South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1868-04-03
A FIELD OF BLOOD.

The soil Of Bladensburg, Nd, has bloody re-
cord. IL has been the scene OF many u refined
murder in days past. One who visits the place
now will find the field green with verdure, which
a few years since was uampled By the feet OF
men arrayed in deadly hostility. Here, on a
beautiful grass-plot, surrounded by trees, forms
made after the image Of God came 10 insul, ma
ture 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. 7. Mason, United States
Senator from Virginia, fought with his
sisters husband, John McCarty, here. =
McCarty was averse TO lighting, and thought
there was no necessity for it; but Mason
would fight. McCarty named muskets,
loaded with buckshot, and so 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 distance Mason was
killed instantly, and McCarty, who bad his
collar bone broken, still lives with Ma
sons sister in Georgetown. His hair turn
ed white so soon after the fight as TO cause
much comment. He has since been solicit
ted to act as second in duel, but refused,
in aceor lance with a pledge made to his
wife, soon after killing her brother.
In 1920, Commodore Decatur was killed
here 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 himself NOR
tally wounded, each fully aud freely for
gave 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 Sega was
instantly killed. The neghbors only learn
ed this much Of their names from the marks
on the gloves left on the ground Lego
was not hurt
In 1922, Midshipman Locke was killed
here In duel with clerk of the treasury
department named Gibson. The latter wa:
not hurt
In 1926, Henry Clay fought his second
duel with John Randolph, just across the
the Potomac, as Randolph preferred to die
if at all, on Virginia soil. The latter re.
coived Clay's shot and then fired his pistol
in the air. This was in accordance with
declaration made to Mr.. Benton, who
spoke to Randolph of call the evening be-
fore on Mrs. Clay, and alluded to the quiet
sleep of her child and the repose of the
mother. Randolph quickly replied, al
shall do nothing to disturb the sleep of the
child or the repose of the mother" Gen
eral Jessup was Clay's second. When Ran
dolph fired he remarked, 81 do not shoot
at you, Mr. Clay" and extending his hand
lvanced towards Clay, who rushed to meet
him. Randolph showed Clay where the
ball struck his coat, and 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 remembered
They were from the South
In 1888, Mr.. Key, (son of Frank X ey
and brother Of Barton Key of Sickles noto-
riety) met Mr. Sherbon, and Sherbon said
"Mr. Key, | have no desire to kill you. u
ono matter" said Key, 81 came to Kill
you" avery well, then" said Sherbon
81 will now kill you," and he did
In lS45, lawyer named Jones fought
with and killed a DR. johnson.
In 1881, II. A. I1oolc and A. j Dallas
bad hostile meeting here. Dallas was
shot in the shoulder, but recovered.
In 1852, Daniel and johnson, two Rich
mond editors, held harmless sct-to here
which terminated in coffee.
In 1898, Davis and Bidgeway Tough
here; Ridgeway allowed his antagonist t,
fire without returning the shot