with verdure, which
few years since was trampled by the feet
of men arrayed in deadly hostility. Here,
on beautiful grass plot, surrounded 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 been
the first of these fashionable murders on
this dueling ground.
In 1919, A. r. Mason, United
States Senator from Virginia, fought with
his sisters husband, John NTCarty, here.
M'Carty was averse to fighting, and
thought there was no necessity for it but
Mason would fight-M'Carty named
muskets loaded with buckshot. and 50
near together that they would hit heads if
| 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 killed instantly, and
NJ Carly, who had his collar bone broken,
still lives with Mason's sister in George
town. His hair turned so white soon af>
ter the fight as TO cause much comment.
| He has since been solicited to act as sec
ond in duel, but refused, in accordance
with pledge made TO his wife, soon af-
ter killing her brother.
In 1920, Commodore Decatur was
killed here in duel by Commodore Bar
ron. At the first fire, both fell forward,
and lay with their heads within ten feet
of each other; and as each supposed him
self mortally wounded. each fully 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 Sc
ga was instantly killed The neighbors
only learned this much of their names
from the marks on the gloves left on the
ground. Lega was not hurt.
In 1922, Midshipman Locke was killed
here in duel with clerk of the trea-
sury department named Gibson. The
latter was not hurt.
In 1926, Henry Clay fought his second
duel with John Randolph, just across the
Potomac, as Randolph preferred to die,
if at all, on Virginia soil The latter
received Clay's shot and then fired his
pistol in the air. This was in accordance
with a declaration made to Mr.. Benton,
who spoke to Randolph of call the even
ing before on Mrs. Clay, and alluded 10
the quiet sleep of her child and the repoSc
of the mother. Randolph quickly replied,
81 shall DO nothing to disturb the sleep of
the child or the repose of the mother"
General Jessup was Clay's second
When Randolph fred he remarked 81
do not shoot at you, Mr.. Clay" and ex-
tending bis hand, advanced toward Clay,
who rushed to meet him. Randolph
showed Clay where the ball struck has
coat, and said facetiously, "Mr CLAY,
you owe me a coat" '"Thank God, the
debt is no greater" They were friends
ever after.
In 1882, Martin was killed here by
Carr. Their first names were not re-
membered. They were from the Son!h.
In 1888, MIR. Key, son of Frank Key,
and brother Of Barton Key of Sickles no
toriety met MIR. Sherbon, and SherboI
said, ''Mr Key, have no desire to Kill
you" ''No matter" said Key, Il
came to kill you" every well, then. =
said Sherbon, II will now kill you," and
he did.
In 1845, a lawyer named Junes
fought with and killed DR. johnson
In 1851, r. A. Hoole and A. J. Dali
las had a hostile meeting here. Dallas
was shot in the shoulder, but recovered.
In 1853, Daniel and johnson, two
Richmond editors, held harmless set-to
here, which terminated in coffee.
In 1858, Davis aud Ridgway fought
here Ridgway allowed his antagonist to
fire without returning the shot