The States and Union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1868-1872, 1868-06-17
A FIELDOF BLOOD


Al eea gHl5S ~ T--- 2sGeo!6 j.iE
The soil of Bladensburg, Maryland
has bloody record. 1t has been tn
scene of many a refined murder ip. day
past. One who visits the place nov
will find the field green wiz h vcndure
which a few ysnrs since was traniTlee
/ by the feet of men arrayed in dead !
hostility. Here, on a beautiful grass
plat, surrounded by trees, forms made
after the image Of God came to insult
nature and defy heaven. d gpioiio
Y In 1914, Edward Hopkins was kill led
here in a duel This seems to have
been the FIRST of these fashionable muir
ders on this duelling ground. Z li32
In 1919, A. TaaMason, a United
States Senator from Virginia, fought
with his sisters husband, John Nc
Carty. here. McCa.ty was ayerse to
|. .fghtins. and .sthnfI91it there was no
necessity for it I; but Mason would fight
McCarty named muskets. loaded with
buckshot, and SO, near together that
they would touch heads if they fell
on their faces. This was changed by
the seconds to loading with bullets,
and taking twelve feet as the distanca
Mason was killed instantly, aud McCar-
ty, who had his collar bone broken,
still lives with Mason sister in George
town. His hair turned white so soon
after the fight as to cause Comment
He has since been solicited to act as
second in duel. but refused to his
wife, soon after killing her brother.
In 1920, Commodore Decatur was
killed in duel by Commodore Barron,
At the first fire, both fell forward, and
lay with their heads within ten feet of
each other; and as each supposed him
self mortalIy wounded, each fully and
freely forgave the other, still lying on
the ground. Decatur expiredsiE few
days, but Barron eventually recover
ed.
In 1888, two strangers, named Lega
and Sega, appeared here. fought, and
Sega was instantly killed. The neigh
bors only learned this much of their,
names from the marks on the gloves on
the ground. Lega was not hurt.
In 1922, Midshipman Lake was kill
ed here in duel with a clerk Of the
Treasury Department. named Gibson
The latter was not hurt. Ba
In 1926, Henry Clay fought his see
ond 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 fred his pistol in the air. This
was in accordance with a declaration
made to Mr.. Benton, who spoke to Ran
dolph of call the evening before on
Mrs. Clay, and alluded to the quiet
sleep of her child and the repese Of
the motheil Randolph quickly rcpli-
ed, ~ shall do nothing to disturb the
sleep of the child or the repose of the
mother "Gen. Jessup was Clay's sec
ond when Randolph fired he re
81 do not shoot at you, Mr.
Clay" and, extending his hand, ad-
toward Clay, who rushed to
meet him. Randolph showed Clay
where the bali struck bis coat, and said
Gactiously, "Mr. Clay, you owe me .
greater" They were friends ever af-
ter. 'I'
In 1882, Martin was killed here By
Carr. Their first names are not re-
menLbered They were from the
South. ..-
In 1888, Mr.. Key, (son of Frank
Key, and brother of Barton Key, OF
Sickles notoriety,) met Mr.. Sherbon,
and Sherbon said, "Mr. Key, have
no desire to kill you "No natter"
said Key, 81 came to kill you"
every well, them" said Sherbon, 81
will now kill you = and he did.
In 1851, r. "A. Hoole and A. j
Dallas had a hostile meeting here,
Dallas was shot in the shoulder, but
Tn 1852, Daniels and johnson, two
editors, held harmless set
to here, which terminated in coffee.
In 1852, Davis and Ridgway
fought here. Ridgway allowed his
antagonist to, FIRE without returning
the shot.
q In 1915, lawyer named Jones
fought with and killed a Dr.. johnson