The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1868-05-08
A Field of RIoo5

a Field OF Blood.
The soil Of Bladensburg, Maryland, has |
a bloody record. Il has been the scene Of |
many refined murder 10 days past. One
who visits the pla ce now viii find the field /
green with verdure, which few years ago |
was trampled by the feet of men arayed in
deadly hostility. Here. on a beautiful |
grass plat, surrounded by trees, forms
made afttr 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 Oh
this duelling ground.
In 1919, A. I. Mason, United States
Senator from Virginia, fought with his sis
ter's husband. John McCarly, here. Nc
Carly WAS averse to fighting. and thought
there was 20 necessity for it but Mason
would fight. McCarty named muskets,
loaded with buckshot, and so near together
that they would hit hands if they fell on
their faces. This was changed by the Sc
cOnds to loading with bullets, and taking
twelve feet as the distance. Mason was
killed instantly, and Nc Carly who had his
collar bone broken, still lives with Mason's
sister in Georgetown. His hair turned
white so soon after the fight as to cause
much comment. He has since been solicit
ed 10 act as second in a duel, but refused.
in accordance with a pledge made to his
wife soon after killing her brother.
In 1890. Commodore Decatur was killed
here in a 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 himself MORALLY
wounded, each fully and freely forgave the
other, still lying on the ground, Decatur
expired in few days, but Barron eventuf
ally recovered.
In 1891, two strangers, named Lega and
Sega, appeared here, fought, and Sega was
instantly killed, The neighbors only learn
ed this much Of their names from the
marks on the gloves left on the ground
Lega was not hurt.
In 1899, Midshipman Locke was killed
here ina duel with a clerk of the Treasu-
ry Department, named Gibson. The lat
ter 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 SC il. The latter receiy-
ed Clay's shot and then fred his pistol in
the air. This was in accordance with a
I T. h ,olyo
20 Randolph Of call the evening before on
Mrs Clay, and alluded to the quiet sleep
of her child. and the repose of the mother.
Randolph quickly replied, 81 shall do moth
ing to disturb the sleep of the child or the
repose Of the mother" Gen. Jessup was
, GIay's second. When Randolph fired he
remarked, 81 do not shoot at you, Mr.
Clay" and extending his hand, advanced
, toward Clay who rushed to meet him. Ran
t dolph showed Clay where the ball strucl
t his coat, aud said facetiously 4: ''Mr. Clay
5 you owe me a coat" THANK God, tht
debt is no greater They were friends
ever after.
In 1882, Martin was killed here by Carr
r Their first names were not remembered
They were from the South. In 1888, Mr.
Key, (son of Frank Key, and brother 0
Barton Key,) met Mr.. Sherbon, and Mr.
Sherbon said "Mr. Kay, l have no desir
to kill you" 'No matter" said Key, g.
: came to kill you" Very well, then,
said Sherbon, Il will now kill you" an
he did.
In 1876, lawyer named Jones Tough
with, and killed Dr.. Johnson.
In 1851, r. A. Hoole and A. ]. Dalla
had hostile meeting here. Dallas wa
shot in the shoulder, but recovered.
In 1858, Daniels and Johnson, two Rich
mond editors, held harmless set-lo here
which terminated in coffee.
In 1853, Davis and Ridgway Tough
0 here Ridgwsy allowing his antagonist t
fire without returning the shot.