Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1868-04-24
Bladensburg--A Field of Blood.

Bladensburg--A Field of Blood.
The soil of Bladensburg, Maryland, has
bloody record. Il has been the scene
of many murders in days past. One who
visits the place now will find the field
green verdue, which few years since was
trampled by the feet of men arrayed in
deadly hostility. Here, on beautiful
grasa-plot, surrounded by trees, forms
made after the image of God came to in
suit 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
the duelling ground.
In 1879, A. I. Mason, United States
Senator from Virginia, fought with his
sisters husband, John MeCarty here.
McCarty was averse to fighting, and
thought there was 50 necessity for it /; but
Mason would fight. McCarty named mus
kets loaded with buckshot, and so near
together that they would hit heads if
they fell on their faces. This was changed
bv the seconds to loading with bullets,
and taking twelve feet as the distance.
Mason was killed instantly, and McCar-
ty, who had his collar bone broken, still
lives with Mason's sister in Georgetown.
His hair turned white so.soon after the
fight rs 10 cause much comment. lie has
since heen solicited to act as second III g.
duel, but refused, in accordance with
pledge made to his wife, soon after 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 iorgaye the other, still lying en-
| 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 on the gloves left on the
ground. Lega was not hurt.
/ In 1922, Midshipman Locke was killed
/ here in duel with clerk of the treas
ury department named Gibson. The
latter was not hurt.
In 1926, Henry Clay fought his Sec
second duel With John Randolph, just
across the Potomac, as Randolph pre-
ferred to die, if at ell on Virginia soil.
The latter received Clay's shot and then
fred his pistol in the air. This was in
acceptance with declaration made to
Mr.. Benton who spoke to Randolph Of
call tha. evening before on Mrs. Clay,
and alluded to the quiet sleep of her
child and the repose of the mother. RAN
dolph quickly replied, II shall do moth
ing 10 disturb the sleep of the child or
the repose of the mother" General Jes-
sup was Clay's second. When Randolph
fred he remarked, II do not shoot at you,
Mr.. Clay" and extending his hand ad-
4 vanced toward Clay who rushed toward
him. Randolph showed Clay where the
ball struck his coat. said facetiously, "Mr.
. Clay, you owe me coat Thank God,
the debt is no greater" They were friends
ever after.
In 1882, Martin was killed here by
Carr. Their first names are not re-
membered. 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, MIR. Key, have no desire to kill
J you" Very well, then, said Sherbon,
: "I will now kill you," and he died.
In 1S45 lawyer named Jones fought
/ with and killed DIR. johnson.
In 1851. r. A. Hoole and A. j. Dallas
: had hostile meeting here. Dallas was
shot in the shoulder but recovered
, In 1852, Daniel and johnson. two
. Richmond editors, held harmless set-to
here, which terminated in coffee.
: In 1853, Davis and Railway fought
r here. Railway allowed his antagonist to
I fire without returning the shot.